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In a fractious encounter against Worksop, Boston Rugby Club 1^st XV’s improved second half performance eventually saw them emerge victorious, extending their winning league run and — vitally — their promotion push as well.

The match itself proved to be a classic “game of two halves,” illustrating the schizophrenic nature of Boston’s. In the first 40 minutes, the visitors played in fits and starts — a bright enterprising opening and willingness to run the ball from deep and counter attack soon disintegrated into trench warfare against the Worksop forwards.

Little did the spectators realise, the opening score after just five minutes would be the highlight of the first half. From a missed penalty attempt, winger Peter Stubley gathered the ball and launched a counter attack. Quick ruck ball, a deft inside break from Rhys Gosling and good handling by centre Simon Cook allowed fellow centre Paul Jarvis to utilise his pace and score the Staffsmart-sponsored visitors’ opening try, which when converted to see Boston take a deserved 7-0 lead.

After 20 minutes a Rhys Gosling penalty extended their lead to 10-0. At this stage it appeared Boston were comfortably in control and masters of their own destiny. However, the visitors’ tempo and intensity diminished and they began to concede needless penalties. And within the forwards department they struggled to play with any real cohesion. It was therefore not surprising that Worksop, in a rare foray into Boston territory, scored a well executed try through their impressive young fly half, to take the home side into the break trailing only 10-7.

For the second week running Boston coach Ray Hayward had some strong words to communicate to the team culminating in a simple message: up the tempo and collectively up the work-rate as well

The result of the pep talk was instantaneous. In a devastating five-minute spell, Boston scored two tries and bagged 14 unanswered points. Minutes after kick-off Simon Cooke broke blind and put a delicate kick down the wing to set up a 5m scrum on the Worksop line. A loose pass from the Worksop scrum half was pounced upon by winger Piers Carter in the in goal area and he scored his debut try for the club.

Boston’s second and best score of the match came straight from the kick off. A flowing move in the backs was started by captain Gosling who set up the counter attack from deep inside Boston’s 22m zone. The ball was carried the length of the pitch and centre Paul Jarvis finished the move off in style to score under the posts. The conversion by Gosling placed Boston 24-7 ahead.

Worksop briefly rallied after the double body blow. With number eight James Fendyke sin binned for collapsing a maul, Worksop took advantage of the visitors only having 14 men to score and give the home support hope of a fightback. A further try by their fly half a result of sustained forward pressure, increased anxiety within the blue and white camp as the deficit was reduced to 24-17.

With 20 minutes left, the match was in the balance. The Boston coaching team decided to bring on fresh legs. Frank Cannon replaced James Fendyke and Piers Carter gave way to Adam Wright on the wing.

However, the quick thinking and boot of Gosling soon dashed any thoughts Worksop had of a revival. Straight from the restart Boston moved the ball into the Worksop 22m area and with limited options open to him, Gosling elected to launch a drop goal from outside the 22m line to increase Boston’s lead by three more points. With five minutes remaining a second drop goal effectively sealed victory and ensured Boston came away with another important two league points.

Given the difficulties Worksop teams always pose Boston, this win was made all the more sweeter and while the players were somewhat bruised and battered, they can take heart from a determined and dogged second half performance.

On Saturday February 3, Boston entertain Skegness in the Notts, Lincs and Derby Cup.

Boston 1stXV: I Sampson, C Dowse, A Buckberry, N Lane, J Fendyke, R Shelford, M Miles, K Lines, R Gosling, P Stubley, S Cooke, P Jarvis, P Carter, S Bourne. Replacements: F Cannon, B Hausermann, A Wright

CUP-TIE: The draw for the sixth round of the RFU’s EDF Cup sees Boston RFC 1^st XV handed another home tie, this time against Midlands 5 South East side Bedford Swifts. The match will be played at the Princess Royal Arena stadium on Saturday February 10.

January 20 round-up:

Boston 1^ST XV 11, Southam 1^St XV 5

In a typically tight, tough, encounter, Boston emerged victorious to march into the last 16 (sixth round) of the Rugby Football Union’s EDF Cup competition. Victory keeps alive the club’s ultimate dreams of playing in a Twickenham final.

On a bitingly cold afternoon, visitors Southam (from Warwickshire, Midlands 5 West) proved to be worthy opponents who tested the home side’s resolve and contributed to an enthralling afternoon of rugby at the Boardsides.

In front of the largest crowd this season, with more than 250 supporters present, the Staffsmart-sponsored Boston side (playing in their change red strip) made a slow start to the first half. Despite the advantage of a strong, gusting wind, the home side appeared overawed with the occasion and allowed Southam to dominate play. The visitors’ forwards — in particular their back row — were took the game to Boston, the line-out a usual source of possession was misfiring, and overall the home side were on the “back foot”.

Southam, unsurprisingly, registered the first score of the game. From a line-out catch and drive they rumbled over to take a deserved 5-0 lead after 25 minutes. Boston’s play became more frenetic as they started to concede numerous penalties, lacking cohesion and struggling to put any meaningful passages of play together.

Boston via Rhys Gosling had only two long-range penalty attempts (both of which went wide) to show for their efforts, before a decisive score in the last minute of the half eased Boston supporters’ nerves. The points arrived as a result of the only meaningful flowing movement of the first 45 minutes. From a 10m scrum, number eight Ben Hausermann broke blind and fed winger Peter Stubley who carried the ball deep into the Southam half. The recycled ball was quickly passed down the line, only for the referee to spot an infringement for offside. This allowed captain Rhys Gosling to convert the penalty, and take the home side into the interval trailing by only 5-3.

The interval proved an opportunity for coach Ray Hayward to have some strong words with his squad. He told them it was vital that they controlled the breakdown and put Southam onto the back foot. First-time tackling and application of intensive pressure were the instructions for the troops as they returned to battle.

Within minutes of the restart, and now playing against the elements, the home team at last began to play controlled, phases of rugby. They were quickly awarded with a penalty that was duly converted by captain Gosling to move Boston into the lead for the first time during the match, 6-3.

At this stage, a hand injury to second row Frank Cannon forced the coach to bring on Ste Loveley, who went into the back row with Ryan Shelford returning to the second row. The score and substitution seemed to galvanise the home side. They were playing rugby, putting pressure on Southam, and their first-time tackling in the loose was impressive with number eight Ben Hausermann and hooker Craig Dowse leading the “hit count.”

Remaining firmly camped in the their own half, Southam were finding it difficult to get into the game, and the pendulum was slowly moving in the blue and whites’ (albeit in red shirts) favour. Boston needed to turn this territorial dominance into points, and it was back row Marc Miles who sent the home crowd into a cup frenzy, when he scored the crucial match-winning try. From a 5m scrum on the Southam line, he latched onto a mistake by the visiting full-back and crucially got the touch down to extend Boston’s lead to 11-5.

The last 10 minutes proved to be a tense affair for players and spectators alike as Boston tried to hold out. There were inevitably a few nervous moments when Boston attempted to kick their way out of trouble instead of keeping the ball in hand and allowed Southam a glimmer of opportunity to score. However, determination and character showed through as they closed out the game to record a deserved victory, and move into uncharted waters, the sixth round of the EDF Cup.

On Saturday January 27, Boston return to league action, with a testing trip to Worksop on their agenda. Worksop have been something of a bogey team for Boston, and the blue and whites know they will need to fully concentrate to ensure they keep their eye of the main goal of securing promotion.

Boston 1stXV: I Sampson, C Dowse, A Buckberry, N Lane, F Cannon, R Shelford, M Miles, B Hausermann, K Lines, R Gosling, P Stubley, S Cooke, D Barratt, P Carter, P Jarvis. Replacements: J Fendyke, S Lovely, S Bourne.

Boston 2^nd XV 0 Grimsby 3^rd XV 12

Boston thirds, while dominating possession for large periods of the game, were dealt two sucker punch blows, as two tries stemming from long-distance moves saw them lose a match they could and should have won. On Saturday January 27, the thirds entertain Worksop at home, kick off 2.30pm

Tom wins call to England action

Former Boston rugby club player Tom Jarvis, elder brother of current first team full-back Paul Jarvis, has been called up to play for England students against Spain in their opening international of 2007. The England side travel to Spain on February 10, before tackling games against France in Cahors. Tom, currently at Hartbury College has been selected to play at full-back.

January 13 round-up:

Boston 1st XV 46, Dronfield 3

By virtue of a decisive victory against Dronfield, Boston climbed to top spot in the Midlands 5 East (North) table. Their status was gained on the strength of their own performance and that of title rivals Bakewell Mannerians who suffered a 15-8 home loss against third in the league Nottinghamians.

Coach Ray Hayward made only two changes to the previous week’s Boston team. Scrum half Kenny Lines, replaced injured Tom Kemp, and on the wing Perry Carter made his debut on the wing. On a blustery day at the Boardsides, the home team — playing against a strong wind in the first half — took some time to settle down into their normal pattern of play.

Unforced errors and poor decision making in the first 10 minutes saw Boston firmly camped in their own half. It was somewhat against the run of play that the Staffsmart-sponsored Boston side opened their account. A rare foray into the Dronfield half saw captain Rhys Gosling put in a delicate grubber kick that split open the flat Dronfield defence. Back row Marc Miles ran onto secure the loose ball and unselfishly off-loaded to his back row colleague Ryan Shelford to score.

Despite moving into a 5-0 lead, Boston were guilty of conceding too many penalties and via this, they lost valuable territory and allowed the Dronfield team to use the strong wind to their advantage. As a result it took another 20 minutes before the newly sponsored Beesons scoreboard moved into action.

With Boston having to revert to “route one” rugby due to the conditions, it was therefore not surprising that the forwards collect effort secured Boston’s second try.

Possession taken from the opposition’s put-in saw number eight Ben Hausermann score a pushover try. Gosling’s conversion took them into a more secure 12-0 lead. A further three points were added by the skipper shortly before the interval for the home side to enter the break 15-3 to the good.

Starting with the advantage of the elements in the second half, Boston were initially slow to capitalise on this and allowed their concentration to momentarily slip. However, with some stern words from Hausermann and coach Hayward, they soon refocused their efforts and started a five-try scoring spree.

Centre Ryan Krause was first over when, from 10 metres out, he slipped through the Dronfield defence to register the first try, which was converted by Gosling to move Boston into a 22-3 lead.

It was as if the lights had been turned on as Boston now started to play the expansive running rugby they are capable of. From a line out in the Dronfield half, the ball was quickly moved down the backs and with Paul Jarvis entering the line, his pace proved decisive in evading the opposition defence.

Ten minutes later winger Peter Stubley scored one of the classic long distance tries that have become his trademark. Receiving the ball inside his own half, he started off on a weaving run that ended with him scoring under the posts. Both tries were converted by Gosling to take Boston into an unassailable 36-3 lead.

At this stage of the match, with 20 minutes remaining, coach Hayward made a number of substitutions. Hooker Craig Dowse came off to be replaced by James Fendyke. This switch resulted in back row Marc Miles moving to the front row and Simon Cooke moving to centre as a replacement for Gosling.

Before the close of play, Boston recorded a further two tries to take their points haul to 31 in the second half. Darryn Barratt firstly ran in an interception try before scrum half Kenny Lines scored from 5m out.

At the end of the match, the Boston coaching staff members were pleased with the result and performance, given the conditions.

This Saturday (January 20) sees Boston contest a fourth round EDF Cup tie when Southam from Warwickshire Midlands 5 West are the visitors for a 2pm kick-off. Club historians believe that this is the furthest Boston have been in what was the old Pilkington Vase competition. As such, connections at the Boardsides-based club hope all current and past members will attend to support the team in their bid for even further progress.

Boston 1^st XV: I Sampson, C Dowse, A Buckberry, N Lane, F Cannon, R Shelford, M Miles, B Hausermann, K Lines, R Gosling, P Stubley, R Krause, D Barattt, P Carter, P Jarvis. Replacements: J Fendyke, S Cooke, K Doig.

Boston 2^nd XV 48, Dronfield 2^nd XV 5

Boston Seconds secured a comfortable victory, after an impressive first half, scoring 31 points to nil. The highlight being a hat-trick from Adam Wright. The second half proved some what of a let down as their play and the home sides concentration let them down. Boston’s try scorers were Adam Wright (3), Paul Smith, Perry Cumber, John Macpherson, Sam Wainwright and Paul Smith, all scoring one each.

January 6 round-up:

Keyworth 17, Boston 1st XV 35

Boston 1^st XV began the new year with a fine victory away to Keyworth. In the process, they chalked up their ninth league win of the current campaign to bolster second place in the table. Their latest success was highlighted by two tries from speedy teenager Paul Jarvis.

Coach Ray Hayward had to accommodate some late changes due to the withdrawals of Anthony Buckberry and Darren Barratt while hooker Richie Collins was still absent due to a recent back operation.

But with strength in depth, Boston’s Staffsmart-sponsored squad called upon the services of Chris Clawson, Ryan Krause and Craig Dowse who did well on their call into the starting line-up.

Boston opened the scoring in the fourth minute. On a heavy pitch, the visitors started well and a good handling move was broken up when the home side failed to release the ball. Skipper Rhys Gosling duly converted the resultant penalty. Gosling was in the action again when chipping the ball forward. Keyworth thought the ball was going to go out but hadn’t reckoned with the speed of Jarvis, who dived to touch down just inside dead-ball area.

With the score at 8-0, Boston began to throw the ball around confidently. And in the process they heightened the pressure on the home side who regularly conceded penalties. Ann on this count, they were made to pay as Gosling converted another kick, awarded for not binding on at the scrum.

Boston were now completely dominant and it was no surprise when a flowing move down the line resulted in Jarvis collecting the ball on the overlap. He sped into space and once more touched down in style.

There was a setback, though, for Boston 10 minutes before the break when Taff Lane was sin-binned for a high tackle. And almost immediately, Keyworth went over for a try. But Boston again put the emphasis on attack and after Gosling had forced a 5m scrum from another clever chip through, Simon Cook dived over to score another try.
Gosling converted to send Boston in 23-5 ahead at half-time.

Boston spent the early stages of the second period entrenched in the Keyworth half. Scrum half Tom Kemp produced a master-class performance by tirelessly recycling the ball and changing the direction of the attack until finally a run by Peter Stubley set up Gosling, who saw a gap and charged through it to extend the lead still further with his side’s fourth try. His conversion took Boston’s match total to 30 points.

With victory safely in bag, the visitors decided to use all their replacements for the last 18 minutes. Here Steve Bourne, Adam Wright and James Fendyke came on and although they played their part the necessary readjustment, the switches to a degree allowed Keyworth back into the game and they scored two quick tries (one of them converted) to reduce the arrears to 30-17.

But the setback was short-lived as Boston rediscovered their rhythm and scored again. Craig Dowse took a scrum against the head and when the ball found its way to winger Stubley with only one man to beat the result was a try to Boston. On Saturday January 13, Boston play host to Dronfield at the Princess Royal Sports Arena aiming to keep their promotion ambitions firmly on course. Kick-off is at 2.15pm. Admission is free and all support is welcome.

Boston 1^st XV: Sampson, Dowse, Clawson, Loveley, Krause, Lane, Shelford, Miles, Hausermann, Kemp, Gosling, Stubley, Cooke, Lines, Jarvis. Replacements: Bourne, Fendyke, Wright.

Boston 2^nd XV 10
West Norfolk 2^nd XV 0

Sam Wainwright made a winning return after a long lay-off from injury in a fine win over a physical team from King’s Lynn. The Norfolk side had the advantage in the scrum but Boston dominated the line-outs and it was from a throw-in that Ollie Webster broke down the line to land an unconverted score. Boston added a second try just before half-time, and in a hard-fought second half that brought no further scores the home side were thankful for good line-out ball secured by Maguire and excellent tackling from Brooks.