New boys, plus a golden "oldie", do the business at Ilkeston

With Archie Toseland already out, the late withdrawal of Will Bowley meant a new 2nd row partnership was required for this latest fixture at struggling Ilkeston. Other unavailabilities led to Alfie Ayears starting alongside Alex Bayley, in the row, and former captain, Steve Freeman, getting a very late call up from the Vets to play at openside, like he had never been away!
Josh Cox and Kev Osborne returned in the front row, for the suspended and unavailable, Dan Martin and Mark Watson, whilst Billy Burrell came in at scrum half, and Josh Luthayi on the wing, for the unavailable Conyard brothers, Ryan and Damo. This game also saw Jack Brown and Corey Button take their places on the bench for 1st XV debuts.
The game couldn't have started better for the Blues, as Jordan Butlin rounded off a fine handling move in the second minute to give the visitors a 5-0 lead. The tricky underfoot conditions were proving an issue as time and again players lost their footing whilst on the hoof. Eventually, however, Steve Fraher crossed for the Blues second try, which was converted by Bruce Keir to extend the lead to 12 points with a quarter of the game gone.
Playing down the slope, an also much changed home side were showing real fighting spirit, and they were rewarded with an unconverted try after 30 minutes, but it was the Blues who had the last say of the half, when George Newman finished off a pushover try. Keir converted to give the Blues a 19-5 lead at the break.
Playing down the slope the visitors should have capitalised on the conditions, but failed to exploit them well enough and Ilkeston remained competitive throughout the second half.
It was the Blues who scored first, however, when Butlin spotted a gap and ran in from halfway, for his second and the sides fourth and bonus point score, after 50 minutes, with Keir again converting.
Back came Ilkeston and as the penalty count mounted against Kettering, Alex Bayley was yellow carded, and the home side took full advantage to score their second try, which was converted, to make the score 26-12 with 60 minutes played.
Back at full strength, the Blues extended their lead again, when Fraher crossed for his second, this time unconverted, try. Only for the home side to then score a 12 man push over try from a lineout.
The Blues had the final word, with Josh Cox, gleefully diving over between the posts with the final play of the game, to make Keirs conversion a simple one, and the final score Ilkeston 17 - 38 Kettering.

RAJ Man of the Match: Steve Freeman