Bourne were back in league action this week against a Brackley side that have always been tough opposition, the away fixture had resulted in a 55 to nil defeat earlier in the season and 2 years ago by in excess of 100pts, so it was always going to be a tough fixture. Bourne had a strong team out with a few new faces making their league debuts after injuries and Paul Mambey’s appearance in panto had stretched the squad. Conditions were good and the pitch look in top shape after tireless work by Glyn Jones getting it ready for the match.
Brackley kicked off and a confident shout from Hume gave Bourne decent ball and a platform to start from, the backs moved the ball and made good ground , when they hit contact , Cooke in the back row was there to secure the ball aided by Lindley, the backs again shipped the ball Dixon beating his man and passing to Harby who took the ball out of the Bourne half into contact, Brackley were deemed to be offside at the breakdown and Bourne award a penalty just inside the opposition half. Although a slight back wind was present it was a ambitious kick, but Binns stepped up and converted the penalty quite comfortably, 3-0. The restart was again claimed by Bourne Xanti this time doing the honours and with Wood and Cooke making the ball secure, Thornburn had plenty of time to pass to Dixon who booted up field for his backs to chase. Ewan Jones and Harby put good pressure on the Brackley backs slowing the ball down, continued pressure resulted in a penalty for Bourne, which Thornburn took quickly supported by Lindley a good 20m was made before Brackley were again penalised, Dixon kicked ahead to the Brackley 22. Xanti threw accurately to Hume, but the Brackley defence was strong so the backs were given another chance to run the ball, this was stopped in Midfield at Binns but again judged illegal by the referee which gave Binns another kick at goal a closer attempt but on the angle this time, again his kick was straight through the middle 6-0.
Bourne had gained confidence from the early points scoring and the backs were putting together some good moves, Dixon and Binns were combining well and Berry was taking every opportunity to come into the line from full back, young Jack Lagdon on the wing this week even had time to show boat with blind passes from behind his back! Bourne were playing smart rugby taking the ball to the opposition then when nothing is on kicking ahead to pin the opposition deep in their own half. Brackley had tried time and time again to run the ball out of their half but with Ed Cooke and Dylan Jones both at the top of their tackling game and everyone else keeping discipline, working the defensive line their only option was to kick. One boot forward over the Bourne defence was chased by their speedy centres; Berry did great work in getting back collecting the ball and somehow clearing whilst facing his own posts giving Brackley a lineout just outside the 22. Brackley took the ball but not cleanly and the resulting maul saw Thornburn rip the ball and set off down the blindside, he beat his man and fed Xanti who showed his usual dancing skills in beating his man , only to miss judge the pass to Ewan Jones who could have gone all the way up the tram lines. Instead another lineout took place, this time Brackley won the ball cleanly but play was halted in midfield with a big tackle from Dixon, Bourne drove into the ruck and won the ball only for the referee to stop play shouting out “who said that”? All the Brackley players pointed at Thornburn and the referee showed a Red card, which he swiftly changed to Yellow when he realised he did not really know who it was. Either way Bourne were down to 14 men for 10 minutes and Brackley had a kickable penalty, justice was done when the kick was missed and Dixon cleared downfield with a massive 22 drop out.
Brackley were trying to take advantage of the extra man but the Bourne defence was holding out with the ball being turned over and kicked back down into their own 22 on several occasions, Berry ambitiously tried to break the line and flyhacked the ball forward, he then again showed his footballing skills kicking on again, behind the defence leaving a foot race between him and the fullback his dive at the ball was just enough and the referee awarded a try under the posts, Binns converted 13-0 half time.
The kick off was chased down by the Bourne pack and hands were got on the ball resulting in a scrum, although not dominant the scrum had held its own with debutant Bradley Hiscocks and John Hume in the engine room, Wood and Sleight had managed to keep a steady ship for Xanti to take his own ball, Lindley was also marshalling well at No8, which was giving the backs something to work with. Dixon took the ball forwards passing to Harby who in turn gave to Berry who came into the line, he straightened the move before giving to Binns and finally onto wing Lagdon who brought play back in field, Dylan Jones secured the ball and Thornburn found Sleight who ran a good line with his usual war cry, but came up against a brick wall of Brackley forwards, it was recycled and Wood moved the ball a few metres further, it was now the backs turn again and Harby took the ball into contact at which point Brackley again got penalised at the breakdown, Binns stepped up and made the penalty 16-0
At this point Bourne made a couple of changes Patty came on in place of Dylan Jones in the back row and Dave Hill coming on in the 2nd Row, his first game for the club after some hard work in the training ground. He instantly made himself known at the first breakdown hitting it hard leading to the Bourne pack completely destroying Brackley and leading to another penalty. Dixon kicked for the corner on this occasion looking for a try; unfortunately Brackley turned over the ball and kicked down field to clear their lines. The run of the ball went in favour of Brackley and their centres interchanged passes, despite attempts at tackles by Dixon and Cooke somehow they managed to get to score in the corner despite a last gasp attempted tackle by Berry, who thought the player had been forced into touch. The decision was left with the referee and he awarded a try. 16-5. There was 10 minutes left and Bourne were straight back on the attack from the re start A good move from Bourne saw both Jones and Lagdon involved as each time the ball went into contact the forwards recycled it, after5or 6 phases the move unfortunately broke down when after good footwork Binns passed to Cooke and the referee judged it to be forward, Bourne turned over the resulting scrum and attacked again only to be stopped illegally on the 22. Binns had no hesitation in pointing at the posts and scored to make the score 19-5 and bring his personal tally to 14. With not long left Bourne managed to keep hold of the ball and earn a well deserved win, by a great team effort, final score 19-5.
Coaches Quotes- Training does pay dividends! About Time!
Men of the match = Ed Cooke/Dylan Jones for their tireless tackling