KETTERING v AMPTHILL
Kettering make the daunting trip to Champions elect, Ampthill, this weekend, in a match which has even more significance as it doubles up as an East Midlands Cup qtr final, due to the fixture congestion caused by the recent bad weather.
The hosts are currently running away with the league title, as they have built an impressively strong and large squad of players, who are seemingly unstoppable at the moment.
The Blues, for their part, are well aware of the need to pick up league points wherever possible, and have played their part in recent defeats away at Peterborough and home against Luton, but have failed to convert chances created, which has been the difference between winning and losing of late.
Up front, injuries and unavailabilities take their toll, with Terry Pell, Michael Griffiths, Martin Roberts and Steve Freeman joining the list and all missing from last week, although Chris Harris returns to the 2nd row. Outside, John Penberthy starts his first game back at scrum-half, with Josh Block moving back to open-side, whilst Lewis Hackett moves to the wing to accommodate the return of Corey Rainbow, with Dan Ireland and Matt Nield stepping down to the bench.
The 2nds also travel to Ampthill with the problems up front in the 1st team once again having a knock-on effect, with a number of players benefitting and being given an opportunity to play at the higher level. Outside, Ned Kelly, Gareth Bartley and Luca Rodger all return, whilst Jack Walther and James Taylor are both out injured.
The 3rd team host Ampthill, as do the 4ths, whilst the Colts travel to ON’s in another double header, this time in the National Plate competition and East Midlands Colts league, despite the fact that one of the games should be played at Kettering.
1st XV (Meet 1130): Cox, Watts B, McKenzie, Noble Harris, Chapman, Block, James, Penberthy, Keir, Hackett, Gibbo, Newman, Sumner, Rainbow, Watts J, Ireland, Neild
2nd XV (Meet 1130)From: Ross, Rogers, Ling, Wilson, Langstone, Lyness, Forscutt, Sreet, Noble T, Kelly, Bartley, Keir R, Watts D, Kellman, Jones, Rodger, Burns.
