This week saw Boro make the short travel to Old Scouts for a game under the lights on Friday. More changes this week, in the pack Andy Fordham came into the second row and Alex Bean moved across to the flank, in addition Joe Staden made his first start on the flank with Connor Gordon moving to the bench. The back line saw multiple changes with Connor Riley starting at scrum half, Nathan and Luke Gardiner both started on the wings and Andy Seaton moved to full back. The bench saw Kieran Loveridge and Kieran Checkley join Connor Gordon.

1st Half
The early exchanges saw Boro start with the majority of the ball and construct a couple of early attacks but mistakes from both sides mean that it was a scrappy start. The scrum started to dominate and this was rewarded with a penalty, this was closely followed by breaks from Chris Shipman and Ewan Pattison as Boro looked to open the scoring. The pressure was cranked up by Boro and one penalty was put into the corner but another error saw Old Scouts clear their lines. The lack of a score from Boro nearly came back to bite them, a penalty was awarded to Old Scouts but the kick was missed. Old Scouts now had the momentum and it took some strong defence to prevent the score, a long clearance from Pete Vickers saw Boro move from their own 22 into the Old Scouts 22, and then an error allowed Boro a shot at goal which Pete Vickers put between the uprights (OldS 0v3 Boro).

Some good pressure by Nathan Gardiner allowed Boro to construct an attack into the Boro 22 and another offence by Old Scouts saw one of their players sent to the bin. The resulting penalty was converted by Pete Vickers to extend Boro's lead (OldS 0v6 Boro). Just before half time Old Scouts scored their first points, a break out wide and some missed tackles saw the Old Scouts winger dot down in the corner (OldS 5v6 Boro). There was one final chance for Boro but an error saw the half time whistle blown.

HT Score
Northampton Old Scouts 5 v 6 Wellingborough

2nd Half
Boro started off the quickest once the whistle had blown with Harry Bryan and Ryan McGealy carrying the ball strongly, the pressure from Boro resulted in a penalty which was kicked to the corner. Eventually Boro managed to get over the try line but Luke Gardiner was held up by the Old Scouts defence so Boro were rewarded with a scrum. After three or four resets and penalties Boro were awarded with a penalty try for their scrum dominance and another Old Scouts player was sent to the bin (OldS 5v13 Boro). The defence was soon called upon and it took some good try line defence and a scramble back to prevent the score. However, the Old Scouts score eventually came with an attack out wide to bring them with one point of Boro (OldS 12v13 Boro). Immediately Boro were awarded with a penalty themselves which was converted by Pete Vickers (OldS 12v16 Boro).

Boro were now getting the majority of the ball, Connor Gordon and Matt Ellson both made half breaks but Boro couldn't find that final pass. Boro then gifted a score to Old Scouts, the counter attack was on but the final pass in the Boro 22 was intercepted and Old Scouts dotted the ball down to give them the lead for the first time (OldS 19v16 Boro). Both sides were now pushing for the score and it took an opportunist score from Boro to take the lead, a ruck formed just outside the Old Scouts 22 and Pete Vickers spotted a lack of defence around the ruck and shot through the other side of the ruck and squeezed into the corner to give Boro the lead (OldS 19v21 Boro) with 4 minutes to go. Some smart play from Boro saw them move up to the Old Scouts try line with the clock running down, but there was still time for another Old Scouts player to be sent to the bin. The final moments saw Boro take no risks and therefore the win.

FT Score
Northampton Old Scouts 19 v 21 Wellingborough

So another tight game and another victory, one of the differences between this year and previous seasons has been the ability to see out close games and come away with the victory. At the moment the error count is still too high with passes going behind players, silly penalties being conceded which is partly down to the amount of changes being made, however, it does have the feel that it is going to click soon and someone is going to take a beating from us. Next week sees a home game against Oadby, lets all get there for training and push for three teams on Sat.