The club also welcomed old and new members to the season’s first club luncheon, a generous spread of traditional food and beverages, as a pre-match treat. Club Chairman, Ted Thornburn, toasted the club, the grub and the Queen and then focus quickly turned to the day’s dessert, a true clash of the Titans between two teams that were were 4 places apart and were16 points above us!!
A capacity crowd flocked to the game, a must-win match for Bourne to ensure a mid-table finish this season. With a robust team of players, this was surely going to be the game for Bourne to show off their hard work and commitment to training. Drilled, skilled and manicured, the selected players confidently emerged from the changing room, keen to show why they’d earned their First Fifteen places.
The noisy mob were not disappointed, with tries coming early for Dan Bonham who went on to score his first hat trick of the season, probably due to his new go-faster haircut. Luckily, Adam Binns had a new kicking tee for his birthday and was able to put it to good use as Bourne raced ahead; the ball slotted over the posts time after time.
A hoary Corby side played old school up-ya-jumper rugby; they never gave up, but were no match for Bourne’s slick handling skills and continuity in attack. Unsurprisingly, the blue and gold blur was hard to catch with Tom Dixon executing clean passes to Centres Binns and Berry, and Full-Back ‘Kiwi Tom’. Unfortunately, Jack Berry sustained a hair-related injury and was forced to rest, but safe-hands Jordan ably replaced him. During the second half, tries came thick and fast. Suddenly, the crowd went wild when veteran Simon Sleight, who has recently made his return to the big stage, scored a storming five-yard charge, draped with Corby players, under the posts. An electric atmosphere set the side-line screaming for our very own Shakin’ Stevens and “Sleighty, Sleighty, give us a wave” could be heard echoing across the fens.
Shortly after, pressure on the Corby try line allowed Niall Wood a chance to gain more points for the Milking Nook Boys, much to the distress of the Corby crowd. Strength in depth shone as replacements Xanti Xipu, Danny Bishop and Paul Mabey seamlessly bolstered the team and rested weary legs. Bourne’s defence was impeccable: a mobile back row (plus John Hume) fiercely tackling the fringes and an iron back line pressurising Corby into making mistakes, turning over a huge quantity of opposition possession. Corby had no chance of breaking the ranks and found no way through, over or around the impenetrable wall of blue.
Throughout the game, Bourne’s pack was on the charge and unstoppable, constantly forcing Corby backwards. Scrum-Half, Dave Thornburn, chased the scrummage like a terrier after a ball. The backs retained their shape and remained composed at all times. Working hard for Bourne, Wingers Josh Jordan-Bonney and Rob Bentley were always ready to punish the opposition defence out wide, spreading the ball and the game to great effect, regularly finding top gear and accelerating down the flanks. Full Back, new boy and import ‘Kiwi Tom’ controlled the back line well and showed that he was comfortable deep in the field. Support play worked particularly well for Bourne and this enabled the play to stay dynamic, an advantage for the younger team.
The final score, Bourne 75-0 Corby, has made Bourne’s mid-table aspirations a growing reality. Next week sees local rivals Bourne and Deeping playing their first league game in a decade, due to Deeping’s relegation this year. This game is not to be missed and will definitely be a display of athleticism and club pride. The next club luncheon will be in December and a festive feast is guaranteed.!

Coaches Man of the Match - Simon Sleight