Our first NLD Cup game ended in defeat, but this score line did not reflect the closeness of the 2 teams. A first half which saw strong running and resolute defence from both teams, ended with the score at 19-7. Before the away team stretched ahead when some porous defence allowed two easy tries.
The Boston team came out of the blocks well, with organised, solid tackling, led up front by Captain, Sam Hills and number 8, Joshua Moore. Both were well backed up by the whole pack. Our front row, (Alfie Phoenix, Harry Lovel and Michael Healey) held a strong Scunthorpe pack and took all its own ball on scrummage, with Cameron Harris and Reuben Brunton, catching ably in the lineout. The rucking and mauling was a strongly contested area with both teams winning their share of the ball.
The backs were well served by Ollie Bradley-wright at scrumhalf, and a new look midfield took the attack to Scunthorpe with some fast hard running, and good handling at times.
Fullback Bailey Fountain made several try saving tackles in the first half alone, using his pace to good effect.
After a long period of sustained pressure and try line defence, Scunthorpe were repelled from over the line on several occasions, the line was finally breached by the Scunthorpe Number 5 (Bobby) who went on to win the Man of the Match award for his team. This was followed by another try soon after before Boston hit back with a try of their own.
Jack Bowser touching down a clever kick through, which the Scunthorpe cover failed to gather. 12-7 would have been a fair reflection of the first half, but in the final attack of the Half the Boston defence opened for the Scunthorpe team to go through unopposed and under the posts.
The second half followed similar patterns although Boston should have made better use of the outside channels, where they seemed to have the edge. Scunthorpe scored an easy try with Number 5 once again running through several missed tackles to score with a 50 yard run.
Confusion then reigned for Boston when the ball went to ground near their own try line and they were forced to conceded a 5 yard scrum close to the Posts, subsequently conceding the final try of the game.
Both teams can take a lot from the way this game was played, both in terms of commitment and attitude. There was no question of the referees decision and no niggle, despite some hard tackles and committed rucking and mauling, with both teams enjoying the meal in the club house afterwards. We thank Scunthorpe players coaches and supporters for making the journey down to us and hope they enjoyed the fixture as much as we did.
Boston Man of the match, as selected by Scunthorpe coaching team - Joshua Moore.
with mention to strong performances from Jack Bowser, Elliot Brooks and Sam Hills
Next week we travel to a strong Lincoln team looking to continue our improvement.