Blues not at the races

Kettering could not have started much worse, when a fired up home side took full advantage of some extraordinarily inept tackling from the usually resilient Blues, to take a 10 point lead after only 5 minutes with a penalty and converted try, as the hosts used the wind and slope advantage to dominate the early exchanges.
Back came the Blues, and Tom Connolly finished off a fine break from Harry Owens, for an unconverted try to reduce the arrears to 5 points. That deficit quickly became a two point advantage, as Josh Plowright pounced on a charged down kick to weave through the disorientated defence for the Blues second try, which was converted by Ben Hanger.
The Home side responded and took the lead with another well struck penalty, and then a very fortunate bounce went the home sides way and their fullback sprinted down the left touch line from halfway to score a try, which was converted to give Huntingdon an eight point lead after 20 minutes.
That was it for the first half, as the early points rush came to a halt, although the Blues should have reduced the lead with a penalty on the halftime whistle, but Hangers attempt drifted wide.
With a home player in the bin, Kettering started the second half in dominant mood. It was no surprise when Kev Osborne scored from close range and Hangers conversion reduced the home sides lead to a single point.
At this stage, it looked like the Blues were going to take control, and to some extent they did. However, the home defence held firm and with Kettering declining a couple of kickable penalties in favour of kicks to the corner, the score remained unchanged until a dropped pass deep in the Huntingdon 22, was picked up by the home player, who ran fully 80 metres before Tom Connolly managed to effect a tackle, but with the other Kettering players in attendance failing to cut off the pass to the supporting home winger, the next score went to Huntingdon with a converted try.
Again, Kettering dominated proceedings but time and again failed to cross the Huntingdon line, until at last they opted for a catch and drive and Shane Ling scored with ease. Hanger converted the try to, once again close the gap to a single point, but the score had come too late and the hosts held on for the win.
Despite scoring 4 tries, the Blues know that their defensive lapse early on and their decision making later on, were major contributors in a defeat against a talented and physical Huntingdon side, which will go down as three points lost rather than two points gained for the Kettering side.

RAJ Man of the Match: Josh Plowright