Impressive Peterborough RUFC topple the leaders thanks to a strong all-round performance
Peterborough RUFC delivered a strong all-round performance to topple Olney from the top of the Regional 2 Midlands East table.
Olney arrived at Fortress Fengate with a perfect playing record of five wins from five matches, but Borough saw them off 27-12 to make it five wins in a row of their own.
The city side remain third, but are within five points of leaders Shelford who have won six out of six, including an opening day win in Fengate. Borough now have a weekend off before hosting local rivals Stamford, a team they failed to beat at this level last season. Stamford warmed up for the November 14 derby day with a crushing 82-7 win over bottom club Nuneaton.
Standings (all played 6): 1 Shelford 30pts, 2 Olney 25pts, 3 Peterborough RUFC 25pts, 4 Bedford Athletic 22pts, 5 Kettering 20pts, 6 Market Harborough 18pts, 7 Hinckley 2nds 18pts, 8 Stamford 14pts, 9 Oadby Wyggs 13pts, 10 Old Saltleians 11pts, 11 Old Coventrian 1pt, 12 Nuneaton 0pts.
Borough’s try scorers were Murphy Hill, Mookie Tshepo, Joash Casbon, Tim Kemp and Arum Jones with Liam Shields adding a conversion.
Borough moved the ball well, with the backs always looking dangerous and the set piece was a real weapon. Up front, the pack worked tirelessly, with standout performances from the back row of Will Manning, Josh Casbon and Declan O’Neill.
Delighted director of rugby Pete Kolakowski said: “I played alongside Josh years ago, and the man just keeps getting better with age! His link play was excellent, and he continues to lead the lineout superbly. Head coach Sam Crooks also put in a full 80-minute shift, bringing valuable experience to the side.
“In the backs, Josh Lynch was outstanding. At one point he made four tackles in a single defensive set. That sort of commitment lifts everyone around him. There was plenty of dog in our defence, and our backs were firing when given the opportunity.
"Most pleasing was the collective effort. Every player put in a shift, and the competition for places, driven by lads pushing hard in the second team, is raising standards across the squad.
“Discipline remains an area to improve though. Three yellow cards put us under unnecessary pressure, and we’ll need to be smarter going forward.
"And a big thank you to the Borough faithful who turned out at Fengate. Your support gave the boys that extra push when it mattered.
“We have a weekend off now before welcoming local rivals Stamford to Fengate. We know they’ll bring a big, fit, well-coached side, and league positions mean nothing in a derby.
“We’re building momentum, but there’s plenty more to come from this group. Hopefully we can get a big crowd down to Fengate for what promises to be an absolute cracker.”
Peterborough Lions went down 56-17 at Northampton Casuals in Counties 2 Midlands East. Connor Sloan and Ryan Bosworth scored tries for the city side will Will Moore kicking the rest of the points.
Other scores: Bourne 40 Syston 2nds 14; Peterborough RUFC 2nds 19, Shelford 3rds 21; Spalding 31, Mellish 12; Stamford College Old Boys 5, Loughborough 2nds 40.