The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Lions and Borough seeking some home improvements
City sides Borough and the Lions will both be aiming to give their fans a lift in their final home games of the year on Saturday.
The Lions entertain Bournville at Solstice Park, Bretton, in the Midlands Premiership whileBoroughplayBugbrooke in Midlands Division One at Fengate (both 2.15pm kickoffs).
And both Peterborough teams will be desperate to avoid defeat for the third game running following tough tussles against the top teams in their respective divisions.
The Lions lost 19-17 at home to Sandbach two weeks ago and 22-17 at runaway leaders Birmingham last Saturday while Borough have been beaten 30-19 at Bedford Athletic and 29-22 at home to Syston in their last two outings.
Lions chief Andy Moore was ‘gutted’ by the Sandbach defeat but was full of praise for his side after the Birmingham loss.
“I think most people that have watched Birmingham this season would agree they are a National League Two side. I certainly think so,” said Moore.
“So to run them that close and gain a losing bonus point was a commendable effort by our boys. They deserve a pat on the back.
“We gave as good as we got against the best side in the league. They scored at crucial moments - just before halftime and again just after halftime - and that really was the only difference between the two sides.”
Kaz Henderson crossed for both Lions’ tries while Tom Gullands made a welcome return to the fold after spending a year in New Zealand.
The Lions, who are third in the table, should get back to winnings ways against Bournville but have learned to take nothing for granted at their level.
Bournville were promoted from Midlands Division One (West) last season along with Newport and the sides last met in the 2014-2015 season. The Lions won both games handsomely - 41-10 away and 43-7 at home.
Bournville may be in the bottom half of the table but they have recorded notable wins this season against Doncaster (34-29 at home), Scunthorpe (36-12 at home) and Sandbach (43-17 away).
Sam Crooks is likely to return to the Lions side after missing the Birmingham game because of family commitments but hooker Wes Cope (shoulder) and second row Tom Lewis (back) are injury doubts.
Borough, who are fourth in their division, also play hosts to a team in the bottom half of the table and should be too strong for Bugbrooke, who were smashed 82-3 at home by Paviors last weekend.
Borough weren’t too downhearted after the Bedford Athletic loss.
“We actually played quite well and did go 5-0 up,” said vice-chairman Archie Bennett.
“Considering they were in the National League last season when we were in Midlands Division Two, it wasn’t a bad effort to only lose by four tries to three.
“It shows how well we’re coming along. We upped our game and had our moments and it’s fair to say all the boys did well.
“Of course we were disappointed to lose but we’re not beating ourselves up about it. We’re not overly upset. It was a good performance and we have to make sure we play as well as that against Bugbrooke.”
Centre Michael Bean (2) and number eight Sarel Pretorius scored tries for Borough, whose best players were centre Reggie Reid, full-back Mooki Tshepo-Olebile and second row John Thompson.
In the same division Oundle enjoyed themselves against Huntingdon at the Racecourse.
They galloped to a 55-0 win scoring nine tries through Will Carrington (2), Craig Tandy, Vernon Horne, Robb Shin- gles, Jack Sharpley, James Keane, Gareth Jacob and Ben Milborne. Carrington slotted five conversions.
Oundle face a tough home game on Saturday when thirdplaced Kettering are the visitors to Occupation Road.
Borough remain fourth in the table while Oundle have moved up to sixth.
Midlands Division Two East (South) Market Harborough................................ 51 Stamford ................................................... 7
Midlands Division Four East (South) Bedford Swifts ........................................ 67 Stamford College Old Boys ........................ 5
Aylestone St James ................................. 22 Thorney.....................................................0
Bourne ....................................................40 St Neots................................................... 14
Sunday December 3 WOMEN’S RFU NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Midlands North Two
Sleaford Ladies..........................................0 Peterborough Ladies (tries: Bark, Elliott, Warlow 2, Robinson, Fulcher, Winder. con: Fulcher)................................................... 37