Blues balance the books

The ON's started strongly, and were aided by a poor kick off reception by the Blues which eventually led to the Northampton side taking the lead through an unconverted try. Indeed, during the first quarter of the game, the visitors held the upper hand and should have extended their lead before the Kettering had found their feet.
However, the hosts don't have the best defensive record in the league for nothing, and even though they were far from their best, they held on, and gradually worked their way into the game.
As the half progressed, the Blues began to take control, and the only surprise was that they only had a penalty to show for their efforts at the break, as time and again they were denied the, seemingly, inevitable try, by resolute defence and a significant number of penalties, all which went unpunished by the scoreboard and the referee's use of the card, or penalty try option. So, when the whistle went for half-time, the score was 5-3 to ON's.
The Blues struck early in the second half, with Harry Owens crashing through and over for an unconverted try, to give the hosts the lead. This didn't last too long, as ON's hit ack with a penalty to tie the scores at 8-8.
However, the pressure continues to mount on the visitors, and a yellow card was quickly followed by a penalty try as the referee's patience finally ran out. Owens converted the score to give the Blues a seven point lead, which they were never to relinquish, despite one final push from the ON's, which ended with a Blues penalty.
Indeed, had Owens had his kicking boots on, the Blues would have finished well clear and denied the visitors what could be an important losing bonus point, at the end of the season.

RAJ Man of the Match: Dan Ireland