For the first time this season, the sky was grey and murky, as Donington entertained Bourne for the semi-final of the NLD vase, was this a bad omen?
From the kick off the visitors from two divisions above issued an "ultimatum", and were quickly camped on Doningtons try line. Donington held strong and defended superbly, showing their true "identity".
The Bigger, well drilled Bourne pack were visibly stunned as scrum after scrum, Donington pushed them off their own ball gaining Forward "supremacy".
With confidence on a high,(the "legacy" of a series of tremendous back to back victories), Donington pegged the visitors bag into their own 22, with a series of well executed driving mauls. Bourne were powerless to stop them and Donington powered over in the corner for scrum half Max Shaw to crash over for an unconverted try 5-0.
Bourne came back strong, until Doningtons only discretion, put Bourne in range for a penalty. 5-3
With total self-belief, Donington immediately upped the pace, good handling, great support and several questionable kicks put Donington back deep into Bourne territory. A ruck was formed several yards out. Seeing the opportunity, Adrian Hackett dropped off the ruck to receive the ball on the charge. He was unstoppable as he powered through three forwards, for a magnificent try, converted by Max Shaw. 12-3
Half time 12-3
The second half continued in much the same way as the first, with Donington applying all the pressure.
The Bourne half backs looked dangerous with ball in hand, but superb scrummaging and great line out work from Donington, starved them of ball, and when they did get any ball, the Donington backs killed off any moves with solid tackling.
Wave after wave of Donington attacks were quelled by Bourne (Piers Goode stopped inches from the line) until Donington sealed the victory with a pushover try from five yards out with Max Shaw touching down and Simon Moon converting, for a final score of Castle Donington 19, Bourne 3 and a place in the Final.
Man of the Match: Darren Summers
Special Recognition for Geoff Tubbs - A fully trained paramedic who attends all CDRUFC Games and regularly helps the opposition with injuries when needed.
With a place in the final of one cup, semi-finals of another and top of the league, the club is going through a fantastic rebuilding period. Older players stepping up to the mark, new blood joining and young players coming into the game. The moral is at an all-time high, and I for one am loving it.