This weeks league match saw Boro host newly promoted Oadby Wyggs to Cut Throat Lane, both team had identical win records and were looking to consolidate in the top part of the table. Another week and another raft of changes, in the front row Kieran Loveridge moved from the bench to start at prop, captain Chris Shipman moved from his usual position of 8 to the second row. The back row saw two changes with Joel Smith making his first start of the season at openside and Dan Sims coming back into the side to start at 8. In the backs, Ed Johnson started on the wing after recovering from injury. On the bench there were was one change with Rhys Fereday being a late call-up to the bench.

1st Half
Oadby kicked off and were immediately on the attack and were awarded with an early penalty after some positive play. A good steal of the ball by Harry Bryan in a maul saw Boro manage to get some possession but an error at the ruck saw Oadby awarded with a kickable penalty which was missed. Oadby seemed to be on top and it took a good cover tackle from Nathan Gardiner to prevent the try this was followed by a turnover by the back three and the ball was cleared. The score eventually came for Oadby and some good accurate passing from them saw space open up on the right wing for the try to be scored (Boro 0v5 Oadby). From the kick off Boro pressurised the Oadby attack and earned a turnover, Oadby's backline were caught offside and Pete Vickers had the chance to score but pushed the kick wide. The next attack saw Boro push the ball wide and Harry Bryan broke through the line to draw the last defender before passing the ball inside to an onrushing Andy Seaton who scored Boro's opening try which was then converted (Boro 7v5 Oadby).

Oadby answered back,this time Boro were caught not rolling away at a ruck and the penalty was scored to give Oadby back the lead (Boro 7v8 Oadby). Oadby were starting to make more inroads into the Boro defence and managed to get up to the Boro line but some strong work at the ruck by Joel Smith saw Boro escape. A break from Nathan Gardiner after the backs put him in space saw Boro move upfield, this was followed by a couple of penalties, the last one was ran and after three phases the space opened up on the blindside for Steven Gall to saunter into and score a try to give Boro the lead (Boro 12v8 Oadby). Straight from the kick off a lack of concentration cost Boro as the ball was won by Oadby and two phases later they were in the corner to score a try which was converted (Boro 12v15 Oadby). Oadby weren't finished there and were awarded with a third try after some poor first up tackles by Boro allowed an Oadby player to break free and score their third try of the game (Boro 12v22 Oadby). The half time whistle blew with Boro needing to up their efforts in the second half.

HT Score
Wellingborough 12 v 22 Oadby Wyggestonians

2nd Half
The second half started with a break and kick through by Oadby, it took some good scrambling defensive work from Connor Riley to prevent the score. Boro were struggling to get a foothold and the Oadby attacking play and retention of ball was causing issues, a penalty was soon awarded to them and was converted extending their lead (Boro 12v25 Oadby). Boro had to fight to get any possession of the ball and soon had a penalty of their own which was put into the corner, however, Boro could not take advantage, but another penalty straight after saw a much more positive outcome. Andy Seaton made a half break through the Oadby defence and the resultant penalty after Oadby hadn't rolled away was tapped. Chris Shipman and Harry Bryan managed to get the Oadby defence back tracking to their own line, the forwards carried hard to get over the Oadby try line and it was Dan Sims who managed to get the vital score which was converted (Boro 19v25 Oadby).

A stupid penalty at the next kick off saw Oadby put the ball into the corner, but the Oadby maul met some strong defence and again it was Joel Smith who managed to win the ball back for Boro. Both teams were now desperate to win the ball which resulted in some scrappy play with penalties being conceded by both sides. Another ball steal by Joel Smith saw the ball pushed wide and this time Steven Gall made the half break before passing to Andy Seaton who made his way into the Oadby 22, but a handling mistake saw Oadby clear their lines. Back came Boro and this time a poor tackle on Andy Seaton saw an Oadby player sent to the sin bin, the one man advantage spurred Boro on with Matt Ellson and Ben Morton-Bright carrying the ball into the heart of the Oadby defence. Phases and phases now followed with every yard being fought for by both sides, but then the ball broke left and Pete Vickers burst through a gap and rounded the last defender before dotting the ball down and then converting his own score to give Boro the lead (Boro 26v25 Oadby). There were still a couple of minutes to go so Boro tried to keep the ball and go through ruck after ruck, however, an error saw Oadby kick to the corner and they were given one final chance only to knock the ball on giving Boro the win.

FT Score
Wellingborough 26 v 25 Oadby Wyggestonians

Another week and another nailbiter, it seems like the close win is the latest way forward for the Boro 1st XV. This game was peppered with errors and there is still a lot to be worked on in terms of accuracy, however, its still a win giving Boro one of their best starts in this league. Training is crucial this week especially with an away game at ONs next week! #wegoagain