The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Coach delighted with the battling spirit of his players
Rugby Union - Borough win in awful conditions at bottom club Wellingborough
Peterborough RUFC head coach Phil Powell praised his players for a battling display in horrible conditions at Wellingborough last weekend.
The hosts are bottom of Midlands Division One East, but their heavyweight pack loved the mud, wind and heavy rain that greeted them on Saturday.
They opened the scoring with a third-minute try, but Borough battled back to win 10-5 thanks to a try from Josh Myles and a penalty and conversion from Matty Newman.
“We were more comfortable than the final scoreline suggested,” Powell insisted.
“I was concerned when we found conditions that suited their strengths more than ours, but we battled really well and deserved to win.
“Earlier in the season we might have lost this game, but we are growing stronger by the week now. We finished the game camped in their 22 and we crossed their line a couple of times without managing to get the ball down.
“It was a very pleasing performance in the circumstances.”
Powell played fly half and the ball rarely travelled beyond him, although flying winger Mooki Tshepo Otto almost scored a brilliant try after breaking from his own 22.
Borough have now won two matches in a row to move up to ninth, but three in a row might be difficult as next up are leaders Derby at Fengate on November 9.
Derby went top of the table last weekend after beating Oundle 20-13. They have now won all eight of their League games.
“They will lose a game sooner or later,” Powell added. “And there is no reason why it shouldn’t be us who become the first tream to beat them.
“We’ve given the lads the week off now so they can be ready physically and mentally for a huge test.”
Oundle took the lead at Derby through a Will Carrington penalty, but Derby soon seized control.
A late Rob Shingles try proved to be consolation for
Oundle who remain third.
Peterborough Lions • were frustrated their bottomof-the-table Midlands Premier Division clash at South Leicester was postponed three hours before kick-off. They are due to play a previously postponed match at Newport this Saturday.
Division One East
Derby
Oundle (Tries: Shingles. Con: Carrington. Pens: Carrington 2)
Wellingborough Peterborough (Try: Myles. Con: Newman. Pen: Newman) 20 13 5 10