Boston 5 Oakham 15

Boston slumped to their third league defeat of the season at the hands of highly-fancied Oakham in Midlands Three East (North).

Once again Boston's undoing was their failure to convert pressure into points whilst the visitors took full advantage of the chances they created.

Playing with the help of a gale-force wind in the first half, Boston failed to kick intelligently when easy positional advantage was on offer.

The home side could point to more changes forced to their line-up by injuries and work commitments which continued almost to kick-off with captain Marc Miles being forced to drop out through a hand injury sustained on Saturday morning.

But as well as needing a little luck, the Blue and Whites also need to play a little smarter at crucial stages of the game.

The game began at high tempo with Ady Hart looking much happier at full-back and producing some excellent tackles.

So it was ironic that a succession of missed tackles allowed the visitors to go ahead with a try after 20 minutes. The conversion was missed.

Boston came back strongly and their pressure forced a penalty from a very kickable position but in the howling gale the home side could be forgiven for not taking advantage.

After the break Boston continued to press, with Rob Linnell securing excellent ball in the line-out; but the Blue and Whites suffered a hammer blow when the visitors broke away to score a second try.

Things went from bad to worse when Hart suffered a hand injury and had to be replaced by Jason Cleaver and Tom Kemp's recurring foot injury meant he had to be replaced by his namesake Alex Kemp. In the reshuffle that followed Perry Cumber took on the duties of scrum half.

More bad news was to follow as Jake Brooks suffered an injury and was replaced by Iain Sampson.

With the home side still readjusting to all the changes Oakham scored a further try.

To their credit, Boston continued to attack and a passing movement between Sharman and Pain was finished by Smith.

This week the First XV travel to Southwell and the Seconds to North Hykeham.

Boston: Buckberry, Dowse, Deamer,Pedley, Linnell, Smith, Betteridge, Doig,Fitzpatrick, Kemp T., Hart,Pain , Brooks, Cumber, Sharman. Replacements: Cleaver, A.Kemp, Sampson.