BOURNE TAKE VICTORY AFTER TRY FEST AT MILKING NOOK DROVE

Kempston were more awake at the start, they kicked off and the ball was left by Bourne so they gained possession, a neat kick over the top by the fly half took a wicked bounce and retained by the Kempston player who went on to score an unconverted try. 0-5 after 1 minute.

Straight from the kick off the determination to make amends was shown , the forwards chased down the ball and after good work from Douglas and Appleby were awarded a penalty under the posts which was converted by Tom Dixon 3-5, Bourne were straight back on the attack with Rossi gathering the ball and making a 50m gain up to the opposition 10m line where at the pursing maul Kempston were penalised.

Dixon stepped up again but unfortunately missed on this occasion. Pressure continued from the Bourne forwards with good pressure from Hume and Bonham turning the ball over and allowing Jack Berry to run in a try from the 22m, the conversion was missed. 8-5

Thornburn caught the ball from the restart and under pressure on his 22 produced a side steps ‘Nogs’ would be proud of to beat his man and clear up to halfway, the line out was lost and Kempston ran the ball back being held up by strong tackles from Ewan Jones and Andy Dixon but still managed to score in the corner unconverted. 8-10

Bourne were putting continuous pressure on the Kempston defence with forwards and backs working well together to move the ball around an the pressure showed when Rossi again fielded the ball at fullback pass on to Ewan Jones who made a break and at contact offload to Dan Bonham who was in support to score under the posts. Dixon converted for the extra 2 points. 15-10

A forwards drive from Kempston was stopped by the deliberate collapsing of the maul and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try which was converted. 15-17. Although under pressure in the scrum Bourne were winning their own ball thanks to the hooking of Rhys Powell and stability at the No8 from Faversham, from a scrum on half way Thornburn passed to Dixon who in turn passed to Rossi who came into the line from fullback, play went through 3 phases before the line was finally broken by Jack Berry and Bonham was again in support to score again. 20-17 .

At this point Bonham left the field either with exhaustion or jug prevention and was replaced by Mark Thomas. Kempston continued to kick possession back to Bourne and Andy Dixon took his chance of picking up the loose ball he drew his man and gave a try making pass for Rossi to run in. 25-17. Kempston scored a penalty just before half time to make the score 25-20.

The 2nd half again started with Bourne in charge, Faversham picked up from the base of the scrum and passed to Rob Bentley who scored in the corner, unconverted. 30-20. In the lineout Bourne were also managing to take all their own ball, with good jumping from Ant Cooke and John Hume combined with accurate throw of Powell. Jack Berry caught a loose kick and passed inside to Tom Dixon who managed to stay on his feet from a tap tackle and score another unconverted try. 35-20.

Bourne then did their best to let Kempston back in the game, perhaps it was the sight of Paul Mabey on the touchline, without water bottles in his arms , no one runs the water on quite like Paul, or a lapse in concentration, either way Kempston scored two unanswered trys one of which was converted to bring the score to 35-32 with 15minutes left to play.

Adam Binns was now on at scrum half after his half season sabbatical and Berry had moved to fly half with Liam Croker partnering Bentley in the centre, Bonham had now recovered and also was back on the pitch. Binns was bossing the scrum and for forwards were on the charge, Neil Wood took on the ball down the wing , but unfortunately was forced into touch.

Bourne were however retaining the ball and running down the clock. A further Bourne scrum on half way led to a pick up at No8 by Faversham who had a 30m run to just inside the Kempston 22, a penalty was awarded and there was no hesitation in pointing to the posts. With Dixon off the field Jack Berry took the kick and slotted it home to give a 6 point cushion. 38-32

Bourne held on to get the win in a game of 11 trys, their fitness held to the end in a much improved performance.

Bourne now train twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays and are always looking for new players of all abilities, why not come down and have some fun, or contact us on 07885 945245

Man of the match : Dan Bonham

Coaches Quote: We held our nerve to gain the win

Rugby Quote : Rugby is not just a sport, it’s a way of life.