KETTERING v HEREFORD

Kettering host Hereford this weekend, in what is now a real must win game. With difficult away games to come, the local side know that a win on home soil is needed, if they are to have any realistic chance of avoiding relegation. This will undoubtedly be no easy task, as the West Country side are a really powerful unit and pushed high flying Luton all the way last weekend, before going down 22-14, and the Blues will have to be at their very best to take the points.

The selectors stick with the same front 5 as last week, and bring Rory Keir in at wing forward, to replace Chris Chapman, after the former’s impressive performance last week, coming off the bench. Outside, Colt Matt Nield is preferred to Gareth Bartley, after continuing to impress for the East Midlands U20’s during mid-week.

The first game between the 2 sides was won by Hereford, in a game which turned on two separate incidents, when on both occasions, Kettering were left with 13 players on the field after collisions, and Hereford took full advantage to score tries. The Blues will be hoping for better fortune this weekend.

The 2nds travel to Luton in a league game, and with a very strong line-up will be looking to continue their fine run which has seen them climb the table into 4th place.

The 3rd team has a friendly at home to Sharnbrook, after their fine win in the S&L Floodlit Cup against Peterborough, on Wednesday night. The 4th team are in the pool, whilst the 5ths host Old Scouts.

1st XV (Meet 1330 – 1500ko): Griffiths, Watts B, Pell, Roberts, Wilson, Keir R, Freeman, James, Block, Webb, Sumner, Rainbow, Newman, Bartley G, Jones, Cheatham, Noble D, Bridgeman.

2nd XV (Meet 1145 – 1415ko)From: Santos, Davis, Hockridge, Watts J, Langstone, Monaghan, Chapman, Bartley, Street, Forscutt, Taylor, Noble T, Kellman, Baird, Bartley, Walther, Hackett, Watts D,