In this top of the table encounter Boston were beaten by the power of the Market Rasen forwards who made Boston undertake an afternoon of painful tackle practice.
Boston will rue their inability during the game to consistently secure clear possession in the line out and scrum, which severely hampered their ambition to play any rugby and starved the visitors of possession, especially in the first half.
During the afternoon the Blue and White’s heart and commitment could not be faulted and for long periods of the match they remained in contention. Despite getting themselves into good field position, they could not win the quality possession required and unleash their back division. It would prove to be Market Rasen’s ability to “up their game” and score at crucial periods in this encounter which would be Boston’s undoing.
Boston started well with player/coach Steve Booth missing an early penalty and drop goal attempt to put them into the lead. A Rasen try was quickly followed by a penalty by Booth to reduce the arrears.
A similar pattern occurred when after Market Rasen’s second try, another penalty by Booth saw Boston trail by 6-10. At this stage, with 20 minutes gone on the clock, Booth was forced to retire, the resulting re-shuffle saw Paul Jarvis move to fly half, Sam Wainwright to full back and Matt Sharman came off the bench onto the wing. A third Rasen try saw Boston enter half time 6-17 down. Despite being on the back foot for most of the first half, they were still in contention.
The second half started poorly for the visitors – conceding an early penalty to go 6 – 20 down. The match then went into limbo for the next 20 minutes, with neither team threatening to score. However a 5 minute spell by Market Rasen who upped the tempo, saw them score two further tries to secure victory.
With minutes remaining of the match as Rasen launched a final attack 5 metres from Boston’s line, full back Sam Wainwright intercepted a pass and sprinted down the length of the field, hotly pursued by two Rasen backs.
Realising that he did not have the legs to score, he offloaded to the supporting Paul Jarvis, to score. The subsequent conversion by Wainwright was a consolation for the team's endeavour and hard work.
Next week Boston’s scheduled game v Lincoln in the NLD cup is cancelled as Lincoln play in EDF cup. The following week Boston play third placed Belgrave at home in the league, in a must win match if they are serious in maintaining their promotion challenge.Boston XVI Sampson, J Rowlands, A Buckberry, N Lane, L Eldin ,S Lovely, R Linnell, R Justice , T Kemp, A Myles , S Booth, J Brooks, L Bowman, P Jarvis, S Wainwright Replacements
K Lines, C Dowse, M Sharman
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