Big friendly win for Borough

Rugby

Borough chalked up a big victory in their first competitive game of the season.

They travelled to Warwickshire side Southam for a friendly on Saturday and beat the Midlands Division Two West side 39-8.

With it being the f i rst game, the opening exchanges were understandably a bit frantic, but Boroughsettleddown and with the pack particularlydominant it wasnosurprise when Ben Edwardscollected apassandtoucheddownafter 15 minutes. Theconversionby Lewis Hall was successful.

Borough then withstood a period of pressure from Southam with some great defending before increasing their advantage to 14-0 as Dean Heyman powered his way over in the centre with Hall once again successful with the conversion.

Afterconcedingasillypen- alty, which Southam converted to make it 14-3, Borough’s fitness and dominance in the pack started to pay dividends with tries coming at regular intervals through Nico Steenkamp, Pretorious, Heyman, and Tom McClure.

In the closing stages Southam forced a consolation try, but not t o be outdone, Borough immediatly fought back whenDewiPearce scythed through thehomesidesdefence to score the final try and leave the result at 39-8.

CoachLeeAdamsonsaidhe waspleased with the progress madeintrainingbutadmitted there wasstill worktobedone before the first league match on September 10.

There were strong performances in all areas and goodindividualperformances frommanyincludingBenHigton, who was making his first appearanceinaBoroughshirt. Girl power has hit Peterborough Rugby Club.

Borough have been working very hard over the last six months trying to establish an Under 13 girls team and it’s certainly paid off.

They’ll be going into the new season with no less than 25 players in their squad, but head coach Simon Potter says they would still welcome more.

He said: “We had a few experimental matches at the tail end of last season and came second in three tourna- ments we entered. But that was mainly against girls who were older, bigger and more experienced.

“This will really beourfirst season and we intend to put Peterborough firmly on the girls’ rugby map.”

The first training session will be at the Fengate club on Sunday September 4 (12.30) and from then on training will be on Tuesday evenings with matches on Sunday afternoons.

“We’re in this for the long run,” addedcoachPaddyMur- ray. “This isn’t a one-off team for this wonderful group of girls. This is hopefully the start of a dynasty that will go onbuilding, withUnder15and Under18teamsintime. Butfor now we’re starting with the Under 13s.

“We’ve got some brilliant players and the new season’s going to beareally exciting big adventure.”

Any girls wishing to join in thefuncanlearnmorebycontacting ladiesadmin@prufc. com or from Potter at spotter@prfuc.com

Nico Steenkamp.