Sat 4 Nov 2023, 14:30
Peterborough RUFC entertained Nuneaton at Fortress Fengate this past Saturday and came away well deserved winners of a very hard fought contest by 19-18. The side welcomed back skipper George Offer, Dewi Pearce, Sam Crooks, Ryan Morris and Mooki Tshepo.
Nuneaton started off brightly putting the home side under immense pressure. Despite some brave defence Nuneaton scored the days first points with a try from a rolling maul. Things got even tougher when forward Sam Crooks was forced off with a bad knee injury and second row Will Manning closely followed after a head knock. Peterborough rebounded and grew into the game. After some pressure of their own Borough forced the visitors into conceding repeat penalties 2 of which were converted by Byron Van Uden. The half ended with Borough holding the slimmest of leads 6-5.
The second half started perfectly for Borough with Aram Jones going over for a great team try which was converted by Van Uden, 13-5. Nuneaton however would not give in and using their big forward pack scored a try which was quickly followed by a penalty to bring the scores level at 13 all. Borough however continued to fight, with forwards Robert Moulds,Zac McClure and backs Ian Williams and George Offer throwing themselves at the opposition tryline. Nuneaton felt the pressure and conceded 2 back to back penalties which the inform Van Uden converted for a 19-13 lead and one minute to play. Nuneaton managed to gain possession on Borough's tryline, then disaster for the home supporters at Nuneaton scored a try next to the goal post to give their kicker the easiest of conversions to win the game. But to add to the drama Borough managed to charge down the conversion and win by the smallest of margins 19-18.
Director of Rugby Shane Manning's comments " I'm so proud of the guys, they showed incredible desire to win that. We had some big injures during the game but the guys just got on with the job. Zac McClure, Rob Moulds, Ian Williams and George Offer were immense and our experienced guys like Ross Chamberlain, Van Uden lead us really well. We are away to Oadby Wyggs this week which is never a easy place to go so we will need to show the same grit".
