Smedley brace helps Borough to another win

They entertained Old Northamptonians and gained revenge for a 12-5 loss from earlier in the season when running out 24-17 victors. That makes it eight wins and a draw from their last nine games.

It wasn’t one of Borough’s best performances but they were delighted to chalk up another bonus-point victory.

“To be honest it was a scrappy game,” saod Borough vice-chairman Archie Bennett. “Both sides hadn’t played for three weeks and were a little bit rusty.

“The win sets us up nicely for next week’s local derby with Oundle.”

Borough fell 7-0 in arrears after 15 minutes but bounced back immediately with an individual try from winger Louis Smedley, who raced 40 metres to touch down under the posts. Matt Newman added a conversion to make it 7-7.

Not long after, Smedley crossed again and then on the stroke of half-time Michael Bean raced in for Borough’s third try. Newman converted that one and it was 19-10 to Borough at the break.

ONs closed the gap to 19-17 early in the second half but then skipper Stuart Day scored for Borough after great work by Chris Sykes to make the final score 24-17.

For Borough, who were without key back row boys Rob Mould and Zak McClure, there were eye-catching displays by second row John Thompson, scrum-half Ross Chamberlain, flanker Luke Swindells and Smedley.

Borough stay fourth in the table, one place behind Oundle.

Oundle lost 17-6 at home to second-placed Paviors today.