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Boston Rugby Club

Reports round-up

November 2005 match action details Club’s own website: www.bostonrugbyclub.co.uk

November 26 round-up

Peterborough 2nd XV 32, Boston 2nd XV 0

Boston Rugby Club’s first team’s scheduled fixture was called off and this left centre stage to the second XV. And they travelled to play Peterborough. Last year the club resurrected rivalries against a team who operate in Midlands Two East, and were keen to once again take up the challenge.

For the Vivaldi-sponsored Boston team, the writing was on the wall even before the first kick of the ball, as a mounting number of player unavailabilties saw the seconds travel with only 13 players. The home side generously loaned the visitors an additional two, including a reserve to ensure the game went ahead.

Despite these early setbacks, the blue and whites manfully stuck to their task. In the first half the forwards played well, dominating the home side in the set pieces and providing good ball for Mark Miles at scrum half. Regrettably an ankle injury forced his retirement at the end of first half, to further disrupt the side’s intended game plan of giving the ball to the backs to run.

Boston trailed by only 12 points to nil, entering the second period and looked to their forwards to continue their good work. The Peterborough players, however, had read a different script. A newly introduced front row, soon nullified Boston’s advantage, and with a number of players under performing in the tackle area, the result was soon not when, but how many points the home side would win by.

On a positive note, two players in particular stepped “up to the mark” and deserve special mention. Man of the match Adrian Hart, playing in the unaccustomed role of hooker, and winger James O’Neill, whose tackling was exemplary, ensured Boston left with a respectable loss. This week, the seconds and firsts travel to Keyworth. The firsts return to league action, and will want to maintain their winning league run, and current third place.

Boston u13s 12, Paviors u13s 50

Boston faced a strong side from Nottingham but still battled well. The first half saw the Nottingham side score four breakaway tries that were all converted. If it had not been for the home side’s dogged defending, combined with a strong pack, the points against tally could have been significantly higher. Boston started the second half well scoring and converting a try by Jack Ridge. But then Boston’s front row was hit when Kemp was sent off. Despite Boston scoring one more try, they finished a well-beaten team. However, it was still a good performance against a well-drilled team. Team: G Wood, A Rose, R Noble, H Smith, M Elston, J Powell, J Ridge, l Smith , S Grundy, A Kemp ,P Coddington , J Williams, H Gray, J Neal, l Hampson.

Boston u17s 0, Newark u17s 24

Boston started the game well by setting off on the attack against rivals Newark. But it was not long before their opponents started to show some good forward-thinking rugby. The home side’s dominance in the scrums was short-lived as an injury to one of the Newark props scrums, meant the scrums went uncontested which suited the visitors. Newark managed to run in three tries in the first half going in 17-0 up half-time. In the second half again Boston picked up their game and attacked Newark at every opportunity, only to be held back by a good Newark defence. Newark ended the half by scoring a try in the dying seconds of the game and converting it. Boston’s man of the match was Alfie Miles who yet again stepped up from the under-16s and put in a fine all-round display.

November 19 round-up

Boston 1st XV 40, Dronfield 1st XV 8

A first half five-try scoring bonanza ensured Boston recorded a decisive win in their latest league match. In the process they maintained their winning run and bolstered their promotion drive. This was another competent performance by the Vivaldi-sponsored Boston side as they dominated a tough Dronfield side. From last the previous week’s team skipper Kevin Williams was forced into only making a couple of changes. In the forwards Rob Lancaster made a welcome return at prop, while in the back row, Ben Hauserman made his first team debut at number eight. In the backs Mark Buchanan, returned in the centre.

Boston started the match purposefully and quickly went into the lead through a Rhys Gosling penalty. The first of Boston’s five first half tries was registered by back row Ste Loveley, a result of good movement and passing in the backs, with the ever dangerous winger Martin Mullinder providing a pop up ball for Loveley to score. The subsequent conversion by Rhys Gosling saw the home side move 10-0 in front. Fly-half Rhys Gosling added a further 10 points to his personal tally, with another converted penalty and a try. From a five metre scum, Rhys Gosling received the ball from scrum half Kenny Lines and produced a jinking run to carve through the Dronfield defence. The subsequent conversion extended the home side’s dominance to 20-0 after 30 minutes of play.

Before the half-time whistle, Boston Vivaldi added a further two tries. The first was a result of controlled phased rugby by the blue and whites, who moved the ball first right and then left to draw in the defence and create an overlap for winger Martin Mullinder to score in the corner. This was quickly folowed by a captain’s try by Kevin Williams, who drove under the posts to see the side move into an unassailable lead, 32-8.

The second period failed to live up to the high scoring feast of the first 40 minutes. It proved to be a scrappy affair, with only rare moments of controlled play from the home side. Coach Mick Lyon, early on, decided to use all his substitutes bringing on Anthony Buckberry at prop, Kenny Doig for back row Phil Taylor, and Dan Allen for Ste Loveley. Only eight more points were added during the match. Rhys Gosling added a drop kick to increase his personal tally to 20 points, and winger Martin Mullinder scored the only try to secure his brace and take Boston to a comfortable 40-8 victory margin.

The two points gained, secures Boston’s third place in the league and helped their promotion challenge. This coming weekend, Boston take a break from league action, and play Peterborough firsts in a friendly fixture.

Boston 1st XV: I Sampson, R Collins, F Cannon, K Williams (capt), P Taylor, K Lines, B Hauserman, R Gosling, M Buchanan, S Cooke, P Stubley, M Mullinder, S Bourne. Replacements: A Buckberry, K Doig, D Allen.

Boston 2nd XV 57, Dronfield 2nd XV 0

Boston second XV shrugged off the disappointment of their previous week’s defeat, to record an emphatic victory over visitors Dronfield. Registering a half-century of points for the first time this season, Dave Scott’s team went into overdrive as the points total accumulated steadily throughout the match. This coming Saturday (November 26) the seconds play Peterborough seconds.

November 12 round-up

Buxton 1st XV 3, Boston 1st XV 19

Following a sequence of three consecutive defeats, one league and two cup, Boston returned to winning ways, with an impressive away victory at Buxton. For the Boston squad, sponsored by Vivaldi, this fixture was always going to be a test of character and stamina. A two-and-a-half hour journey, would not be the first obstacle they would have to overcome, as the players upon arrival, encountered a playing surface which was at best could be described as poor.

Indeed the Buxton pitch would dictate the style and pattern of the game, where 10-man rugby meant both sets of backs were largely anonymous for the majority of the match.

Until this game Buxton had remained undefeated at home, utilising the pitch and playing conditions to their advantage. While at first Boston did struggle in the scrum, their loose play more than made up for any slight advantage gained by the home side. With Boston welcoming Rhys Gosling back, it would be the centre who ensured the scoreboard kept ticking over, as a series of penalties awarded for infringements against the Buxton forwards were punished to take Boston into a 9-0 lead.

After 20 minutes, scrum half John Firth suffered a rib injury which forced his retirement from the game, to be replaced by Kenny Lines. The latter soon made an impact when, from a scrum pick-up by Kenny Doig, the ball was fed to the scrum half. Lines accelerated past the Buxton back row defence, outsprinting the opposition over 30 yards to eventually supply the pass for the supporting Peter Stubley on the wing who scored the first (and only) try of the game. The subsequent conversion by Rhys Gosling saw Boston Vivaldi enter the interval in a commanding 19-0 lead.

Within 10 minutes of the second half, as players became tired on the heavy pitch, Boston used their remaining replacements. Dan Allen replaced Nigel Lane in the second row and Mark Miles came on for winger Peter Stubley. Boston maintained their concentration and discipline, to only concede one penalty in the half, and gain an important league victory. The win sees Boston Vivaldi move into third place in the league.

Coach Mick Lyon expressed delighted with the overall team performance. Boston’s overall tackling was greatly improved from previous weeks. Back row Phil Taylor in particular was singled out for his work rate and tackle count, as well as No. 8 Kenny Doig, whose control at the base of the scrum and pick-up and drives, always broke the gain line, and put Boston on the front foot.

This week Boston have a home fixture entertaining Dronfield in the league, kick off 2.30pm and will want to build on this performance. Dronfield who this week defeated Worksop comfortably at home, will prove another challenge for the blue and whites.

Boston 1st XV: I Sampson, R Collins, A Buckberry, N Lane, F Cannon, P Taylor, K Williams (capt), K Doig, J Firth, D Barratt, R Gosling, P Stubley, M Mullinder, S Bourne. Replacements: M Miles, K Lines, D Allen, M Buchanan.

Boston 2nd XV 11, West Norfolk 2nd XV 15

After the highs, come the lows, and team manager Norman Walsh experienced the latter this week, as Boston produced a poor team performance against their King’s Lynn-based rivals. All of Boston’s points were scored by full-back Daniel Burt who registered two penalties and a try in the first half of a game the team will want to forget. This week Boston second XV travel to Dronfield.

Boston u17s 8, Spalding u17s 5

From the start Boston took the game to Spalding, dominating possession and forcing their opponents back in their own half for long periods. Spalding’s resolute defence was finally breached, to allow Daniel Burt to score, the try remaining uncoverted. The visitors did respond, scoring just before half-time, the result of a well-worked blind side move to enter the interval at 5-5. In the second half followed the pattern of the first. Boston pinned Spalding back in there own 22m zone for the majority of the game. The home side’s pressure was eventually rewarded when a penalty was converted by Daniel Burt to take the blue and whites three points ahead at 8-5, which 8 proved to be the final score. Special mention should go to under-16 Sam Deptford, who moved up an age group, to play at number eight.

Boston u16s 0, Grimsby u16s 41

The Grimsby pack that was well trained and heaver than the Boston forwards dominated this game. Boston took the game to Grimsby, but for a number of phases of the game their opponents outplayed them. Boston showed at times what they could do and that their training was having a positive effect on the way they play. Billy Wilson had a good game and a number of the team changed playing position and did well. Matt Sharmen led the team well and put in a good personal performance. This week Boston u16s play Stamford in the Plate.

Skegness u14s 36, Boston u14s 15

A mixture of ages from Skegness formed a team to play Boston under-14s. The Skegness pack was bigger than Boston’s in terms of height and weight but this did not hamper the blue and whites. A tactical change of prop spurred Alex Kemp into action. And this altered the game with Liam Smith taking quick penalties to outwit Skegness. James Foseberry and Jack Ride scored good tries through great runs, repeatedly splitting the opposition defence. It was a great game by all, notably with Sam Wood playing well in his first game for the team. Try scorers were James Foseberry (2) and Jack Ridge.

Team: A Kemp, L Smith, L Firth, S Wood, C Doig, P Coddington, J Ridge, J Powell, H Smith, H Gray, G Wood, M Elston, A Rose, L Hampson, W Brody, J Foseberry, C Riley, J Williams.

November 5 round-up

Barton 1st XV 17, Boston 1st XV 10

A new-look Boston first team were involved in the first round of the Nottingham, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire Plate Cup. They tackled a match away to Barton on Humberside and came away with plenty of credit from a narrow defeat.

From the previous week’s team, there was a youthful look to the latest team selection. In the forwards a new front row combination of Anthony Buckberry, Craig Dowse and Ste Welsby took to the field. Second team captain Dave Scott, joined forces with club captain Kevin Williams in the second row while Kenny Doig and Phil Taylor both returned from injury. In the backs there was a first team debut for Daniel Burt, who was joined by Terry Walsh, both moving up from the seconds.

In a typical cup tradition, this was never going to be a flowing encounter. Barton's pitch, narrow and on a slope, dictates their style of play that is forward-based. The Vivaldi-back Boston took the lead through a Daniel Burt penalty that was quickly responded to by the home team scoring a push-over try and another score from the wing to take Barton into a 12-3 half-time lead.

The blue and whites enjoyed their best spell of the game shortly after the break. Simon Cook in the centre was driven over the line to score a deserved try, which was converted by Burt to reduce the arrears to 12-10. However, despite concerted efforts in the forward department — particularly with good drives by Nigel Lane and Kenny Doig — Boston’s frail defence meant they conceded a further try for Barton to secure victory by a seven-point margin.

Skipper K Williams, while disappointed with the early exit from the Nottingham, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire Plate Cup, was realistic that with 11 changes to the team the firsts performed well against a traditionally strong Barton team.

Williams, in particular, singled out S Cook in the centre who organised the team’s defence well throughout the game and was always a constant threat in attack and debutant Daniel Burt who scored five points. This week Boston return to league action travelling to play Buxton, kick-off 2.30pm.

Boston 1st XV: A Buckberry, C Dowse, S Welsby , D Scott, K Williams (capt), J Fendyke, P Taylor, J Firth, D Barratt, D Burt, S Cooke, R Krause, T Walsh, M Miles. Replacements: N Lane, A Hart, S Paylin.

Boston 2nd XV 72, Barton 2nd XV 7

The try scoring machine that is Boston 2^nd VX hit overdrive in stunning fashion on Saturday when smashing opponents Barton. Five new players took to the field. Norm Pattison and Ben Hauserman played at number eight and back row respectively. In the backs there was an international flavour with three South Africans being involved — Graham Raybenheimer, Gert Venter and Altus Jooste. Two played for Boston and one was loaned to Barton. It was a good afternoon for centre Venter who scored a brace of tries. This week the seconds travel to play Gainsborough firsts.

Boston 3rd XV 12, Horncastle 1st XV 42

Travelling with only 12 players the thirds put on a spirited display away at local rivals Horncastle. The front row of I Smith, K Phoenix and G Seargant put on a controlled display in the front row. Boston’s man of the match was prop I Smith who scored two tries, one of which was converted by S Barratt. This week the thirds look to the pool to secure a home fixture.

Wisbech under-18s 32, Boston under-18s 5

Boston hit the road to Wisbech with a somewhat weakened squad, with seven first choice players being unavailable.

As a result, several players were forced to play in unfamiliar positions. This factor was combined with three players from the under-16s having to step up to make their colts debut. Despite this, Boston defended well throughout the match.

It took Wisbech 15 minutes before they finally managed to break Boston’s defence for a 5-0 lead. Boston regrouped and started to attack, winning a lot of possession and pinning Wisbech back in their own 22m area. Boston then had player sin-binned and Wisbech took full advantage, running in a further two tries to lead 22-0 at half-time.

Boston started the second half still with 14 men, but due to a lack of experience and injuries they were forced to have uncontested scrums. Despite constant Wisbech pressure Boston held their own and even managed to take the game to the home side. Lady luck, though, was not with Boston. A push-over try was ruled out and another try was deemed a double movement. Boston finally managed to score through a well-played backs movement with Perry Cumber getting the touchdown. The final score was score 32-5. A special mention should go to Alfie Miles, Matt Sharmon, and Sam Deptford, who all stepped up from the under-16s and all played well.