Northampton B.B.O.B.R.F.C.

Ben 'Porky' Mann's return to the BB sparked a vitally important win for BB over fellow strugglers Casuals. In a gripping tense derby the game had virtually everything including 6 yellow cards. As the forwards knocked bits out of one another BB's better backs provided the win. After early Casuals pressure BB moved upfield and a lovely chip from Alex Milne provided Mann with a score Adam Willix con 7-0. BB came back and a lovely break from Milne put Mann in again, Willix con. Willix who placed kicked beautifully all afternoon kicked two pens to put BB in at halt time 20-0.

Just after half time a huge leap from Gavin Kendall provided quality ball, great hands from the backs the try of the day for Mann's hat trick, 25-0. Casuals responded with a try from the Number 8 and con 25-7. Willix kicked another penalty 28-7, but Casuals in ever worsening conditions scored a consolation 28-14. But this did not detracted from a fully deserved BB win.

After their drubbing in the home fixture things looked ominous for the BB at Cut Throat Lane. But after taking early pressure a wayward kick was fielded and flying winger David Abraham ran 60 yards to score in the corner 0-5. Back came Boro for their forwards to drive over + conversion 7-5. Boro missed an easy kick but then added 3 more from another pen 10-5 HT.

Boro left the pitch at HT to recieve a severe 'Telling Off' from their coaches. Which they responded to from a 5 metre lineout they drove over and con 17-5. Back came BB who looked good all afternoon with ball in hand for Alex Szermeta to score another long range try superbly converted by Adam Willix 17-12. Boro missed another penalty kick but secured the game in a 4 minute spell around the hour with 2 converted tries 31-12. Boro looked to have secured the final try with a superb breakout from defence, great support and handling 38-12, but not to be outdone David Abraham scored his second and Willix converted. 38-19. BB have no fixture next week but will try to arrange there Lewis Shield game away at Brackley. 

There was no early Christmas present for the BB as they suffered another big defeat. It all started brightly when David Abraham scored the first try for BB. 5-0. Then the old story of bad decision making and poor tackling took over for BB to concede 3 tries 2 con. 5-19 HT.

Although playing some good rugby in short spurts BB conceded 3 more tries 1 con 5-36. As always BB keep going to the end and Warren Mackie scored a late consolation 10-36.

 

15/12/07.

BB won the relegation battler with a hard fought win over Daventry, on a freezing dismal afternoon at the Mill. The game lacked quality and cohesion, but made up for that with the full power commitment. It looked ominous for BB when from the Ko they were penalised, Daventry kicked to the corner and rumbled the resulting lineout over 5-0. BB responded and after 2 missed pens Alex Milne landed one 3-5 HT.

Daventry with their pack dominating the tight proceeding continued to take the game to BB. Although it was BB who scored next after some god hands from skipper Adam Willix dotted down 8-5. Back came Daventry who laid siege to the BB line, but some good defence aided by debutant Aaron Baker held firm. Fair play to Daventry who spurned an easy 3 points to go for the win. The game ended with Daventry camped on the BB line wondering what might have been.

Next week BB continue the battle with a trip to Leicester Vipers.

BB took another mauling this time in the Alliance Cup at the cold but bright Billing Road. ON's from the league above scored tries at regular intervals after gaining early forward dominance particulary at scrum time. Trailing 30-3 at half time Alex Milne pen, the drubbing continued.

For BB it was nice to see so many of 1st XV players albeit watching. The only bright spot was the promising debuts of colts Ross Bowden and Jack Briggs.

Next week BB face a real relegation league dogfight when Bottom side Daventry visit the Mill.

BB's dismal run of form continued with another loss in a game played at Hinchinbrooke school. Spirred on by a voilatile, noisy, but not too knowledgable crowd, who tried to intimidate the BB after last weeks mauling. The tactics seemed to work as Hunts raced into a 17-0 lead (2 converted tries 1 pen). Just before HT BB broke from deep and Ben Mann ran in from the halfway, Alex Milne Con 17-7 HT.

Now playing with the strong wind BB forced themselves nearer with a close range try from veteran prop Karl Haddon con Milne. 17-14. BB's long suffering support thought a win was on, but shocking tackling and poor decision making cost BB 3 more tries, two cons 36-14 next week BB play their eleventh league or cup game on the trot with a visit to the ON's in the Alliance Cup.

BB were handeda rugby playing lesson by an excellent Boro. Depleted BB had no answer to the pace and power of the league leaders. A squad containing the likes of ex Saints Dom Malone, Kevin Todd and many ex Academy lads carried to many big guns for a brave BB. Tries were scored at regular intervals but BB kept battling right to the end. Next week BB try to get back on track with a trip to Huntingdon.

BB were sucked further into the relagation mire with defeat to the Casuals in a desperately poor game at Rushmills. The first half was probably the worst in all the meetings between these old clubs. Casuals took the lead when their scrum half wandered over from a short range lineout. 5-0. But then left the field concussed. BB responded after missing a long range pen, another in front of the posts was run, incredibe. 5-0 HT.

The large crowd all agreed it could only get better, perhaps, not aided by a referee exchange who did not know his offside from his nearside or backside went down injured but could carry on. Casuals now under pressure lost thei 6 & 9 to the sin bin. BB turned the screw scoring three close range tries two from Warren Mackie and sub Gavin Kendall + 1 conversion Alex Milne 5-17, to Casuals one pen 8-17. It was now BB's turn to transgress as second row Luke Berwick was binned, Casuals kicked a pen from the offence. 11-17. Casuals now put incredible pressure on the BB line who responded by giving a host of penalties away plus the sin binning of david Abraham. Perhaps lucky not to give away a penatly try BB conceded in the 92 min + con 18-17. Ironic the injury to the ref caused a lot of the injury time.

Lethargic, leaderless BB desperately need a league win and next week entertain Wellingborough.

BB lost out in the Sonior Vase to Stoke in a thoroughly entertaining game at the Mill. BB missing virtually a whole backline were always going to be up against it as the unbeaten Div 3 West/North leaders travelled with confidence. BB started well taking the game to stoke, with their scrummage well on top. An early penalty was missed allowing Stoke to open the scoring with a pen 15 min 0-3. 26 min a poor kick from Stoke, fielded by Riche Adams put David Abraham over 5-3. 30 min Stoke Penalty 5-6. A sin binning of Jack Brawn cost BB dear as Stoke kicked a pen and scored a try 5-14 HT.

Stoke Missed two pens at the start of the second half, with both No &'s in the sin bin for different offences. 68 mins Brawn made amends for his earlier mistake with a superb individual try and Abraham con 12-14. Further chances went begging at each end, BB inspired by the outstanding as always Warren Mackie could not score again. 12-14.

Next week BB return to league action with a Home game against Leicester Forest.

Injuries probably cost BB 2 valuable league points at Corby. Already traveling without a recognised scrum half, BB lost flyer Alex Szeremeta with a groin strain in the warm up. Quickly followed by centre's Dave Willix (cut) Ben Mann (concussion) and Dave Curtis (Leg). BB defending the famous S&L slope actually led at half time through an Adam Willix try, conversion and penalty to a try and penalty 8-10. This should have been more but again poor decision making, impatience, cost BB dear. With 4 front row on the field nd flankers in the centre, S&L scored three second half tries 1 conversion 25-10. One bright note was the performance of Ex-colts Craig Howting and Tom Faulkner. This relentles, top heavy start to the season continues next week when Stoke on Trent visit the Mill in the Senior Vase.

BB came out on top in a closely fought local derby with Scouts at the Mill. The game always fiercly competitive lacked the precision and the necessary finishing skills. Not aided by a referee who lacked man management know how and who decisions were at times baffling. Scout applied the early pressure missing a penalty kick but on 30 mins BB opened the scoring , after a long run from Alex Szeremeta, flanker Dan McIheny went over Adam Willix con 7-0. From virtually the next play David Abraham escaped his marker to run in from halfway con Willix 14-0. 40 mins Willix missed play. 14-0 HT.

At the restart Willix missed another pen. This seemed to inspire the Scouts who had a 10 minute purple patch scoring two tries and one converstion. 14-12. BB hit back using their dominant scrummaging to force a series of 5 meter scrums, but lacked a finish. 70 mins Willix missed pen. Back came the scouts, 78 minutes, to try a difficult penalty kick at goal, the ball hit the upright and was scrambled away 14-12. Next week BB go to Stewarts and Llyods, Corby.

29/09/07.

An Alex Szeremeta hat trick of tries failed to stop a big Buzzard win at the Mill. League title favourites Buzzard started strongly turning a BB scrum to open the scoring on 3 minutes 0-5. BB responded with a wonderful long distance try started by Mark Underwood carried by David Abraham and finished by Szeremeta, Abraham converted 7-5. Buzzard forced a scrum "5" for their No8 to plough over on 13 minutes 7-10. Buzzard missed a penalty but a poor touch kick from BB allowed another Buzzard try 7-15 at the turnaround.

Still in the game, BB, were shattered in an 8 minute spell from 50 minutes, BB spilt the ball Buzzard scored a converted try 7-22. Then BB turned over to concede again 7-29. 72 minutes Szeremeta pulled back a try 12-29. 75+77 mins 12-39 Buzzard looking fit and strong scored two unconverted tries. Although the final word belonged for Szeremeta 17-39. Allowing for a poor goal kicking display from Buzzard, BB were always in the game, but need to cut out the many mistakes, as in this league they get punished.

Next week BB welcome Old Scouts to the Mill for a league game.

BB came second in the sunshine at Lutterworth. Opening brightly BB took the lead with an Adam Willix penalty 0-3. Then came two serious errors, firstly an easy clearance kick was charged down allowing Lutterworth to score a converted try 7-3. BB fought back to be awarded a penalty in front of the post which was spurned and Lutterworth removed the danger. Willix missed a harder penalty. Always in the game BB conceded a soft try when Lutterworth kicked long down the slope retrived the ball and scored 14-3. The referee made a bad mistake as he allowed a quick penalty from a scrum with the front row still engaged Lutterworth scoring 21-3. On the stroke of half time lutterworth opened BB down their left to score again and convert. 28-3 at the turn around. Now playing for pride BB scored again when Alex Szeremeta showed his pace to score in the corner 28-8. Lutterworth finished strong and their forwards rumbled BB over for the final score 33-8. BB now no what a difficult season lies in store. With the skill levels not that much higher but a big increase in physicallity. Next week BB welcome Leighton Buzzard to the Mill for a league game.

BBOB1ST SQUAD VS LEICESTER BELGRAVE1ST SQUAD 25th AUG 2007 BBOB 51 Belgrave 7