With both sides having won their opening game of the season, and Newbold, in particular, in confident mood after their 70 point demolition of Ilkeston, this was always going to be a tense affair, and so it proved as the lead changed hands a number of times before Daniel's dramatic last minute drop goal won the day for the Blues.

Kettering started the better, in a fast paced game, with both sides looking to attack with real purpose. Execution was proving to be a problem, and it was 25 minutes before debutant, Alex Linnell (a third generation of both sides of his family to pull on the Blues 1st team shirt), gleefully dived over for a try after some fine handling and support saw the space created for him on the right wing. The conversion attempt was wide and the Blues had a slender lead.

2 Newbold penalties then gave the hosts the lead, before Daniel struck his first penalty of the game through the posts for Kettering to lead 8-6 at the interval.

Newbold then re-took the lead with a further 2 penalties to lead 12-8, but then Daniel scored a try and conversion to put the Blues back in front on 57 minutes. A further Daniel penalty stretched the lead to 6 point, but then the hosts scored what looked like the decisive converted try to lead 19-18 going into the final minutes.

The Blues had other ideas, and a determined push saw them camped on the home line. Eventually the ball was sent out to Daniel whose drop goal attempt seemed, to some, to have drifted wide. The referee thought otherwise and gave the score for the Blues to scrape home 21-19.

This was a thrilling encounter, with both sides playing their part, and mistakes adding to the tension of the afternoon. They will both look forward to the re-match at Waverley Road later in the year.

Next weekend sees the visit of "local" rivals, Northampton Old Scouts. This will undoubtedly be a keenly contested game, with hopefully a big crowd turning up for the official opening of the re-firbished bar and lounge area.