Skegness 1st XV 41-12 Bourne 1st XV

     Skegness returned to winning ways with an impressive away display at Bourne. With a mix up in kick off times the blue and whites had little time to prepare for the encounter. This showed as within the first five minute the home side scored.
A five metre defensive scrum was won against the head by the multitalented captain Machin. The ball, however, shot out of the back of the scrum. An attempted clearance ricocheted of the scrum and the ball spun into the try area.  The Bourne scrum half scored to give his team the lead 5-0.
This early try kicked the Skegness team into gear. Excellent work and quick thinking from a penalty saw Machin offloaded the ball to Horner to score Skegness’ first try. Halliday kicked the conversion to give the away team the lead 7-5.
Divilly scored the next which started on the half way line. Good running from Spiers, down the touchline, and a well timed pass found his captain. Machin then spun out of a tackle and passed the ball to Stevenson. The experienced prop heard Divilly on his shoulder and with a subtle pass gave his scrum half a twenty five metre sprint to score. This extended the score to 12-5.
Various players created the next try. Taylor’s hard running and Hills ripping in the mauls created gaps in the opposition defence. Forwards and backs linked together in harmony to pave the way for Smith to score. The centre playing on the flank took his opportunity to continue the onslaught and moved the score board to 17-5.
Numerous attacks by the back line gave Wood an opportunity to score. His opposite number, however, thwarted his efforts with a good tackle. As the ball was hacked down field the full back Hotchin, gathered the ball with ease, his counter kick was inch perfect and Skegness remained in the Bourne half.
The try scoring machine of Haigh used his traditional step and go to increase his tally this year. He is the favourite to retain his trophy this season. Halliday converted with a drop kick to make the score 24-5
Bignell made a welcome return and soon added to the score board by running hard at the Bourne defence. His dummy and shuffle out-foxed the covering fullback and touch downed under the posts. Halliday converted and Skegness found themselves 31-5 up at half time.
Indiscipline and errors was the story in the second half as Skegness attempted to add to their score. Handling in the rucks and off-sides killed the blue and white who had the wind and sun to their backs. As yards were made in attack slow support and indecisive play meant that Bourne could clear their lines.
Skegness targeted the blind side of the pitch. Kime almost scored a true wingers try by racing down the touch line but could not break the defence. Haigh came to the rescue and scored a rapier like try. A strong scrum gave him the platform to run down the blind side. With the defence in disarray he ran through to score.
The next try was the result of good tackling and quick thinking. Divilly won a penalty at the ruck as Bourne were slow to react to their centre getting caught behind the gain line. Halliday’s quick tap sent the ball down the back line. Cook playing in the outside centre position scored a strong and determined try. Halliday could not convert in the strong winds and Skegness had a 41-5 lead.
Further penalties and a lack of urgency gave the home side the final score of the game as their centre ran under the posts to score. Next week the sea-siders travel to Stamford College to play in the Lincs cup semi-final. Lets hope they can deliver away from home fro the second week. Further information about Skegness rugby club is available on our web site, www.skegness-rufc.co.uk this contains pictures, events and links to other websites.

Skegness 1st XV
Stevenson, Machin, Horner, Hill, Spiers, Taylor, Smith, Bignell,
Divilly, Halliday, Wood, Haigh, Cook, Kime, Hotchin.