Powergen Midlands 2 East

‘Disappointing start to season for Blues!’

Newark 32      Kettering Blues 22

Kettering Blues league season got off to a most disappointing start as they went down at Newark, a side who they beat convincingly twice last season, and with both the other pre season promotion favourites Matlock and Derby also beaten on the first day it would seem that the division could be very competitive this coming season.  With Director of Rugby Doug Bridgeman away in France at the Rugby World Cup it was a chance for his lieutenants to show their paces, but they weren’t helped when Cory Diamond had to pull out, to be replaced by Ben Ling from the second team squad.

Kettering kicked off and that was the last time for six minutes that they touched the ball before having to kick off again as after a number of penalties, the home side scored a converted try with the Blues still settling down, but within minutes a Tim Jones penalty gave them their first points of the new league season. The side had now settled and iot was no surprise when they took the lead after sixteen minutes as skipper Ryan James took a quick tap penalty and with the Newark defence asleep Paul Gibson strolled over for the try.

The Blues though were giving away the ball too easily in contact situations and straight from the kick off the ball was stolen and Newark with some good interplay regained the lead with a good try.  Newark’s game was based around their big forwards pick and drive game and it was proving to be a good tactic as it kept the ball away from Kettering’s free running backs and although they looked good at times when they did get the ball they also looked short on cohesion due to the fact it was the first time that the selected formation had played together.  They did though have chances and should have really lead at half time but right on the whistle it was the host who increased their lead with a penalty.

Half Time:     Newark 15                Kettering Blues  8

Kettering started the second half meaning business and after no time at all they had drawn level, a wayward clearance kick by Newark was quickly ran back by Coles and Etheridge before a final pass put Paul Baird in for the try which Tim Jones converted.  It was all Kettering now and Newark were being hard pressed to keep the Blues at bay, and eventually they cracked as after some good interplay by the backs and forwards the home sides defence was sucked in and Paul Baird put James Taylor in for his debut try, and with Tim Jones converting it should have signalled a victory.

Newark though thought differently and with their new players quickly fitting in they were not going to give this one up without a fight and they were back in the game with a penalty before Kettering gave them the lead again with the softest of tries, as poor communication led to a misplaced pass going into open space with not a Kettering player in sight and this horror scenario was gratefully converted into a seven point by the home side.  There was still time left for the Blues to win the game and they tried their best but as had so often happened before during the game poor ball retention and discipline gave away the good situations created and it was the home side that finally put paid to Kettering’s hopes as from another catch and drive from a line out from another penalty conceded their big pack drove over for the converted try, and it was all over.

Kettering have to get their game together quickly as next week they entertain local rivals Old Northamptonians at Waverley Road who had a winning start to the season, the Blues have to get their ball retention right and they also need to make sure that penalty kicks to touch are found as this proved costly against a side willing to counter attack from these simple errors.

Final Score:  Newark 32          Kettering Blues 22

Other Scores:

Newark 2nd XV  14            Kettering 2nd XV 26

Scorers: Tom McGoldrick (2); Joe Stead and Steve Kelly on his club debut plus 3 conversions from George Chudley.

A great start for the new management/coaching team and new captain Chris Chapman – they will now look to put this performance into the league and cup games that lie ahead.  

Kettering 3rd XV  23            Wellingborough 3rd XV  16

Scorers:  Andrew Slack; Andrew Jackson; Alex Ayling and Phil Albutt who also kicked a penalty.

Kettering 5th XV  5              Market Harborough Vets  25    

Scorer:  James Husband scoring a try on his debut for the club.  

Kettering Colts 27              B.B.O.B. Colts  10 

Scorers:  Bruce Keir (2); Phil Burn; Liam Foye; plus 2 conversions and a penalty from Keir.

Last years finalists Kettering, kicked off their league program with a convincing win against Northampton BBOB, S. With several senior players unavailable, the benefit of   Kettering’s youth policy was demonstrated by the inclusion of 6 under 17’s in the squad.

With the younger colts effortlessly integrating into the team, Kettering took an early lead when Bruce Kier comfortably converted a penalty for an infringement under the post. The lead was increased further on 11 minutes when, after a penalty was awarded, Kier set off on a meandering run from a quick tap kick to touch down in the corner giving Kettering, with the conversion, a 10-point lead.

After 19 minutes, a mistake by the Kettering defence allowed a chasing BBOB’s player to scramble home to reduce the lead but this was soon restored when a darting run from scrum half Tom Chennell was fed through the backs for winger Liam Foye to touch down in the corner.

With the interval looming BBOB’s pushed for a quick reply but excellent defence by the blues resulted in the half time score of 15-5.

Straight from the re-start    Joe Newman’s strength and physical presence was too much for the BBOB’s defence and after his powerful 30-meter charge the ball was fed to captain Phil Byrne to touch down.

Kettering were after 65 minutes reduced to 14 men when Chennell was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on, allowing BBOB’s to exploit their number advantage to score their second try and possibly salvaging the game.

To cap a fine performance, Keir scored his second try late on in the game, that with the conversion gave him a personnel tally of 17 points 

Overall an excellent Team performance, with all of the youngsters looking comfortable, excellent debut by Matt Nield.

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