EDF Energy Intermediate Cup
Kettering 10 Dunstablians 24
(see match day pix)
‘Injuries destroy any hopes of a giant killing!’
Kettering Blues interest in this seasons Intermediate Cup were all but ended prior to the kick off of their home tie with Dunstablians as inspirational fly half Tom Bridgeman dropped out through an injury sustained while playing for his University, Stephen Duncan also making himself unavailable and Nathaniel Foster unfortunately pulling a hamstring during the pre match warm up. It meant that Nathan Satala moved to the unaccustomed position for him of fly half, and two young Colts Cory Rainbow and James Taylor were drafted in as centre and wing respectively, and although the side played with heart and commitment, especially the forwards brilliantly led by skipper Ryan James who gave their opponents a torrid time all game up front, the backs didn’t really function for once this season and struggled most of the game to control the Dunstablians lively three-quarter line.
Dunstablians kicked off and immediately the Blues found themselves under great pressure which they did well to defend, and this defence was rewarded as on their first real incursion into their visitors twenty two after fifteen minutes Tim Jones kicked a penalty. Five minutes later though Dunstablians took the lead as some good work aided by some poor first up tackling allowed them in for an unconverted try, the Blues responded to this setback with some of their best rugby but then were rocked back on their heels just before half time as their visitors were awarded a controversial try in the corner which the referee decided to award even though he certainly could have not seen the ball grounded.
Half Time: Kettering 3 Dunstablians 10
The first score of the second half was probably going to prove crucial in this lively encounter it was to be the eventual losers Kettering who scored after fifteen minutes as their forwards got up a real head of steam with some driving and handling which blitzed the Dunstablians defence before the ball was quickly released to the backs and Tom Coles went in for the try which Tim Jones converted to tie up the scores.
Really the Blues should have moved on from here and won the game but with Dunstablians picking up the challenge and some woeful kicking from hand from the normally reliable boots of a number of the side it was the visitors who started to dominate the last quarter and in the space of five minutes Kettering’s Intermediate Cup hopes for this season were finally put to rest as their defence was breached twice with converted tries. The first after some poor tackling had allowed a mazy run to the line and the second after a poor pass was picked up by the Dunstablian backs for an easy run in for the try.
The Blues tried to get back into the game but with their back line not functioning at all there was only ever going to be one winner and Dunstablians go into the third round draw on Tuesday looking to keep going their excellent record in this competition, while the Blues are left to concentrate on their main priority this season, promotion back to Midlands 1. Next week the side travels to old rivals Hinckley and they will be hoping that Tom Bridgeman is fit and that no more mishaps befall the side, although the injury list at Waverley Road is beginning once again to be a source of worry, with no fewer than ten of the clubs first team squad now out injured.
The Raj Restaurant ‘Man of the Match’ – Ryan James
Final Score: Kettering 10 Dunstablians 24
Other Scores:
Oakham Colts 0 Kettering Colts 41
With some of their players on first team duty, the colts management took the opportunity to give some of the younger players in the club get some experience and they certainly did not look out of place as Joe Newmans three tries set up this good win.
Scorers: Joe Newman (3); Liam Foy; James York; Joe Monoghan and Bruce Keir who also kicked 3 conversions.
Old Scouts 2nd XV 29 Kettering 3rd XV 0
No joy for the thirds at Scouts 2nd XV.
Kettering 4th XV 8 Wellingborough O.G.’s 2nd XV 5
Gary Smiths side just had the edge in this interesting encounter.
Scorers: Matt Gray and Andrew Jackson with 1 penalty.
Kettering Vets XV 15 Old Scouts 5th XV 24
Scorers: Simon Handy; Sam Bosworth who also kicked 1 conversion and 1 penalty.
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