Blues finish strong

Sometimes in life things just seem to go for you and sometimes they don't, and it is almost as though you were destined to either succeed or fail, no matter how hard you have tried. This game, fortunately for the Blues, was one where things were destined to go their way.

With 10 minutes remaining and with Blues under the cosh, as Luton began to dominate the set pieces, it looked as though the Bedfordshire side had done enough building a 16-10 lead. Somehow, and despite never being able to reach the levels to which the side aspires, the Blues found some hidden reserves of energy and commitment to turn the game around in a frantic finale.

It had all started so well for Kettering, when Tom Bridgeman found a huge gap in the Luton midfield and burst through under the posts for the opening score on 2 minutes. Joe Daniel added the extra's to give the Blues a 7 point lead. For the next 20 minutes, Luton were unable to get out of their own half, let alone threaten the Blues line, but significantly, the scoreline remained unchanged, until on their first venture into the Kettering 22, Luton were awarded a penalty and closed the gap. Joe Daniel then restored the lead with a penalty of his own, before Luton once again closed the gap with their second penalty in a first half which had become increasingly scrappy, leading to a number of flair ups as players became frustrated with the difficult conditions.

Then, as the half drew to a close, Luton launched a ferocious assault on the Blues line, with a score seemingly inevitable. Somehow the Blues clung on and eventually turned the ball over and cleared their lines as the halftime whistle sounded.

Playing down the slope and now commanding much of the territory, Luton dominated much of the second period, denying the Blues possession and slowing the game down at every opportunity. This paid off and despite great defensive work, eventually the Luton scrum half took advantage of a gap in the Blues defence to score a converted try under the posts and give his side the lead for the first time. This was extended with a third penalty and the game appeared to be slipping away from Kettering.

However, this Blues side has worked hard on its resilience this season and this shone through as the Blues launched their own assault on the Luton line with a driven line out which saw 12 of the Blues side involved. Legally, or otherwise, this was repelled and maybe the chance had gone? Back came the Blues and the next time the same tactic appeared to have failed Joe Daniel chipped the ball over the line for Damian Conyard to score a try and close the gap to a single point, with little time left on the clock. Daniels conversion attempt was wide and with only seconds remaining it appeared that the chance had gone.

From the restart the Blues launched one last attack into the Luton half. When the referee blew for a penalty to
Luton it seemed as though they had done enough. However, one of the touch judges had seen an earlier infringement and the decision was reversed giving the Blues a penalty 40 metres out. Daniel stepped up and this time, as oft times before, drilled the ball straight through the middle of the posts to the obvious delight of the many travelling Blues supporters and understandable despair of the Luton players and supporters who had come so close to winning themselves.

Whilst the East Midlands Cup has somehow lost its place as the premier trophy to play for in the East Midlands, as league survival or promotion takes priority, this game and anyone who witnessed it, can only have enhanced its reputation. Ok, it wasn't a game of highly skilled, flowing rugby and there were many mistakes, and both sides can undoubtedly play better than they did on the night. However, for passion, commitment and high drama right to the very last seconds, you would go a long way to witness a better example. The Blues, for their part, will certainly do all they can to retain the trophy next season.

This was a fitting way for retiring skipper, Chris Chapman, to sign off and he can now focus on playing the game without the added responsibility of captaincy, whilst still bringing his fantastic enthusiasm and desire to succeed to the game. Well done Chappers, get the knees sorted and see you at pre-season.