Boro lose out in close fought game

Game 8 and 'Friday Night Lights' at Old Scouts

This week saw Boro travel to Old Scouts on the Friday. Boro went into this game with their tails up looking to start the local derby run of games with a win away at Old Scouts. Boro made a number of changes this week with Jonny Bolton coming into the hooker position and JC moving from the bench to start at 6. In the backs Andy Seaton replaced Pete Vickers at fly half and Remi Hussein started at full back. A last minute change saw Joel Smith pull up in the warm up with action at 'both ends' and was replaced by Rob Owen in the number 7 shirt.

1st Half
The opening minutes of the half saw Boro put under some defensive pressure but some tough tackling allowed Andy Seaton to make an outstanding clearance, this allowed Boro to turn the tables and put Old Scouts under pressure, however, the resultant penalty kick was missed.

Boro's forwards started to go through the gears and one strong carry saw Reece Parillon make 30 yards bowling Old Scouts defenders over to the left and to the right. This positive play saw good work from the forwards in the ruck by turning over the ball at will and also in a strong scrum which was causing Old Scouts numerous problems. However, Old Scouts opened the scoring with a try against the run of play, a couple of missed tackles saw Old Scouts break down the left hand side to score the try (OldS 5v0 Boro).

Boro quickly got back into their stride and a positive run from Kieran Checkley saw the pressure put back on Old Scouts. The interplay between forwards and backs was allowing Boro to make progress through the Old Scouts defence, then the break through, the ball was spun wide left and Boro progressed into the 22, then the ball was moved right with Reece Parillon showing good hands to offload to Remi Hussein who passed wide to Tom Bryan who drew in the defence to put Luke Gardiner in for the try, the conversion was converted by Tom Mair (OldS 5v7 Boro).

The closing moments of the half saw Old Scouts on the attack after a missed tackle but a good box kick from Ben Taylor after some great scramble defence temporarily cleared the lines. However, Old Scouts were awarded with a penalty for an offence at the ruck which was slotted over (OldS 8v7 Boro).

HT Score
Old Scouts 8 v 7 Wellingborough

2nd Half
The second half opened with Boro in the ascendancy, Remi Hussein in particular was running the ball hard from full back and was proving quite an elusive runner to hit. However, the referee deemed that Boro were interfering illegally at the ruck and as a result Old Scouts were allowed to keep Boro at bay.

The set piece from Boro was causing Old Scouts problems and was disrupting any ball that they had along with some strong tackling from the centres Tom Mair and Tom Bryan. This was typified when a turnover allowed Boro to get the ball wide quickly to Luke Gardiner, he stepped inside his opposite man and then set off from 50 yds out skinning the full back and winger on his way to the try line (OldS 8v12 Boro).

This try was much deserved and keeping the ball in hands seemed to work well as Boro kept mounting attack after attack. This positive play was rewarded with another score, this time it was Remi Hussein making a strong run from full back which broke through the defence on the left hand side. Quick hands from Mark Bartlem to Andy Fordham and then to Jonny Bolton saw Kieran Checkley put into space which he took by bursting past the defence to score in the corner (OldS 8v17 Boro).

However, a couple of missed tackles allowed Old Scouts to attack back at Boro and although Boro defended stoutly Old Scouts managed to get over for the try (OldS 15v17 Boro). With the breakdown seemingly being an area of confusion for Boro it was Old Scouts who were rewarded with a series of penalties, one of these proved to be in range allowing Old Scouts to take the lead (OldS 18v17 Boro).

With the game drawing to a close Boro upped their intensity and a strong carry by Reece Parillon into the Old Scouts 22 went unrewarded, the final play of the game saw Remi Hussein make another strong run but the touchline proved the enemy and the final whistle went.

Full Time
Old Scouts 18 v 17 Wellingborough

A great performance from Boro went unrewarded with Old Scouts claiming the win, however, if this level is maintained along with some tweaking in training this week then there is no reason why next weeks derby game shouldn't be a positive result.