Annual Alan Lock Memorial Match enjoyed by all

Bourne Rugby Club enjoyed their annual Alan Lock Memorial game over the Easter Weekend. With the NLD Final still to play for coach Dave Maudsley rested a number of players but still fielded a strong side. The Alan Lock squad, led by club stalwart Neil Oglesbee, was made up mainly past players but boosted by a number of fringe 1st XV players.

On a very hot day it was the younger side that took the early advantage racing to a 28 - 0 headstart in the first quarter. Bourne did their best to even up the game in the second quarter removing skipper Tom Dixon and centre Josh Lynch from the field before continuing with just thirteen men. Despite the numerical advantage the Alan Lock XV, many of whom only play in this one fixture every year, struggled to keep up. Wing Matt Holden led the way for Bourne in the first half scoring his hat-trick inside the opening half an hour.

The Alan Lock side grew into the game and showed signs of promise towards the end of the first half, flyhalf Mark Pimm being the standout player in attack. Some resolute defence from the Alan Lock players, including a sprightly effort by Club President Alan Thomas, limited Bourne's progress in the final ten minutes of the half.

After the interval the second half was far more competitve with the sides being mixed to make a more even contest. Bourne finished with sixty-seven points thanks to additional tries from Andrew Brown (2), JD Charlton (2), Theo Hoyles-Simpson (2), Chris Greenwood and Man of the Match Adam Castle. The Alan Lock XV finished with an admirable twenty-eight points thanks in part to the input of regular 1st XV players Dixon, Lynch and Adam Binns. On a tough afternoon there were also notable performances from Oglesbee, Chris Mulhern and Spike Smith.

The game was watched by a significant crowd and throughout the afternoon the Club raised over £500 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Past President and organiser Andy Rowe was delighted with the outcome, "Once again it was a fantastic afternoon! The standard of rugby at the club has obviously improved over recent years but once we mixed the sides up it was both competitive and fun, the perfect way for the game to be played on such an important day in the club's calendar. Everybody's had a fantastic afternoon whether they've been playing or spectating and we've raised a decent amount of money for a very good cause."