Powergen Midlands 2 East

Kettering 41 Ampthill 13

‘Blues storm to victory in second half!

Kettering move up to second place in the league (see table) with this emphatic win against Ampthill at Waverley Road, which must have delighted the clubs many sponsors who were in attendance for the pre-match lunch.  Fijian centre Nathan Satala took his try count to seven in two matches as the Blues turned just a one point gap immediately after the break into one of nearly thirty points by the final whistle, as they destroyed a game Ampthill side in the second half with a performance full of power, skill and genuine class.

The Blues squad showed an enforced change from the side selected, with young Stephen Duncan being called up to the wing in place of speedster Tom Coles who could not make it back from a business trip in Switzerland in time for the kick off.  Ampthill kicked off in good rugby conditions and in front of a decent crowd, and were quickly three points up as Kettering put themselves under pressure with a poor kick off reception and it eventually led to a penalty which the visitors kicked to take the lead.  Kettering were under some pressure as Ampthill looked to increase their lead, but eventually the home side started to gain some control and work their way into their opponents half, and after a couple of good looking attacks the ball was moved wide, Paul Gibson straightened the line and his pass put Nathan Satala in for the try, Tim Jones converting from wide out.

Ampthill were giving as good as took and with five minutes remaining of the half took the lead, creating some good ball the ball quickly wide and the Blues defence for once missed a tackle allowing an unconverted try.  Straight from the kick off though, Kettering quickly turned over Ampthill ball and the backs quickly found Nathan Satala in space and with a couple of audacious side steps and turn of pace was in under the posts for his second try which Time Jones converted to give the Blues a slight half time lead.

Half Time:     Kettering Blues 14            Ampthill 8

Ampthill started the second half well and within a couple of minutes had pulled back as a score as from a five metre scrum they scored a typical back row try to leave the game with just one point in it.  Knowing that Ampthill have had some very close scoring games this season the Blues now knew they were in a game and would have to up the tempo of the game, and this they did with devastating effect, with the forwards setting  the tone the side set to work, and after a great drive by the forwards with Kiwis Jono Barton and Joey Hamilton heavily involved the ball was quickly moved wide and Nathaniel Foster who had come on at half time went over for the try in the corner which again Tim Jones converted.

The Blues were now in charge even taking Ampthill scrum ball and this pressure was rewarded as scrum half Tom McGoldrick spotted a gap and he was too quick for Ampthills defence, Tim Jones again adding the extras and Jones increased the lead a few minutes later as the Kettering all round pressure forced the visitors to concede a penalty right in front of the posts.   The game was all over straight from the Ampthill kick off, the ball going straight into touch, and from the resulting scrum Kettering worked their backs magic once again and Nathan Satala was in for his third try.  It was all Kettering now and they had still had one more trick up their sleeve as right on the final whistle young McGoldrick once again spotted a gap and once again was too quick for the tiring Ampthill defence as he scored his second try of the game.

Next Saturday the Blues have a rest from the bread and butter of league rugby as they having a cracking looking second round tie in the EDF Intermediate Cup when they entertain old East Midlands rivals and Midlands 1 side Dunstablians to Waverley Road.  Although Kettering’s main priority this season is getting back into Midlands 1 a good run in the Intermediate Cup is also high on the squad ‘to do’ list, so the game will show how near the Blues are to being good enough for Midlands 1 as well as a victory keeping their season a busy one.

Final Score:  Kettering 41  Ampthill 13

Other Scores:

Ampthill 2nd XV 5          Kettering 2nd XV 14

East Midlands League

Another good win for the rejuvenated seconds and a try for Martin Roberts, his first for many a season.

Scorers: Martin Roberts plus 3 penalties from George Chudley.

Kettering 3rd XV 15          Rushden & Higham 2nd XV  7

East Midlands League

Scorers:  Jack Hawkes (2); Andy Butler.

Kettering 4th XV 17          Bedford Queens 3rd XV 12

Scorers: Nick Dernie; Matt Gray and Sam Bosworth who also kicked 1 conversion.       

Rushden & Higham 3rd XV 43          Kettering 5th XV 15

Scorers: Tom Elliott; Steve Fordham; George Wilson.

 

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