Flynn and Gilbey inspire Boro to first away win of the season

Week 3 and a trip to visit the Badgers

This weeks league fixtures saw Boro visit Bugbrooke, for Boro this has always proven a difficult fixture and with Bugbrooke looking for their first win it certainly appeared that it was going to be a tough game. There were some changes this week, in the front row Rhys Logan made his first start for four years for the 1s, in the second row Dan Sims came back in after Adam Fuller had a paper cut on his hand. In the backs there was switch around with the back three, Eddie/Ed/Edward Johnson started at 15 after passing a vigorous fitness test. One the bench the only change was Luke Smith (2nd team vice captain) .

1st Half
Boro started off the half on the front foot, Chris Shipman collected the ball and Boro matched down field. A penalty was awarded to Boro which was pumped into the corner by Ryan Mackie, the next five minutes saw Boro attack the Bugbrooke line but a strong defence and a lack of composure saw Bugbrooke break free. Then on the 15 minute mark after sustained Boro pressure Bugbrooke put together their first attack, a break down the right hand side saw their outside backs streak clear to score the first points of the game (Bug 7v0 Boro).

The next few moments of the half could be best described as 'scrappy', Bugbrooke tried to pressurise Boro through the mauling game but some strong defence from the forwards prevented any score. Then a penalty was awarded to Boro which was put into the corner, after some strong carrying from the forwards, Ben Morton-Bright and Dan Sims especially, it was the turn of the backs, some quick hands from the centres saw Ed Johnson put into space and he dashed over the line to score Boro's opening try, this was converted by Ryan Mackie to level the score (Bug 7v7 Boro). However, Bugbrooke answered straight back through a try of their own a speculative kick forwards from Bugbrooke saw their winger win the race to the ball to dot it down (Bug 12v7 Boro). The final moments of the half saw Pete Vickers show some strong defence by trying to smash down the whole Bugbrooke backline.

HT Score
Bugbrooke 12 v 7 Wellingborough

2nd Half
The second half saw Boro make a couple of changes and straight from the kick off one of the replacements Ryan James set the tone by wiping out the Bugbrooke receiver of the kick off. This seemed to drive the forwards on as they started to show more aggression with their carrying, Dan Sims was swatting tacklers a side and Rhys Logan was driving players back. This positive play was rewarded with a penalty shot which was missed but the next one soon came along which was duly converted (Bug 12v10 Boro). Bugbrooke were starting to feel the pressure and a loose kick back was fielded by Kieran Checkley who put it straight back into the Bugbrooke 22, however, he chased it up and charged down the kick and then pounced on the ball to give Boro the lead, Ryan Mackie did the honours with the conversion (Bug 12v17 Boro).

With a freshly shaven Pete Gilbey barking out instructions and Harry Bryan coming back off the bench to bring the thunder it was Boro in the ascendency. A scrum was won against the head which put Boro back on the attack, another half break saw Boro make their way into the Boro 22 but it was a couple of errors in defence that allowed Bugbrooke back into the game and the equalising score (Bug 17v17 Boro). As the heavens opened and the rain came down the ball turned into a ball of soap, this meant that Boro had to tighten up their game and therefore the forwards in turn upped their workrate. The breakthrough came after a series of punishing carries saw Boro come within metres of the Boro line, the referee spotted an offence and the penalty was awarded to Boro with a Bugbrooke player sent to the bin. The penalty was in front of the posts and Ryan Mackie slotted the ball between the uprights to give Boro back the lead (Bug 17v20 Boro).

Boro were put under pressure from the kick off by Bugbrooke but a good kick from Pete Vickers after some strong defensive work from Joe Staden saw Boro get down to the Bugbrooke 22. The final moments saw Boro with the ball deep in the Bugbrooke half, the ball was kept tight and with some strong carries and rucking from Chris Shipman, Dan Pateman and Ewan Pattison the referee awarded Boro a penalty. Ryan Mackie stepped up and scored the penalty to extend Boro's lead (Bug 17v23 Boro) and that was it, the end of the game.

Full Time Score
Bugbrooke 17 v 23 Wellingborough

A closely fought game saw Boro come out on top, there were a number of positives to be taken and again this game was a step in the right direction. This Friday sees Boro needing to step up to another level as we take on ONs at home, your support is needed!