Bournemouth 3 Bishop's Stortford 1st XV 20

The fact that both sides had been subject to several changes since last week was apparent in a first half littered with mistakes on both sides. Stortford had difficulty in retaining possession and the home side were initially more protective of their ball, but they never managed to threaten the visitors’ line against a much improved defence. Stortford’s cause was helped early on, as the Bournemouth no 4, Andy Graesser was yellow carded for taking out an opponent in the air at a 5 metre lineout. Speedy advantage was taken, as Stortford opted for a scrum and, after one re-set and one penalty, drove the third attempt remorselessly forward and excellent control at the base by Steve Ball brought the No 8 a well-deserved try. The conversion attempt from flyhalf, James Orbart flew narrowly wide. Bournemouth enjoyed the majority of possession for the rest of the half, but it was Stortford that twice came closest to scoring again towards the end of the period. Although these chances eluded them, it provided confidence for the second half, where they were to be playing into the breeze.

The visitors started the second period in a much more controlled fashion and settled down into some kind of rhythm, based on good, close support at phase after phase. This brought a second try to the team, as hooker, Sam James touched down at the back of a classical driving maul from a 5 metre lineout. Generous as ever, Stortford proceeded to lose the ball at the restart, putting themselves under immediate pressure and Bournemouth retained possession through a number of phases until a penalty was awarded for handling at the ruck. Scrumhalf, Sam Hardcastle was able to register the three points for the home team, 10 minutes into the half. There followed some 8 minutes later a rare passage of impressive attacking rugby, as a scything run out of defence by Stortford fullback, Nick Hankin was exploited to the full with Marcus Cattell, newly on as substitute at 10, making a good break, taken on impressively by second row, Liam Caulfield and well finished off by Sam Winter on his first game back from injury. The visitors were now pretty much in control, but it took until the 29th minute for Ross Bird to notch his team’s bonus-point winning fourth try. This came off a good half break by scrumhalf, Tom Banks, which created room for replacement centre, Jimmy Rea, who cut an excellent line to run some 40 yards before switching the ball inside to his winger, who was able to force his way over through the last tackle to touch down out wide. This took the score to 3-20, as the conversion attempt by Banks from out wide fell just short. Stortford were now well on top and continued to press, but some brave Bournemouth defence prevented any further score, as they finished with only 14 men, following a late injury, after all substitutes had been committed.