Bourne Rugby Club beat Stamford Rugby Club in Counties 1 Midlands East (South)

Table-topping Stamford saw their seven-match winning run ended by a late try as Bourne turned the form-book upside down in Saturday's derby duel.

Harry Thornburn went over for the last-gasp score as bottom-of-the-table Bourne beat their high-flying visitors 13-10 at Milking Nook Drove.

Bourne skipper Sam Evison also kicked eight points as Stamford suffered their first Counties 1 Midlands East (South) loss since the middle of September.

On a day when near gale force winds made any normal rugby nearly impossible, it was a credit to both sides that a match took place at all.

The conditions resulted in passes going astray and controlled kicking was very difficult to execute.

The line outs were also a lottery and the referee allowed them to be played on as straight throw-ins when impossible.

The first half was as highly competitive as any Bourne against Stamford game would be but neither side could gain consistent control.

The hosts managed to convert a penalty from Evison for a half-time lead of 3-0.

The second period continued where the first left off and the effort shown by all players was immense in both attack and defence.

It was Stamford who made the breakthrough as a burst out of defence by Iain Downer was carried on and, when the ball was moved to George Offer, he broke the tackle to run in a try.

Bourne fought back as the half moved on and were rewarded with a second penalty from Evison to make the score 6-5.

Again both sides tried to make ground but the error count was huge as the wind decimated any open play.

Stamford managed to battle their way into the home 22 and a series of pick-and-drives paid off when Ed Cox crashed over for a try to make it 6-10.

As the game reached its final stages, it was Bourne who used the wind well to take them up to the Stamford line and in the dying moments they made an opening for Thornburn to drive over for a try which when converted by Evison made the final score 13-10.

Both sides should be congratulated for playing through extremely difficult conditions which hopefully will not be repeated again this season.

Stamford's lead at the top is now down to six points after the defeat as they host third-placed Biggleswade this weekend looking to avenge their only other league loss this season.

Bourne, who are now just three points adrift at the foot of the table after their third league win of the season, face another derby on Saturday as they travel to Spalding.

Oakham's match at Northampton BBOB in Counties 2 Midlands East (South) was postponed due to the bad weather. They host Dunstablians on Saturday.