65 YEARS YOUNG GLYN JONES STEPS UP FOR THE 1ST XV

Bourne were back in league action against promotion chasing Old Newtonians at Milking Nook Drove, there were a number of absentees due to International call ups , meaning debuts for a couple of players. Amongst them 65 year old veteran Glyn Jones who was starting in the front row, with no one else available he put himself forward to play in a tough specialist position and much credit should be given to him. Bourne had lost 53- 3 over at Old Newts so were hoping for an improvement on that result.
Bourne kicked off Old Newts No 8 caught the ball and ran at the Bourne forwards, Ed Cooke as ever was the first to put a big tackle in to stop him in his tracks and tie the ball up, Old Newts did manage to recycle but were stopped again by Brown playing in the centres who made a big tackle. A first scrum was called a chance for both Jones and another debutant Jason Goodyear to put their training to the test. Old Newts won the ball but the scrum was steady thus limiting them to only slow ball. A big hit from Dixon and Brown held up the play and Old Newts were penalised at the break down giving Bourne chance to clear. Dixon kicked and took Bourne into the Old Newts half for the first time. Scrappy line out ball was retained by Bourne with Bentley ending up with the ball and making a dart down his wing taking Bourne down to the old Newts 22. Good pressure at the lineout from Hiscocks tied the ball up and the remaining forwards pushed Old newts into touch to win a lineout. The throw was accurate this time and quick ball off the top from Hume enabled Dixon to run across his backline and make yards finding fullback Berry , he was stopped but again Old Newts were penalised at the breakdown, Binns stepped up and confidently kicked the ball between the sticks 3-0.
Berry called for the ball at the restart and caught the ball and cleared up field. Good defence was keeping Old Newts in midfield with both forwards and backs harassing to keep them at bay. Old Newts turned over a Bourne scrum and the No 8 picked up and went on a run up field he beat 2 or 3 men before offloading for a score in the corner unconverted. 3-5. Old Newts had got their heads up and a lack of tackling allowed their centre to run a try in this was also unconverted. 3-10.
Bourne did not let their heads drop and chased the restart with Cooke and Hume arriving first, Wood and Mabey then hit the ruck and forced a Bourne scrum , no real advantage was gained and play was held up in midfield for a while as both teams tried to make gaps. Old Newts were penalised deep in Bourne’s half and Thornburn took a quick penalty , Berry was in support and kicked long to deep in the Old Newts 22. Bourne disrupted the line out through Hiscocks and Mabey resulting in a lose ball which Hume fell on, the forwards then went through a couple of phases moving up field, Thornburn fed Wood who was running a good line and despite being stopped initially he managed to re adjust and drive himself over the line with the help of the rest of the pack. 8-10.
This score gave Bourne confidence and Wood collected the restart with confidence, again with good support from his teammates, good ball was given to Berry who cleared up field. Bourne had a scrum just in the Old Newts half and played the training ground pivot move. Dixon passed to Brown and collected the return , Binns did his switch and then Berry took the ball coming into the line at the gap to score under the posts , converted by Binns 15-10. Half time.
A few changes had to be made at half time with Brown going off, meaning Cooke went into the backs with Danielewski on to flank, Mabey also made way for Hill in the 2nd row. Old Newts obviously had a stiff talking to at half time and came out all guns blazing their No 8 shrugging off tackles to score under the posts. Despite Bourne’s best efforts a number of trys were run in by the opposition. Highlights of the half for Bourne were cover tackles to stop trys from Berry and Thornburn, a trundle up the pitch from Hill with ball in hand, Binns keeping his mouth shut when he thought he had held up a try and the massive effort from every one to try and stem the flow of trys. A special mention again though for Glyn Jones who played the whole 80 minutes of the match, scrummaging hard right to the final whistle. Final score 15-53.
Things don’t get any easier for Bourne as next week they travel away to league leaders St Neots.
Coaches Quote – Too big and too strong in the 2nd half with our limited bench and availability.
MOM Glyn Jones