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Boston Rugby Club

Reports round-up

SEASON 2006-2007

December 2006 match action details

December 16 round-up:

Boston 1st XV 31, Derby University 1st XV 5

In their final league match of the year, Boston Rugby Club 1^st XV continued their winning run, with victory against Derby University. The game, however, proved to be a frustrating experience for players and spectators alike, as some key decisions left many in bewilderment. As a result, it all contributed to a generally scrappy first half, the opening 40 minutes passing by in a blur of penalties and bemusement and left little for the coaching team to be pleased about.

It took 20 minutes before captain Rhys Gosling struck home his first penalty to move Boston (sponsored by Staffsmart) into a slender 3-0 lead. Boston, while dominating the scrum and lineout, failed to breach the Derby defence, and it was therefore not surprising when Boston’s first try was registered by number eight Ben Hausermann from a push-over try.

A further penalty by Rhys Gosling shortly afterwards extended the home side’s lead to 11-0. The best and possibly only flowing move of the half ended in a try for full-back Paul Jarvis. An incisive break by skipper Gosling carved open the visitors’ defence. The move was carried on by winger Peter Stubley, back row Ryan Shelford and eventually full-back Jarvis, to take Boston into a more comfortable 16-0 lead.

The second half proved slightly more entertaining. Boston decided to revert to basics and through the forwards, they drove at the Derby pack. Yet again, the few opportunities they had were marred by poor indiscipline and errors. Despite an excellent 10-minute spell inside the Derby 22m zone, it brought no reward. The forwards at last did get some reward for their efforts midway through the half. Hausermann ended another excellent catch-and-drive from a lineout to move Boston into 21-0 lead. Minutes later Boston scored their fourth try when, from a crossfield kick by Gosling, centre Darryn Barratt, outpaced the Derby defence to touch down. At this stage centre Simon Cook was replaced by Ryan Krause.

Boston ended the match strongly when from another set lineout catch-and-drive, winger Norman Patterson added his considerable physical presence to the drive to touch down and take Boston into a final score of 31-5. The coaching staff were pleased at the final whistle that Boston had prevailed and continue their goal in securing promotion.

On Saturday December 23 Boston travel to play Cleethorpes in the Notts, Lincs and Derby Plate, kick off 2pm, before they take a well-earned Christmas break.

Boston 1st XV: I Sampson, R Collins, A Buckberry, F Cannon, N Lane, R Shelford, M Miles, B Hausermann, T Kemp, R Gosling (capt), P Stubley, S Cooke, D Barratt, P Jarvis. Replacements: C Dowse, S Loveley, R Krause.

December 9 round-up

Boston 1^st XV 27, Oundle 0

Boston Rugby Club’s first XV have their sights still fixed on a date at Twickenham after a fine victory over Oundle. In the process, they progressed into the fifth round of the EDF Energy Junior Vase, the final of which will be held — in due course — at England’s home of rugby. Boston go into the next stage as the lone representatives from the Notts, Lincs and Derbyshire level of the game.

And the blues and whites made a positive start to their latest challenge by surging into the attack against Oundle. However, it wasn’t long before the visitors answered with some good attacking moves of their own.

Strong running by the Oundle forwards, particularly the number eight, and aided by poor Boston tackling, saw the visitors spending lots of time in the Boston half. However, after 20 minutes and somewhat against the run of play, Boston created their first scoring opportunity. And here, Ben Hausermann powered in for the first try of the match from a well-placed Rhys Gosling cross kick.

From the restart, Oundle replied and came close to getting on the scoreboard. Only desperate last lines of Boston defence, with centres Simon Cooke and Darryn Barratt leading the way, held them out. In the 35^th minute, Boston had the chance to extend their lead with a penalty, which Gosling duly converted to give them an 8-0 interval advantage.

A strong half-time talk, particularly to the forwards, from coach Ray Hayward, gave Boston added momentum going into the second half and within three minutes of the restart the match was as good as over for Oundle.

For the first time Boston showed what a class side they can be when forwards and backs combined in a sweeping move to put fullback Paul Jarvis away for an outstanding try. Gosling was successful with the conversion to make it 15-0.

Shortly after that, another period of powerful attacking by Boston was rewarded when centre Barratt went in for the first of his two tries. Gosling again converted to make the score 22-0 to the home side. Boston were now in control with wing Peter Stubley causing big problems down the right side of the field.

Although Oundle battled manfully, only desperate defence and poor handling in the home ranks restricted the score. But with 10 minutes remaining, Barratt again latched on to a Gosling kick through to go in for his second try, a touch down that remained unconverted. But by this stage the match was as good as done and dusted.

The match ended on a sour note, though, when a fracas saw Kiwi import Ryan Shelford yellow-carded for retaliation.

Boston 1^st XV: Buckberry (Patterson 65), Dowse (Collins 60), Sampson, Cannon, Lane, Hausermann, Lovely, Shelford, Kemp (Wright 70), Gosling, Lyons, Cooke, Barratt, Stubley, Jarvis. Subs: Collins, Wright, Patterson.

December 2 round-up

Nottinghamians 1st XV 17, Boston 1st XV 26

In a classic winner-takes-all scenario, Boston emerged victorious from their first versus second league clash away to Nottinghamians. With both sides acutely aware of the importance of the match, it proved to be an absorbing contest, and one where cool heads and player discipline were crucial.

For the large contingent of travelling supporters, they witnessed a game between two evenly matched sides, who in true gladiatorial fashion battled it out until the bitter end, making the long journey home all the more rewarding.

The first half saw the Staffsmart-sponsored Boston side playing against a strong wind and into the glare of bright winter sunshine. The Nottinghamians’ game plan of playing fast open rugby was soon evidenced when, after five minutes, a well-worked move saw them score their first try in the corner. The home side was clearly as motivated and pumped up as Boston. And it was vital that the visitors responded quickly.

From a line out outside the Nottinghamians 22m zone, Boston started a well-executed driving maul that slowly advanced towards the try line. The only way this was going to be halted would be via the home side dropping the maul, which they did, to earn Boston a penalty try and take them into the lead for the first time at 7-5. A feature of the encounter was Nottinghamians’ apparent indiscipline, which was to cost them dear, evidenced in a growing penalty count and one that was punished by captain Rhys Gosling. A converted penalty midway through the half inched Boston further ahead (10-5).

But as so often happens in sport, Boston relaxed minutes later and conceded a try to allow, the home side to regain the lead at 12-10.

With time running out, the initiative had swung back in favour of the home side. It was vital for Boston to seek a quick score to help them regain the psychological advantage entering into half-time. Indiscipline by Nottinghamians was again be punished as Gosling coolly slotted over a penalty 30 yards out in front of the posts to take Boston into an interval with a slender 13-12 lead.

From the coaching staff, the game plan for the second half was simple: An order to maintain composure, use the wind to pin back the home side in their own half and pressurise their backs. Boston made the perfect start after five minutes when a perfectly-placed grubber kick from Gosling split the home defence open, allowing centre Darryn Barratt to run onto the ball and score under the posts. The converted try extended Boston’s lead to one of 20-12.

Again to their credit Nottinghamians would not lie down and minutes later responded with a try to reduce the deficit and set nerves racing among Boston supporters. With 20 minutes to go, the match was evenly balanced at 20-17 in Boston’s favour. A lead of three points does not provide any comfort zone, and Boston sought to continue to stick to their game plan and exert constant pressure on the Notts side.

The backs, led by centres Simon Cooke and Darryn Barratt, tackled their hearts out. Nottinghamians’ frustration and indiscipline again proved their downfall as they conceded a growing number of penalties. Gosling managed to convert two out of four to move his team into a 26-17 lead. Boston realised that the game was effectively won, and closed out for a well-deserved success.

Coach Ray Haywood and team manager Tim Bembridge were naturally delighted at the end of the game. The whole squad deserved praise for their efforts and commitment. This was a vital step in the long journey for promotion to Midlands Four rugby.

On Saturday December 9, Boston take a rest form league duties to play in a third round EDF Cup clash against Oundle at home, kick off 2.30 pm. All support welcome at the club based in the Princess Royal Sports Arena.

Boston 1st XV: I Sampson, R Collins, A Buckberry, N Lane, R Shelford, S Loveley, M Miles, B Hausermann, T Kemp, R Gosling (capt), A Wright, S Cooke, D Barratt, K Lines, P Jarvis. Replacements: C Dowse, F Cannon, J Fendyke.

Midlands under-18s trials: Boston full-back Paul Jarvis, who was called up on November 26 to take part in the under-18s Midlands trials, performed well in his sessions under assessment. But he just missed out on being selected for the Midlands squad.

Boston 2^nd XV v Stamford 2^nd XV: Regrettably this scheduled fixture was called off at the last moment, leaving Boston without a game at the weekend.