Boston slipped into further trouble at the foot of the Midlands Three East (North) table with this defeat at the hands of county rivals from Grantham.

Despite the setback of going behind to a penalty in the early minutes and then conceding a try, there was no sign of what was to come as the home side dominated possession in the first half.

But once again Boston failed to convert pressure and possession into points and paid the penalty as the visitors clinically took their chances and ran out comfortable winners.

Sickness and other commitments meant that yet again Boston were unable to start with the team that had been selected and when the normally reliable Tom Brooks hit the post with a penalty the home supporters began to think it was not going to be their day.

During the middle period of the first half Boston enjoyed their best spell and seemed certain to score when Liam Smith charged down the wing only to be held up just short of the whitewash.

Then against the run of play Kesteven scored a try when the Boston defence made the mistake of letting a high ball bounce – it ran kindly for the visitors who scored the simplest of tries.

At half-time Boston were unfortunate to be behind and with a gusting wind at their backs they were still in the game.

But the youthful Blue and Whites seemed to lose concentration and energy before a catalogue of injuries gave opportunities for replacements Virgo and Lane to impress and Matt Sharman made a welcome comeback after a shoulder problem.

Kesteven ran in three more unconverted tries before Michael Hoyes scored a consolation try at the death which was converted by Brooks.

But it was all too little too late and Boston must look for a better performance next week when they travel to Derbyshire to play Melbourne.

Boston: I. Sampson, C. Dowse, A. Kemp, J. Pedley, M. Hoyes, K. Doig , J. Stokes, M. Miles, J. Pain, T. Brooks, J. Brooks, M. Mitchell, M. Dean, L. Smith, J. Cleaver. Replacements: M. Sharman, N. Lane, G. Virgo.