Rugby League: Nine try win for Boston

Jake Keeton and Brad Nixon crossed for two tries apiece as Boston Buccaneers picked up their first league win of the season with a 46-4 home victory against Nottingham Outlaws.

Jordan Cleaver, John Stanfield, Jack Wright, Paul Lucas and Scotty Stevenson each scored one in the nine-try victory, with John Hummel adding five conversions.

The travelling Outlaws started brightly and a clever grubber kick put them in for the opening try of the match after just four minutes.

The Outlaws enjoyed some decent early possession, but some crunching tackles by Rory O’Sullivan, Lewis Wilson and Cleaver kept them out.

Jordan Cleaver on the run for his opening try. Photo: Mark Cleaver

Boston began to grow into the game and the hosts took the lead on the half-hour mark. Cleaver ran a great line to score a try under the sticks, which Hummel converted.

The Buccaneers increased their lead to 12-4 going in at the break when Stevenson ran 50 metres and cleverly offloaded the ball to a rampant Keeton. Keeton swept past defenders before finally releasing the ball for Nixon to dive over for a try, which Hummel converted.

Hooker Brad Nixon in action for Boston. Photo: Mark Cleaver

Boston controlled most of the second half, although when the Outlaws did mount some pressure they were met with a wall of blue including ferocious tackling from Lucas, Keeton and Wright.

Boston moved further in front early in the second half after great play by Wright and Wilson put the hosts within touching distance of the try line. Captain Stanfield seized the ball and dived under defenders to score from close range before Hummel added the extras.

Liam Croker putting in a tackle to stop the opposition. Photo: Mark Cleaver

Boston forwards Rich Lloyd and Dan Philpott were dominant, smashing the ball up the middle. Prop Harry Atkinson was running over would-be-defenders for fun according to coach Jim Dearing as Boston continued to dominate.

Man-of-the-match Keeton stretched his legs on another run down the wing to go over for a great individual try to increase Boston’s lead to 18 points. The youngster was soon on the scoresheet again after hooker Nixon put him over for his second try of the match.

Jake Keeton crossing for a try for Boston. Photo: Mark Cleaver

Boston’s backs were displaying some superb ball handling despite the poor weather conditions. Jimmy Underwood, Nixon and Stanfield provided excellent distribution for centre Wright to storm his way beyond the defence to dive over for a try.

The expansive rugby from Boston showed no signs of stopping. Wilson carved his way up to the half-way line before Cleaver saw a gap and scooted for 20 metres to set-up Nixon to finish off the move under the posts.

Harry Atkinson in action for Boston. Photo: Mark Cleaver

Hummel successfully slotted over the conversion.

Only a last-ditch desperate tackle from the Outlaws stopped winger Chris Cook scoring five minutes from time, but Nixon kept the ball alive to set up Lucas for a try.

Lewis Wilson in action for Boston against Nottingham Outlaws. Photo: Mark Cleaver

Full-back Scotty Stevenson kept up his record of scoring in every game so far this season when he went over for a try after a superb catch and run. Hummel added the extras.

Full-back Scotty Stevenson was among the try scorers for Boston. Photo: Mark Cleaver

After the match Boston’s head coach Jim Dearing said: “We scored some really good tries which was good to see. The best part of our performance though was our defence.

“To keep any team down to one score is a really special effort and the players should be proud.”