Peterborough Lions are off the mark, Peterborough RUFC to play with no fear against title favourites, Thorney start anniversary campaign in style

​The city side were 12-3 down to Old Laurentians early in the game at Bretton Park, 22-16 behind at half-time and they fell 25-23 down late in the game before two penalties from man-of-the-match Will Moore delivered a very welcome 29-25 victory.

Moore’s penalty kept Lions in touch in the first quarter of the game before a try in the corner from flying winger Rokotamana Davui after a superb set-piece move gave his side some momentum. Moore added the conversion and two more penalties before the break.

After an extended interval to allow heavy rain to pass Lions took charge and went into the lead for the first time, after some sustained pressure, with a try from number eight Tomo Clark and a Moore conversion. The visitors kicked their way back in front before Moore had the last word, He finished on 19 points.

Lions are at home again this Saturday against Vipers.

PETERBOROUGH RUFC

Borough insists they will play with no fear when hosting Regional 2 Midlands East title favourites Lutterworth at Fengate on Saturday (3pm).

The visitors have won all three games this season, whereas Borough’s 35-22 loss at Broadstreet last weekend left them in 10th with five points from their three matches.

"It will be a stern test for our lads, but that's why we play the game,” Borough director of rugby Shane Manning said. “We will play with no fear and have a go at them."

Borough felt they could have beaten Coventry-based Broadstreet.

They fought back from 12-0 down to trail 12-7 at the break and closed to within three points in the second-half before the home side pulled away again with two late tries.

The excellent Mooki Tshepo claimed two tries for Borough with captain Luke Swindells also crossing. Byron Van Uden kicked the rest of the city side’s points.

Manning added: “Tt was a winnable game on the road, but our slow start hurt us. However the lads delivered an improved performance from last week and are always learning, if we keep improving each game we will be in a good place later in the season. The little details are what we are struggling with at the moment but that's to be expected with a new, young squad.

"Pat Webb and Mooki Tshepo stood out for us today with Mooki in particular being a constant threat in attack. It will be a stern test this Saturday, but that's why we play the game. We will play with no fear and have a go at them."

THORNEY

Thorney shook off any concerns about possible rustiness to beat Peterborough Centurions 21-7 in their first Eastern Counties Division One West game of the season.

​The Borough second string had played and won the week before, but they ultimately had no answer to Thorney’s forward power in a keenly-contested derby at Fengate.

A Marcus Bradshaw try and conversion from Owen Davies gave the visitors a 7-0 half-time lead and this was stretched to 14-0 early in the second-half as Davies converted a Stefan Almond try with a terrific kick from wide out.

Borough did respond with well-worked try for Paddy Berryman which Will Sismey converted, but Thorney, who have set out on a 35th anniversary campaign, sealed the win when Dino Perna powered over the try line. Davies again converted.

Bradshaw was named man-of-the-match for some fantastic ball carries for Thorney.

OUNDLE

It’s three wins in three Regional One South East League games for Oundle who won their Northants derby at Old Northamptonians 26-5.

Forward power was crucial for Oundle with Matt Collins particularly impressive. Leaders Oundle travel to third placed Shelford on Saturday.

JUNIORS

Peterborough Rugby Club's Under 15 boys made a fantastic start to their East Midlands Cup campaign by beating the traditionally strong Kettering club on their own turf.

Harry Bennett, Garry Palmer and Osker Stocks scored a try apiece while Jonty Faith converted two of the three and also kicked a penalty.

The Under 13s showed a lot of promise in their pre-season warm-up game against Stamford, but lost narrowly 15-10 with Harvey Sutliff and Rilley Eldon getting the tries.