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Reports round-up

September 2005 match action details

September 24 round-up

Boston 1st XV 13, Castle Donington 22

IN a stop-start rugby match, Boston’s performed well below the high standards expected by coach Mick Lyon.

And they suffered their second league defeat of the season as joint league leaders Castle Donington, were able to expose a number of the home side frailties, scoring four tries to one to emerge winners.

The pattern of the first half was soon established, as Boston remained camped in their own territory, only journeying out for rare forays. On both occasions these proved fruitful, with Rhys Gosling converting two penalties to keep Boston in touch. Poor rucking at the break down, allied with poor first time tackling, and clearance kicking, not only put the blue and whites under extra pressure but also gave the momentum to the visitors pack.

There were, however, some plus points - the defensive tackling of Phil Taylor in the back row and centre Ryan, nullifying many a promising move. At half time, Boston trailed 10-6.

At the interval, coach Lyon, had time to regroup, and make several positional changes. Nigel Lane was moved into the front row, with Steve Wellsby going onto the bench, Wayne Sutcliffe moved to number eight, as captain Kevin Williams packed down in the second row. Soon after the restart, Boston’s ability to put themselves under pressure, surfaced again as a poor clearance kick enabled the Nottingham side to score their third try, to extend the lead to 15-6.

It was at this stage in the match, that Boston finally began to put together some fluent phases of play. An interception by Darryn Barratt, inside the Boston 22 saw him sprint half the length of the field to eventually off load to the supporting Rhys Gosling who scored under the posts.

Rhys' conversion brought Boston back to a 15-13 deficit and with 15 minutes remaining it was still game on. The Vivaldi-sponsored Boston team were now playing with more confidence. Lyon decided on a substitution, electing to bring on fresh legs sensing a turn in the games momentum. Kenny Doig, replaced Ste Loveley in the back row.

But Boston's bad habit of conceding penalties and errant loose passing conspired to undo all their good work to get them into a field position to score. With the clock running down, Castle Donington secured their victory when they scored the fourth and final try to win 22-13.

Boston 1st XV: S Wellsby, R Collins, R Lancaster, N Lane, F Cannon, S Loveley, P Taylor, K Williams (capt), J Firth, R Gosling, D Barratt, Ryan, P Stubley, M Miles, S Bourne. Replacements: K Doig, C Dowse, W Sutcliffe.

For the second time in three weeks, Boston 2^nd XV were left without a fixture as their opposition, Castle Donington 2nd XV cancelled late on the Friday night.

September 17 round-up

Boston 1st XV 13, Stoneygate 1st XV 10

In the first round of the RFU Tetley Cup competition, Boston left it to extra time to seal victory with a dramatic Rhys Gosling drop goal securing a hard fought win over Leicestershire visitors Stoneygate. The match proved to be a typically tense and nail-biting cup game (for home supporters at least), full of last-ditch tackling as both sides attempted to gain the upper hand.

Due to last minute unavailabilties, coach Mick Lyons was forced to make a number of changes to the Vivaldi-sponsored side’s back division, drafting in centre Simon Cook and winger Mathew Craven while in the pack the only change was made in bringing Frank Cannon off the bench.

Over the previous few weeks Boston’s hard work on the training pitch showed signs of reaping rewards as the blue and whites forwards’ improvement continued in both set piece and loose play. Boston’s scrummage proved to be dominant throughout the match. Pressure on the visitors’ pack proved was crucial when, from a 5m scrum, Boston eight drove the Stoneygate pack over their try line and ever-alert scrum half Johnny Firth darted through a maze of legs to score the opening try. Its conversion and a subsequent penalty by fly-half Rhys Gosling, saw the home side take a 10-3 lead into half-time.

Within minutes of the second half starting, an injury to prop Iain Sampson, forced a reshuffle, with second row Nigel Lane moving to the front row, back row Johan switching to No 8 and Kenny Doig, coming off the bench. With both defences cancelling each other out, and time running out, the home support sensed a victory within normal time.

Stoneygate however had other ideas and raised their tempo, forcing Boston to concede a try and conversion to level the scores, bringing 10 minutes extra time into play.

And in this phase of added play, Boston’s superior fitness and tactical awareness, for once, was implemented to the letter. In the first period of extra time fly-half Rhys slotted home a drop kick from just outside the visitors’ 22 to put Boston once more into the lead. Under strict instructions from captain Williams and coach Mick Lyon the blue and whites played percentage rugby to ensure they did not concede any penalties while utilising the excellent place kicking of Rhys Gosling to constantly pin Stoneygate back into their own half.

With Stoneygate operating one league higher than Boston, the satisfaction in this cup win was made all the sweeter as Boston continued their winning run.

Boston 1st XV: Iain Sampson, Ritchie Collins, Rob Lancaster, Nigel Lane, Frank Cannon, Ste Loveley, Kenin Williams (capt), John Firth, Martin Mullinder, Simon Cook, Brendan Rooney, Mathew Craven, Mark Miles. Replacements: Kenny Doig, Anthony Buckberry, Ste Bourne.

Market Rasen 2nd XV 12, Boston 2nd XV 14

Boston 2nd XV took the field with a full strength pack but had five wingers in the backs. And they knew they would have to defend well against the home side and keep the ball in their forwards department. Market Rasen soon exposed the visitors’ defence to quickly score two tries (converting one) in the first 20 minutes to race into a 12-point lead.

Boston, once they had got the journey out of their system, began to settle down and played some excellent tight rugby. Wayne Sutcliffe playing at No 8 made a number of telling breaks and from one such attack — supported by the pack — they forced a scrum on the Market Rasen line. The visitors responded and the resulting push try, allowed Boston to enter the interval trailing 12-7.

In the second half Boston’s territorial advantage and control eventually brought its reward and 18 minutes in, Tim Carr scored an excellent solo try breaking two tackles and running 40 metres scoring under the post. The conversion by Daniel Burt saw Boston finish the game deserved winners by 14-12.

Team: A Buckberry, C Dowes, S Wellsby, D Scott (capt), I Smith, S Burt, A Pearson, W Sutcliffe, R Luton, C Aiken, A Hart, D Burt, T Carr, J Francis, T Walsh. Subs: S O’Neill, D Swarby, T Stevens, C Dix.

Boston u18s 17, Lincoln u18s 17

From the kick-off Lincoln dominated the home side for the first 30 minutes, quickly going 10-0 up. Boston eventually woke from their collective slumber and started to pressure Lincoln, and at last gave the home support something to cheer about — ending the first half on a high with Daniel Burt scoring and converting a try to reduce the arrears to 7-10.

In the second half the pattern of the match was repeated with Lincoln again starting well, scoring again to extend their lead to 7-17. Boston responded, putting the pressure on for the last 20 minutes. Sam Dalrymple scored to reduce the arrears to 12-17. In the dying seconds Boston attacked non-stop. An old fashioned “up and under” by P Jarvis was chased up by Daniel Burt to score and level the match 17-17.

The ladies team are now training on Sundays at noon at the club. Players of all abilities are welcome to join in.

September 10 round-up

Anstey 1st XV 3, Boston 1st XV 9

In this first fixture it was largely a journey into the unknown for the Boardsides-based Boston side.

But the excursion to play Leicestershire side Anstey proved a rewarding one on the home club’s tight and sloping school pitch.

Pre match analysis was the Anstey would want to play up the hill in the first half and would kick into the bottom right corner for much of the second. In warm-up the opposition looked well drilled with a slick set of experienced backs. But the initial impressions proved deceptive. Although Anstey won the toss and elected to play up the hill in the first half, they didn't use the slope or wind to their advantage in the second. Once faced with opponents their backs were one dimensional and easy to read.

With a narrow pitch and a large pack the home side did play a forwards game that led to an interesting contest with Boston’s scrummaging machine. The steady drizzle made handling difficult for both side, so both packs got plenty of opportunity to lock horns. As the game progressed and Boston ground their opposite numbers down it became clear that Anstey were going to have to be at the top of their game to get clean possession, which they didn’t.

Numerous unforced errors led to the game being played in the middle third of the pitch with neither team able to put together a good passage of play for the first 30 minutes. However, Boston’s pressure was greater which led to the home side giving away a number of penalties but only two were within kicking distance. Rhys Gosling, playing at stand off, slotted the first over but was unlucky to see the second ricochet off an upright.

The only expansive passage of play in the first half was a brilliant move from the lineout on Boston’s 22m line when it was passed along the line to Martin Mullander who blasted down the wing and beat one defender with a great swerve only to find that when he tried the same on the last defender he slipped in the wet conditions and was tackled. The Boston cavalry were only second behind and picked up and drove forward again, and again but were slowed down allowing the defence to form and save a certain try.

The second half saw Boston battle up the slope and contain their opposition, which resulted in a succession of penalties. Rhys converted two from his three attempts.

Martin Mullander nearly scored with a kick through, but the bounce was unkind to him and the Anstey full-back managed to clear the danger. Similarly Rhys Gosling’s deft chip through into the in goal area could not be grounded by a Boston player before it was cleared by the Anstey full-back again.

The home side’s only consolation was a penalty for offside on Boston’s 22m line which they converted to save their pride. Final score was 9-3 to Boston.

Boston 1st XV: Lancaster, Collins, Sampson, Lane, Williams (capt), Fendyke, Loveley, Van Nort, Loten, Gosling, Barret, Rooney, Hart, Mullander, Miles, Doig, Minnards, Cannon.

On the 2nd XV front, the Boston side were left without a match when scheduled opponents Anstey 2nds cried off less than three hours before kick-off.

September 3 round-up

Worksop 1st XV 23, Boston 1st XV 16

In their opening league fixture of the season, Boston produced a poor team performance.

And in the process, they lost their first match away at Worksop. The game would prove to become a video nasty for club coach Mick Lyons, as Boston — in particular the forwards — conspired to be the artists of their own defeat.

The list of misdemeanours was long. Poor tackling, lack of concentration at kick-offs, poor performance of basic skills, and decision-making throughout the match, handed Worksop the victory. It could have been so different, if Boston had converted their first half pressure into points. A clear try scoring opportunity went begging, as did four penalty attempts from two different kickers.

The team, sponsored by Boston Vivaldi, should have gone into the interval at least 16-3 up, rather than just 8-3 courtesy of a try from captain Kevin Williams, supporting a break from winger Peter Stubley, he received an inside pass two metres from the line to score in the corner, and a penalty from debutant centre Rhys Gosling.

The half-time team talk to the players stressed the need for more control, a requirement to win clean ball for the backs, and an end to needless mistakes that placed the side under pressure. Regrettably the words of advice were forgotten as within the space of five minutes, Boston conceded a penalty and penalty try to trail 13-8. A penalty from Rhys Gosling, briefly reduced the arrears to 11-13, before Boston conceded a push-over try to the Worksop pack. An opportunist try, from centre Rhys Gosling did briefly give the watching supporters hope of a recovery. However, this was quickly dispelled as Worksop scored their third try to be in the end deservedly winners.

Boston: Iain Sampson, Ritchie Collins, Rob Lancaster , Nigel Lane, Kevin Williams, James Fendyke Frank Cannon, Kenny Doig, Richard Loten, Darryn Barratt, Rhys Gosling, Ste Bourne, Peter Stubley, Martin Mullander, Chris Aiken. Replacements: Ste Loveley, John Firth.

Boston 2nd XV 25, Grimsby 2nd XV 12

In their opening Merit game of the season Boston produced an impressive performance to secure an important victory against Grimsby who play one league above the home side. From the start the blue and whites were switched on, dominating line-out ball, securing good possession from the scrum, and showing good mobility around the park, to the delight of captain Dave Scott.

Boston’s first points came from a Daniel Burt penalty, quickly followed by a try from Mathew Gill who finished off a fine break 35 yards out from Graham Minnards. The score at half time was 8-0. Shortly after the re start, Matthew Keightley, received a pass from Simon Cook and shimmied his way past three defenders to score a fine solo try under the post, converted by Daniel Burt.

A further penalty from Daniel Burt and a second try from Mathew Keightley, saw Boston home to win their first merit game to the delight of team manager Norman Walsh and the home supporters. Boston’s man of the match was Sam Payling, playing at flanker and a special mention should go to Anthony Fenner, who played his first game for the seconds.

Further information about the club can be found on the www.bostonrugbyclub.co.uk website.