Grimsby 0 Market Bosworth 27
Grimsbys Powergen Intermediate Cup run was stopped dead in it's tracks by Midlands 2 East side Market Bosworth. Despite fielding a strong squad, the power of the Leicestershire sides back line proved to be too much for the home team.
Grimsby recieved the ball from the kick off and a good clearance kick from Pharaoh saw the ball sail way down the pitch and into touch for a nice safe line out - supposedly. However, a nice move by Bosworth saw the ball quickly spun out wide, and the powerful centre broke through the covering defence. Just as Saunders tackled the man in front of him, a well timed pass saw the ball shipped to the winger, who screamed away and scored under the posts. The conversion was easily added. Things looked bleak for Grimsby, 1 minute into the game and already 7 points down. From the restart Grimsby managed to put Bosworth under some pressure, and eventually forced a scrum. Following on in a similar vein to last weeks scrummaging, the front five of Wilkinson, Edwards, Thornton, Barker and Kempthorne were able to drive their opposite numbers back, leaving good steady ball for the backs to use. As Grimsby spun it wide, Thomas took it on strongly but was stopped in his tracks by a good defensive effort by his opposite man. This was to be a re-occuring theme, with the Grimsby backs unable to break through the line of defence, something not normally seen this season but a fine testament to the speed and skill of the Bosworth three quarters. Up front the encounters were fierce, with no quarter neither asked nor given. Ruck after ruck left bodies in their trails, with Bosworth coming of the worst in many cases. Unfortunately they were able to carry on with the game, and as the match wore on their back row was becoming more and more effective in slowing the ball down and preventing Grimsby from setting a solid platform to launch an attack from. Bosworth were also starting to exert more and more pressure on Grimsby, using a solid maul to good effect, before passing the ball out wide to their dangerous backs. It was from one such encounter that the inside centre again was able to crash through and score. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful. Grimsby were still not disheartened, and continued to try and press but everytime they ventured into the Bosworth 22 a member of the opposition would either prevent the ball being released or handle in the ruck, resulting in a penalty to the home side, but never from a really kickable position. The visitors knew how to defend, and it wasn't long before they had cleared the ball down the pitch, and after several good phases of play the winger was able to score in the left hand corner. The conversion attempt drifted wide. This kick marked the end of the first half and Grimsby were already 17 points down despite having played well.
The 2nd half started much as the first, with the Bosworth centre pairing working well together to bamboozle the Grimsby defence, before scything through to score under the posts early on in the half. The conversion was added and things were looking ominous for Grimsby. It was at this point that the Grimsby forwards began to take charge of the game, dominating in the scrum, winning good ball in the lineout and generally playing hard physical rugby. This added pressure saw Grimsby claim the majority of possession, but the Bosworth defence was still very strong and the homeside failed to cross the line. During the half, Grimsby made a number of changes, with Pomfret coming on for Thornton, Burke for Kempthorne and finally Daly for Saunders. The game carried on in a similar vein, however the Grimsby line was now holding strong, and the gritty attitude and physical presence of the Grimsby pack was starting to have an effect. Bosworth continued to press, and after being awarded a penalty in the Grimsby 22, opted to kick at goal rather than run into the massed throng looking for the tackle. The kick was successful, but Grimsby felt a slight moral victory. For the remainder of the half neither side was able to breach the others defence, and the ref blew for final time with Bosworth the worthy winners.
It would be fair to say the better team won on the day, with Bosworth showing Grimsby the big step up to Midlands 2. It would also be fair to say that Grimsby won the forward battle but the very impressive powerful Bosworth backs made a significant difference on the day.
This week Grimsby host the not unsubstantial challenge of Glossop. Kick Off is 2.15 and all are welcome
Team from:-
Wilkinson, Edwards, Thornton, Barker, Kempthorne, Newman, Norman, Slosmanis, Knight, Pharaoh, Draper, Thomas, Cairns, West, Saunders, TBA, Davis, Lowery
Meet 1.15