Sat 26 Oct 2024
Peterborough RUFC enjoyed home comforts on Saturday when they comfortably beat Leicester Forest 45-22. The bonus point win moves borough off the bottom off the table up to tenth place.
In front of a big home crowd Peterborough weren't at the races for the first ten minutes which has become the norm this season and soon found themselves trailing Leicester Forest by 10-0. The Fengate side soon found their grove and at times played their best rugby of the season. First half tries to Michael Teague, Aram Jones and Pat Webb were all converted by Byron Van Uden and saw Borough build a good lead. Forest had the final say of the first half much to the annoyance of the home coaches after some ill discipline from Borough gave the visitors good territory which they capitalised on to score a converted try right on halftime leaving the score at 21-12.
The start of the second half has been a real issue this season for Borough but on this occasion they were able to fire. A Forest lineout was stolen by Cliff Casbon who surged towards the tryline only to be stopped just short, Captain Luke Swindells was on hand and smashed his way over to score. Aram Jones then added his second try of the day shortly after to further increase the home side's lead to 33-12. Forest to their credit kept attacking and using their big forwards scored 3 more tries of their own to bring them back into the game. Borough outside centre Mooki Tshepo who has been a stand out performer this season soon eased any fears of a Forest come back as he took a quick tap penalty and ran through untouched to score a well deserved try. Mooki was soon in the action again, Borough attacked from their own tryline, Van Uden put in a well placed chip kick which Mooki collected and outpaced the covering defence to score his second.
Borough can be happy with their 45-22 scoreline as this game showed what they can produce when they are able to follow their game plan and focus for long periods of time.
Director of Rugby Shane Manning's comments " it was a much needed win. The lads played with a bit of freedom and trusted each other and how we want to play. Mooki, Alfie Lewis and vice-captain Will Manning were stand outs for us and Michael Teague always looks like a threat whenever he has ball in hand and in space. We have a well earned week off now before we travel to Market Harborough who will be a difficult team to beat. We will need to match their physicality in order for us to play the way we want. It wont be easy but hopefully the lads will have some confidence to go and have a go at them."
