Powergen Midlands 2 East

‘Blues on the Brink of the Championship!’

Kettering 36 Newark 5

Kettering Blues need just one point from their last two league fixtures to guarantee them the championship and automatic promotion back to Midlands 1 for next season after this ruthless victory over fourth placed Newark and the news that title rivals Hinckley had come unstuck in their local derby at Market Bosworth.  Although the weather conditions were not conducive to open running rugby Kettering defied the wind and rain to produce a performance built on solid defence and the ability to make their opposition pay dearly for any mistake that they made.

Newark kicked off playing with the wind and rain at their backs but it was the Blues who straight away started to look dangerous with the ball in hand and after eight minutes they took the lead as Darren Etheridge made a telling break before putting Nathan Satala away for a try in the corner.  The Blues continued to dominate and were again rewarded after fifteen minutes as forwards and backs interpassing opened up the Newark defence and Rory Keir once again doing the support work was in support to finish things off with the try, to which Tim Jones added the conversion with a great kick into the wind from wide out.  The visitors hit back within minutes as from a catch and drive following a penalty they eventually mauled the ball over the line for an unconverted try.

With half time approaching the Kettering pressure was rewarded with another try as skipper Ryan James caught a loose Newark kick just inside his own half, great support play from Nathan Satala eventually saw him take the pass and as on many occasions this season the defence was left for dead as his great footwork and running skills saw him diving into the corner for another great try.

Half Time:     Kettering 17            Newark 5

Kettering now with the elements behind them and playing towards their supporters were in no mood to let this one slip and they also had the motivation of knowing this was revenge for their first day of the season defeat at Newark.  Intense pressure was put on the Newark defence by both forwards and backs and a number of scoring chances were let slip before Paul Gibson opened up the Newark defence with one of his mighty runs before putting Satala in for his third try of the match, Tim Jones converting from the touchline judging the wind beautifully.

The Blues were now playing ‘top draw’ rugby looking to move the ball mat every occasion or put it up in the air giving the Newark defenders all sorts of problems, and although Newark were blaming everyone but themselves the floodgates had to open.  First after a great run from Tom Bridgeman, Darren Etheridge was in support to finish things off with the try and a few minutes Kettering made the game safe as the referee played advantage in the Blues twenty two the ball was quickly worked wide to Satala who kicked through, Darren Etheridge kicked on again twice rather than pick up the greasy ball and his control was good enough to finally dive on the ball for another great try which Tim Jones converted.

Kettering could have scored more points in the last quarter, but used the bench giving Terry Pell a run at prop, although things didn’t quite always go the Blues way as Martin Roberts and Darren Etheridge picked up injuries which threatens their place for the East Midlands Cup Final next Sunday against Bedford Athletic, so the treatment room will be a busy place this week.

The Blues though know that when they travel to Paviors (Nottingham) in a fortnight another performance like against Newark should be enough to clinch the championship and then the last game of the season at home to Hinckley can be a day of celebration for a season in which it has been a job well done!

Final Score:  Kettering 36          Newark 5

Other Scores:

Kettering 2nd XV 32          Newark 2nd XV 16

Scorers: Nick Durnie (2); Luca Rodger; Steve Kelly; Chris Chapman; Danny Noble plus 1 conversion from Tom Noble.

Wellingborough 3rd XV 25           Kettering 3rd XV 5

East Midlands League

Scorer:  Terry Grannon.

Kettering 5th XV 20          Stockwood Park 3rd XV  12

Scorers: Tom Elliott; Steve Bannister; Pip Ling & John Fletcher.

Old Scouts Colts  12          Kettering Colts  24

Scorers: James Taylor (2); Lewis Hackett; Rob Vialls plus 2 conversions from Karl Mabbutt.

 

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