Tough Opener for Boro vs Bedford Athletic

Week 1 saw the return of the league campaign and a match against newly relegated Bedford Athletic.

And so it starts again, this year's Midland 1 East campaign for the Wellingborough 1st XV. The team saw three players make their debuts for Wellingborough RFC, Charlie Frankham at hooker, James Smith at scrum half and Ry Hobdey from the bench. This week saw Boro entertain Bedford Athletic at Cut Throat Lane, a team looking to go straight back into Midlands Premier. My notes are based on the Chairmans' observations and handwriting.....

1st Half
1502 - KO by Boro downhill, Boro manage to gather possession of the ball and go through 15 phases without breaking the strong Bedford Athletic defensive line and eventually the ball is intercepted
1506 - Bedford Ath caught offside, Ryan Mackie with the penalty (Boro 3v0 BA)
1507 - Boro collect restart, however a loose ball is spilt by Boro, Bedford Ath kick the ball straight out, lineout on halfway to Boro, but the ball is knocked on again by Boro
1508 - Bedford Ath progress to Boro 22 but lineout not straight by Boro, Bedford Ath awarded scrum on Boro 22, eventually awarded a penalty 5m out but chance not taken as ball is knocked on
1510 - Bedford Ath knock on, scrum to Boro, bit loose at the base but the ball is cleared into the Bedford Ath half
1512 - Boro manage to turn the ball over and set up an attack but the ball is then subsequently stolen by Bedford Ath. Bedford Ath attack down the left to score a breakaway try, which is converted (Boro 3v7 BA). The restart sees Bedford Athletic collect the ball although Tyler Ramoo pressurises the catcher.
1518 - Some scrappy play from both sides but after a tackle by Kieran Checkley, Boro are eventually awarded a scrum. A wide attack sees the ball move wide right but a poor pass to Darryl Raynard sees the chance to score go begging
1521 - Boro are awarded another penalty which Ryan Mackie slots between the uprights (Boro 6v7 BA).
1523 - Some loose defence from both forwards and backs allow Bedford Athletic to break down the right wing and score another try (Boro 6v14 BA). Restart sees a good chase, eventually Boro win the ball back and a Ryan Mackie chip over the defence is nearly rewarded but the ball is knocked on. However, a late tackle on a Bedford Ath player sees them move up to halfway.
1529 - Bedford Ath break through the backline to score another try although the conversion is missed (Boro 6v19 BA). Restart is put straight out but Bedford Ath also manage to put the ball straight into touch giving Boro the scrum
1534 - An Andy Seaton kick through and a good chase from Kieran Checkley sees Boro apply some pressure on Bedford Ath. However, the attack is thwarted and Bedford Ath clear their lines.
1537 - Bedford Ath shrug off a couple of tackles to break clear of the Boro midfield and score another try (Boro 6v26 BA)
1539 - From the kick off, Chris Shipman manages to strip the ball and offload to Joe Staden but Boro are penalised for an offence, Boro are then awarded a penalty for Bedford Ath not releasing however, the kick to touch is missed. Half time

Half Time Score
Wellingborough 6 v 26 Bedford Athletic

2nd Half
1547 - Bedford Ath kick off and immediately are in the front foot and score a try from a set piece under the posts (Boro 6v33 BA)
1550 - Bedford Ath attack again but after a forward pass and some strong defence Boro are awarded with a penalty which is cleared to touch. A subsequent penalty is awarded after a high tackle and Boro make further progress.
1559 - Boro make a series of good drives from lineouts but are eventually held up, another drive sees an accidental offside allowing Bedford Ath to clear their lines
1606 - Penalty awarded to Boro, ball kicked to touch. Quick ruck ball sees Ryan Mackie spot a gap in the defence which he accelerates through, he sprints 50 yards beating the covering defence to score the try which Pete Vickers converts (Boro 13v33 BA)
1607 - Kick off caught by Chris Shipman, but Bedford Ath manage to get possession of the ball, they attack right but some strong defensive pressure prevents any score and Boro are awarded a scrum. The ball is cleared by Ryan Mackie.
1615 - Lineout to Bedford Ath which eventually turns into a penalty after an offence at the tackle area
1617 - Bedford Ath set up the attack but Pete Vickers spots the move an intercepts before sprinting 50 yards to score under the posts, he duly converts his own score (Boro 20v33 BA)
1619 - From the restart the ball is knocked on. Bedford Ath take full advantage and push the ball left to score in the corner to extend their lead (Boro 20v40 BA)
1622 - A further knock on from and then a penalty sees Bedford Ath on the attack, a kick through is then gathered by Bedford Ath to score another try (Boro 20v47 BA).
1624 - Boro manage to construct a number of good drives from their forwards but eventually are caught offside and the ball is cleared to touch for the final whistle.

Full Time Score
Wellingborough 20 v 47 Bedford Athletic

A tough opener for Boro saw them lose to a very strong Bedford Athletic outfit, this was certainly a step up for a number of players and now needs to be built upon. There were some good passages of play put together by Boro and we go into Friday's game knowing what we need to correct. See you all then!