Bourne Rugby Club beat Oakham Rugby Club in Counties 1 Midlands East (South)
Bourne Rugby Club made it six wins from six since the turn of the New Year after victory over Oakham at the Rutland Showground on Saturday.
They recorded a 33-13 victory to continue their climb up the Counties 1 Midlands East (South) table.
Bourne have now risen up fourth spot after their impressive run which has also featured wins over Long Buckby, Market Bosworth, Old Laurentians, Peterborough Lions and Bugbrooke.
Skipper Sam Evison praised the progress of his side who have continued to develop as the season has progressed.
He commented: "Oakham really tested us in a lot of areas so it was pleasing that we found a way to win and scored some really impressive tries in the process.
"Earlier in the season, we were finding ways to lose these types of matches so to come out on top the way we did is a sign of how far this squad has come."
It was Oakham, however, who started the match stronger on Saturday.
They spent the opening exchanges in Bourne's half as the visitors struggled to exit effectively due to playing into a harsh breeze.
Bourne did manage to prevent Oakham from scoring though as scrum-half JJ Roberts held up the home centre over the line in what was the highlight of a stern defensive effort from the away side.
Bourne managed to gain some momentum in the match and were able to get onto the scoresheet first through winger Jack Berry.
Prop Conor Kelly started the move with a great carry on the halfway line before some slick handling from the Bourne backs created space for centre Josh Lynch to take his side to within five metres.
Fly-half Liam Shields then fed Berry with an audacious first time slap pass and the veteran back showed that age is just a number as he crashed over for his 10th try of the season.
Bourne scored once more before half-time with new signing Ramsden firing over from short range to give his new side a 12-point lead once Evison added the conversion.
In the second half, Bourne should have found it easier as they were playing with the wind, however Oakham again flew out of the blocks, this time with scoreboard success.
They added a penalty and a try within the first five minutes of the half, to bring them back to within a try with the score being 12-8.
Fortunately for the Bourne travelling support, this was enough of a wake-up call for their side to raise their standards.
Winger Ben Thornburn ran onto an excellent long pass from Shields to score in the corner, in the process making it the second remarkable assist of the day for Bourne’s fly-half.
Evison added the extras from the touchline and Bourne now led 19-8.
Oakham did manage to score once more, this time from a crossfield kick, but Bourne bounced back with another try from Ramsden, his second try making it a debut to remember for the powerful back-rower.
Shields took over kicking duties as Evison was removed due to injury and his first attempt of the day was successful and gave his side a 26-13 lead.
The away side added another try in the last play of the game, Lynch adding a try to top off a fantastic performance in both attack and defence.
Despite losing his footing, Shields added the conversion from out wide, he too topping off a magnificent display.
Bourne have a break from league action this weekend before hosting third-placed Stamford at Milking Nook Drove in what promises to be a titanic tussle on Saturday, March 2.
