6 changes, but Blues run continues, just!

The significantly changed Blues squad started well and dominated the early proceedings, as Oadby struggled to come to terms with the pace of the Kettering game. It was no surprise when Steve Fraher emerged from the bottom of a driven maul to open the Blues account after 10 minutes, to give the visitors a deserved 5 point lead.
Joe Daniel was unsuccessful with the conversion, but added a further 3 points from a penalty after the Blues finally elected to kick a penalty rather than kick to the corner and unsuccessfully go for the second try. 0-8.
Despite dominating the vast majority of the first half, there were no further additions to the Blues score and the teams turned around with the visitors in control, but only 8 points to the good.
Kettering started the second half well, but failed to add to their score and Oadby started to take control with their big runners constantly asking questions of the Blues defence. Several players stood out in the Blues efforts to repel their Leicestershire hosts, and it appeared that despite lacking the fluidity of previous weeks, all credit to Oadby, the Blues would hold out.
However, with 20 minutes remaining, the ever threatening Oadby inside centre for once broke clear and burst through a number of would be tacklers to score near the posts, making the conversion a formality. 7-8
The home side now had their tails up and after further concerted pressure scored a second try with 5 minutes remaining to take the lead, 12-8.
The Blues switched things around in a last ditch effort to re-ignite their efforts. This paid off as they battered at the home line. Several penalties were conceded, and the hosts were extremely lucky not to receive more punishment as a number of high tackles, all close to their own line, resulted only in penalties, when other options may well have been the right option?
With, literally, seconds remaining Kettering elected for a scrum from another penalty, and following a number of phases, Matt Neild crashed over to give the Blues the win. Unfortunately for the home side, their outside centre suffered a serious ankle injury in bravely attempting to prevent the score. With the player in clear need of urgent treatment, Daniel took a wrong footed drop kick conversion to end the game, which missed, leaving the final score:

Oadby Wyggs 12 - 13 Kettering.

RAJ Man of the Match: Tom Bridgeman

Update: Immediately after the game the Blues players had a whip round for the injured centre, and raised over 200 pounds. Everyone at the club wishes him a speedy and full recovery.