First league defeat of season for Boston Rugby Club

Rowan Mason in action at Sleaford. Photo: John Aron.

In their second consecutive derby match, a league and Lincolnshire Cup double header away at Sleaford, Boston Rugby Club suffered their first Midlands 4 East (North) defeat of the campaign.

In an absorbing contest, Sleaford would secure victory in the final 10 minutes through a try and drop goal.

Playing with the advantage of the strong wind in the first half, it would take 20 minutes before the deadlock was broken, when fly half Rowan Mason opened the scoring with an interception try.

Scrum half Josh Cook was forced to retire, bringing Sam Gray into the fray.

Despite getting into good scoring opportunities, the visitors spurned several opportunities and it would be Mason who got a second interception try, the conversion by John Hummel taking the side into the interval 12-5 ahead.

It would be winger Hummel who converted a penalty early in the second half before Sleaford responded quickly, reducing the deficit to 15-12.

Whilst Boston were trying to play a tighter game in their forwards, Sleaford’s back division were looking dangerous and creating scoring opportunities.

In a rare excursion into Sleaford’s half, a well-executed line out drive and maul resulted in a penalty try to extend Boston’s lead 22-12 on 65 minutes.

Sleaford quickly responded to reduce the arrears to 22-19 and, with Boston having back row Luke Fowler sin binned, the final 10 minutes saw the team down to 14 players.

Boston were unable to successfully manage this period, coming away with a losing bonus point.

The squad look to next week’s home game against Amber Valley (KO 2.15pm) to get back to winning ways.

On Sunday the club host their annual Presidents’ match (KO 11am), followed by their Christmas Party.

BOSTON: Hough, Beard, Scupham, Sharp, Deane, Lempard, Overton, Eldin, Cook, Mason, Hummel, Kippax, Jenkins, Cowern, Hobbs’ Replacements: Griffin, Blanchard, Gray, Fowler, Baldwin.

Boston Development XV 7 Sleaford Seconds 36

The first half proved to be an evenly-contested encounter with Boston trailing 7-12 at half time.

However, it would be a different story in a second half as the home team found gaps in Boston’s defence to run out comfortable winners.

On Saturday the Development side entertain Horncastle at home (KO 2.15pm).