Sat 21 Dec 2024
Peterborough RUFC finished 2024 with hard fought victory at Fortress Fengate over Broadstreet RUFC by 33-29 to make it four wins in a row. The game was in the balance right up to the full time whistle and both sides should be congratulated for playing such entertaining game. Borough did look off the pace in the first half despite scoring three tries but a much improved second half saw them deserved winners.
From the on set both teams were moving the ball well and traded tries. Borough struck first after a Murphy Hill break was finished off by number 8 Alfie Lewis. This was quickly followed by the visitors scoring back to back tries to take an early lead by 10-5. Both sides then traded scores with Nick Langton and Captain Luke Swindells scoring converted tries for the home side but Broadstreet finished the half the stronger with two converted tries giving them a 24-19 lead. The game was shaping up as a contest between Boroughs forwards against the classy Broadstreet backs.
There was a sense at halftime that the game was starting to slip away from Borough but after some clear instruction from coaches Sam Crooks and Brendan Burke the necessary changes were made to turn the game Boroughs way. The introduction of Dewi Pearce and Daniel Nunn just after halftime to the front row saw Boroughs scrum monster Broadstreet and would set the tone for the rest of the game. A rolling maul which has been a good weapon for Borough this season saw flanker Robert Moulds score a converted try and with it give Borough the lead at 26-24. Broadstreet were launching wave after wave of attack but Borough's improved line speed kept them at bay. Then after more forward pressure scrum half Pat Webb scored a try. With Byron Van Uden adding the conversion Broadstreet would have to score twice to win. With time almost up Broadstreet scored but with the conversion missed Borough had done enough secure a very hard fought win by 33-29 and sit in 6th place in Regional 2 East Midlands.
Director of Rugby Shane Manning's comments " it was a great way to finish the first half of the season. We started slow but to turn it around in the second half showed great heart. We are sitting in a good position half way through the season after a difficult start. This is a new team after so many senior players had retired, the difference now is the younger players have stepped up and taken over the leadership and made it their own. We have 18,19,20 year olds in the side and Captain Luke Swindells is only 24 so its pleasing to see them learning and getting better. We have a couple weeks off now over Christmas and then have the unenviable task of playing run away league leaders Lutterworth away on the 4th of January. We have nothing to lose in a game like this so we worry about what we want to gain from it and hopefully continue on improving.
