Wellingborough 38 - 19 BBOB

Wellingborough looked hungover from their Christmas break as they made hard work of over-turning Northampton BBOB at Cut Throat Lane.

It was the visitors who got the better of the early exchanges and scored a try out wide after some sloppy defending in the centre by Boro.

Boro then countered but failed to string any moves together until winger Dom Smart created a try from nothing with a clever chip over BBOB's defence and using his pace, outstripped the full back to touch down behind the posts.

Both sides appeared evenly matched with BBOB getting the better of the forward battle and Boro's back line seemingly unable to complete any of their planned moves.

A single Peter Vickers penalty just before the break saw Boro turn around 10-5 ahead but looking far from convincing.

A stern talking to at half time appeared to have done the trick when from the kick off, Boro's forwards and backs combined to create a gap for Vickers to slice through and touch down, adding the two points as well.

BBOB were not prepared to accept defeat however and came straight back with a try. Poor defence from Boro saw the visitors with a large over-lap and despite desparate defence from full back Rob Armstrong where BBOB appeared to have been forced into touch, a try was awarded and with the conversion added, BBOB were back in the game at 17-12.

Boro then pressed the accelerator and flanker Chris Shipman was unlucky to have a try dis-allowed when he clearly touched down after breaking through ther centre. Seconds later however, winger Smart again showed his pace to cut through the BBOB back line, Vickers again adding the conversion.

Boro's pack then assumed the ascendancy for the first time in the match and from a line out on five metres, drove over for a further score, Chris Shipman touching down with Vickers converting.

Rob Armstong finished Boro's scoring with a well worked move out wide which involved both forwards and backs combining, Vickers finishing a good afternoon with the boot with his 5th conversion.

BBOB responded with a late score after Boro had been reduced to 13 men following the issue of two yellow cards for foul play to bring the final score to 38-19.

Club Captain Dudley Cross commented from the touchline "we were far from convincing today but we're lucky that the fixture list has been kind to us and we didn't have the sternest of tests today. We need to get back on the training pitch and brush up ready for Olney next week in the Lou Wilkinson Cup"

Croyland Megastore Man of the Match: Jon Bolton