Notts Casuals 19 Boston 8

Battling Boston fell to their second league defeat at the hands of another of the sides fancied for honours this season.

The fixtures programme has not been kind to the Blue & Whites this year as the opening three games are against sides who finished just outside the promotion places last time round and who are expected to lead the way in the Midlands Two East (North).

Nevertheless Boston put in a sound performance and were only one score away from snatching victory until the dying minutes.

Perhaps in the end the difference between the two sides was the kicking – when Casuals were under pressure they regularly found touch, but when Boston were under pressure they regularly missed touch and found the home side's speedy full back who took full advantage by setting up attacks.

Work commitments again forced an unfamiliar look to the Boston side but the visitors got off to a bright start and were securing good ball both from the scrum and the line-out.

The advantage paid dividends after 15 minutes when a pass from Ady Hart was snapped up by Boston's man-of-the-match Dave Betteridge who scampered over to score. The conversion was missed.

The score spurred Casuals into action as they began to enjoy the lion's share of possession and after missing a couple of very presentable penalties, the home side got on the scoreboard with a flowing passing move from one flank to the other which resulted in a try in the corner.

Boston were dealt another hammer blow when Alex Kemp received a yellow card for foul play and the visitors were pleased to hear the half-time whistle with the scores still locked at 5-5.

But Casuals made their numerical advantage tell after the break with a try straight from the kick-off which was converted.

Boston introduced James Fitzpatrick, Liam Smith and Jason Cleaver in an effort to get back into the game and when Smith kicked a penalty to make the score 12-8 Casuals knew they had a game on their hands.

The visitors gave all they had but by committing players to attack they left themselves open in defence and when Casuals converted a try in the dying minutes the game was up.

Once again this was a good performance from the Blue and Whites who need to find a cutting edge to turn their pressure into points.

Next week Oakham visit the Princess Royal Sports Arena and the Development Squad entertain Market Rasen.

Boston: Doig, Dowse, Sampson, Lane, Linnell, Betteridge, Miles, Kemp A., Kemp T., Hart, Deane, Mitchell, Brooks, Cumber, Sharman. Replacements: Fitzpatrick, Cleaver, Smith