Performance to be proud of in Lincolnshire Cup Semi Final

Bourne's Lincs semi-final against Lincoln was always going to be a tough afternoon but against the odds Bourne put in a performance to be proud of. With league survival the priority, coach Dave Maudsley rested a number of regular 1st XV players, using the opportunity to get game-time for a number of fringe players.

It was clear during the warm-up that Lincoln, who presently sit in the top half of the league above Bourne, were an athletic and well drilled side. This was a contrast to the Bourne side who had a number of players alongside each other for the first time this season.

Whilst many would have thought the result was a foregone conclusion the hosts thought otherwise and clearly weren't phased by the size of the task in front of them. Dominating the opening exchanges Bourne forced their way up-field and applied pressure to their guests.

The Bourne pack was well led by stand-in skipper Chris Greenwood (sponsored by Mulberry Homes) and regular first teamer Sam Harby (sponsored by Ian Knight Stonework brickwork). Andrew Brown (sponsored by The Roma Group), continued his return from injury with his first start at number eight and proved influential in the loose.

Just minutes into the game second row Paul Mambey (sponsored by CPL Felthams) forced a Lincoln error and earned his side a penalty. Despite being some way out with a difficult wind swirling across the pitch scrumhalf Sam Evison (sponsored by Moon & Evison Ltd) was successful in opening his side's scoring and Bourne led 3 - 0.

And it was Bourne that struck next. Jack Lagdon (sponsored by Kruger Equestrian), enjoying his first outing at flyhalf this season, took control of matters providing a good link between his forwards and backs. After some powerful carrying from his pack Lagdon shifted the ball along the Bourne backline. Regular centre Adam McHugh fed the ball to Adam Binns (sponsored by The Roma Group, Drain Doctor and Lisa Batty), at outside centre for the afternoon, who found fullback Josh Lynch (sponsored by Dave Maudsley). Lynch made good ground stepping inside one defender and outside another, before offloading a well-timed pass to Binns who had followed in support. Binns crossed in the corner to take his side to 8 - 0. Evison was unable to add the extras.

As they entered the second quarter Lincoln finally got their hands on the ball and they quickly tried to assert themselves onto the game. The guests had several big ball carriers and played an effective high-paced offloading game. Bourne though initially matched the Lincoln attacks with some solid defence in the midfield but the relentless onslaught took its toll on the home side and they conceded in the corner.

Lincoln were buoyed by the first of their tries and in the lead up to half-time scored two more in identical fashion taking them to a 15 - 8 lead.

Bourne coach Dave Maudsley, having watched his side from the bench, was pleased with their efforts in the first half but had a clear message for his side - maintain the defensive effort in the midfield without over-committing therefore leaving more players to help out wide.

Despite seeing the precautionary removal of Binns and wing Jack Berry (sponsored by Ian Knight Stonework Brickwork), replaced by JD Charlton (sponsored by Chris Handley Plastering) and Steve George respectively, Bourne appeared to have heeded Maudsley's words as they started the second half and for the opening ten minutes the score remained unchanged as both sides matched each other in both attack and defence.

Maudsley, keen for his entire squad to have a run-out, made more changes on the ten minute mark and this seemed to affect Bourne's cohesion. Although they had made some effort to halt Lincoln's progress out wide they then switched off at the breakdown and twice in quick succession they allowed a lone Lincoln runner to break through untouched.

Maudsley's final substitution was to bring veteran flanker John Hume on to celebrate his testimonial game. Despite retiring through injury two years ago Hume has remained a big part of the club's progress in his role as assistant manager and it was fitting that he featured prominently in the final fifteen minutes.

Bourne's Man of the Match was fullback Lynch, away from his normal position of wing. Bourne's best attacking option Lynch also appeared to be single handedly responsible for stopping half-a-dozen Lincoln attacks in the second half that looked to be almost certainly ending in tries.

Although there were other fantastic individual performances Bourne eventually started to lose some of their collective structure and it wasn't long before Lincoln found gaps in the home defence with relative ease. In the final ten minutes Lincoln's prowess finally proved too much and they added a number of tries to finish the game some way in front of their hosts.

Maudsley wasn't unduly worried by the final scoreline and paid testament to his side, "The scoreline got away from us at the end but that doesn't detract from a fantastic performance by the lads. Despite Lincoln's better league status we made a conscious effort to rest some players and get others some game time. It was great seeing Jack Lagdon, for example, having such an influential game at flyhalf."

Hume was delighted to have his input recognised by the club and pleased that the game had gone so well for his side, "It's great to be honoured by the club but I'm a small part of the success here. I packed up playing some time ago and although it isn't the same I've loved watching the club progress in recent years. The result didn't go our way today but the bigger picture for us is how many of the fringe players stepped up to the mark."

Although the club already have one cup final to look forward to Maudsley's final thoughts were with Bourne's remaining league fixtures, "Staying in Mids 3 has always been the priority this year and that hasn't changed. We have four league games left and we won't be thinking about much else until we know we're safe. Each game will be tough in its own right and we must build on our achievements this half of the season if we are to get what we deserve."

Bourne's next game may well prove to be the most difficult as they travel to league leaders Northampton Casuals at the weekend.