Win for Bourne in NLD Shield Semi Final

With a break in the league Bourne's attention turned to their NLD Shield semi-final at the weekend. Bourne hosted North Hykeham, a side they recorded an impressive win over last season in the equivalent round of the RFU Cup.

Without the pressure of league survival Bourne looked at ease in the warm-up but their relaxed approach cost them in the opening minutes when Hykeham crossed for an early try.

Switching on at the restart Bourne started to build some pressure and made some decent headway. Once again the pack were responsible for much of the good work and they effectively built a number of phases, sucking in the Hykeham defence as they made their way upfield. On reaching the Hykeham twenty-two the Bourne backs then shifted the ball wide and hooker Harry Thornburn (sponsored by Sion Williams PT) joined the line in support before stepping inside the last of the Hykeham defenders to put his side on level terms. Scrumhalf Sam Evison (sponsored by Moon & Evison Ltd) then added the conversion to take his side in front.

And it was the pack that created the platform for Bourne's next score. Strong ball carrying from prop Chris Greenwood (sponsored by Mulberry Homes) and second row Andrew Brown (sponsored by The Roma Group) forced the Hykeham defence backwards and gave their side significant momentum. Although a breakdown ten metres off the try-line seemed to have given Hykeham respite, a powerful carry from second row Sam Harby (sponsored by Ian Knight Stonework Brickwork) saw him force his way through several defenders to extend Bourne's lead. Evison was on target once again.

Bourne weren't having it all their own way and the visitors showed some real intent with their attacking game. With some big forwards and a backline that looked comfortable with the ball in hand Hykeham strung together some phases of their own and earned their way into the Bourne twenty-two. Attacking from a lineout Hykeham ran the ball wide and some confusion in the Bourne midfield left them short of numbers defensively; Hykeham capitalised on the mistake crossing for their second try.

With the conversion missed Bourne were just ahead 14 - 10, a fair reflection of the opening thirty minutes. The home side dominated the final ten minutes of the first half though and spent the entire time camped inside the Hykeham half. The Hykeham defence was solid and looked as though it would keep Bourne pinned to the four point deficit until flyhalf Dave Maudsley (sponsored by DT Accountancy) put centre Josh Lynch (sponsored by Dave Maudsley) in for a try with just a couple of minutes left in the half. With a quick dart to the blindside of a ruck Maudsley had drawn the attention of two defenders and although his own run came to an abrupt end he was able to offload the ball into the path of the oncoming Lynch whose quick feet enabled him to finish in style. Evison was unable to add the tricky conversion from the side of the pitch.

Bourne started the second half in much better fashion. With the wind and sun behind them they pinned Hykeham to their own end of the pitch and set about wearing them down. Despite so much territory and possession Bourne weren't as clinical as they had been in recent weeks and missed a number of opportunities to extend their lead. They eventually took the game back to basics and settled into some sort of rhythm trying to build phases rather than do too much too quickly.

It was the basics done well that led to Bourne's next score. Having seen his pack force their way onto the Hykeham try-line and tire their opponents as they did so Maudsley joined the back of a ruck before a pick-and-go allowed him to simply fall the right side of the line. Evison was back on target and at 26 - 10 Bourne looked to be far enough ahead.

But Hykeham struck next as they finally got a chance to attack. Bourne appeared to have switched off momentarily and before they knew it they were desperately defending their own try-line. Although they were up to the task initially Hykeham persisted with a number of strong carries and the Bourne defence, having been taken one way and then the other, became disjointed and some sloppy attempts to bring down the Hykeham prop weren't enough to stop him scoring.

From the restart Bourne once again pinned Hykeham to their own end of the pitch and it wasn't long before the pressure was too much for the guests. As his forwards took control of the game fullback Jack Berry (sponsored by Ian Knight Stonework Brickwork) found himself at first receiver. With the Hykeham defence pulled narrow Berry threw a long pass to centre Adam McHugh who then threw another long pass to Lynch who crossed in the corner untroubled. Evison added the conversion and with just minutes left Bourne looked to have wrapped the game up at 33 - 15.

But Bourne slipped up once again and allowed Hykeham a consolation try in the dying minutes leaving the final score 33 - 20.

Maudsley had made a number of changes in the final quarter and there were decent cameos from second row Paul Mabey and backrow Charlie Short; in the backs wing JJ Roberts proved influential. Man of the Match Jack Fitch (sponsored by The Jubilee Garage) had a lively afternoon, involved in much of his side's attacking and often heavily involved defensively.

Maudsley was frank about his side's performance: "The priority this season has always been league survival and we haven't really given the cups much consideration. Although it was nice to play today without the pressure we're feeling with each league game we looked like a side that had switched off altogether at times."

Maudsley added, "It's great that we've made the final and we'll obviously do our best when the time comes but between now and then there's a lot of league rugby to be played and we have work to do. Although winning today is fantastic we know we're capable of playing better rugby and will need to to stay in Mids 3."

Manager Mabey was pleased to see his side through to another final: "The lads have had a tough season but we've stuck together and deserve to do well. The priority has always been the league and we appear to have turned the corner there; if we can win some silverware before the end of the season that will be a bonus."