Bourne Rugby Club are victorious against Newbold-on-Avon
Bourne began 2025 with a convincing 32-15 win over third-placed Newbold-on-Avon on Saturday.
After two postponements due to frozen pitches, Bourne were chomping at the bit to get the new calendar year up and running.
They are currently sitting bottom of the Counties 1 Midlands East (South) table so were desperate for a victory to kick-start their relegation fight.
Despite near freezing conditions, the pitch was in good shape and, with little wind to contest with, the scene was set for both sides to exhibit some attacking rugby.
Bourne flew out of the blocks and began to attack the Newbold pack around the breakdown early with quick ball facilitated by scrum-half Gordon Taylor, which then allowed their backline to spring into life.
Taylor fed his fly-half, Liam Shields, who fired a flat ball across the Newbold defence to open up the wide channel and the first try of the day was finished off by number eight Tom Dixon.
Skipper Sam Evison, enjoying one of the rare windless days at Milking Nook Drove, kicked the conversion from the touchline to give his side an early 7-0 lead.
Newbold seemed unable to counteract the speed at which Bourne operated at in the opening period of the match and were once again pinned on their own line.
The home side added a second try through Taylor, who dummied at the base of the ruck and dived over from close range to open his account for Bourne.
Newbold did manage to apply some pressure towards the end of the first half, their number 10 dancing through Bourne’s defence to score under the posts.
This was converted to narrow Bourne’s lead to 12-7 before Evison slotted a penalty to leave the score at 15-7 at the interval.
The away side, clearly rallied by their half-time chat, started the second 40 minutes the strongest and scored their second try off the back of an 80 yard break.
The try was unconverted and Bourne remained in the lead and from the kick off they resumed how they had begun the first half.
After applying constant pressure on the Newbold defence, particularly a strong carry from back-up hooker Adam Binns, Shields pinned them back with a penalty kick for touch five metres out from their line.
A well executed set piece move saw front-rower Bobby Pearce fly over for his side’s third try which was converted by Evison and Bourne now led 22-12.
Newbold did come back with a penalty of their own, but from then on it was all Bourne.
Hooker Harry Thornburn extended their lead following a destructive driving maul and, following the conversion, Bourne now had a healthy 29-15 lead.
Evison took his points tally to 12 with a further penalty to move the home side out of reach.
The final whistle confirmed Bourne’s victory, one that they will hope will kickstart a resurgence for them as they endeavour to climb out of the relegation zone.
Back-row Liam Hind, a new recruit for the season, was named player of the match for his efforts on both sides of the ball.
He went through a huge amount of work in defence and was relentless in stealing yards from the opposition on attack.
Hind said: "It was important we started the second half of the season well after a disappointing first half.
"We were pleased with Saturday's result but we know there is a lot of hard work still to do.
"We are confident we have a squad capable of moving up the table and this was a step in the right direction."
Bourne now have a rest week before they travel to Corby to face Stewart and Lloyds on February 1.