Blues fail to overcome determined Rasen side

With the enforced changes taking an early toll, and a fired up home side hitting their stride from the off, the Blues found themselves 12-0 dowwn within the first few minutes. The cause wasn't helped when the usually deadly boot of Harry Owens misfired and a relatively simple penalty went wide.
Despite their issues, the visitors fought back and Dan Ireland scored a try, which Owens converted as the half entered its final stages. Then, right on the break, Tom Connolly thought he had scored in the corner, only for the try to be ruled out for a foot in touch.
Playing down the slope, and with their tails up, the Blues looked to capitalise, but it was the hosts who scored next with a penalty, to extend their lead to 15-7.
The Blues began to dominaate proceedings from here on in, and it was no surprise when they scored a try through skipper, Tom Bridgeman, joining on the back of a great forward surge. Disappointingly the conversion was missed, but now within the one score the Blues sensed victory was in their grasp.
This certainly appeared to be the case, when Steve Fraher dotted down, to put the Blues in front for the first time in the game, 17-15. Then came a decisive moment, With the home side reeling, the Blues drove into their 22, and a penalty was given, which also resulted in a yellow card for one of the home forwards.
Now on a real high, the Blues elected to kick to the corner, and almost everyone in the ground expected a try from the lineout. Unfortunately for Kettering, their usually reliable lineout failed to function and the home side were awarded a penalty. They cleared their lines and when another penalty was awarded in front of the Blues posts, their kicker stepped up and converted the opportunity to put the hosts back into the lead.
With 5 minutes on the clock there was still time, but Market Rasen were in no mood to let this, somewhat unexpected, lead slip and they showed great determination and desire to hang on for the win.

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