Blues lose at Towcester despite battling display
Kettering came away from Towcester with no points on the board, but a considerable amount of pride after a 2nd half performance which was full of character, grit and determination.
However, this wasn’t enough against a well organized and equally determined and skillful Towcester side who had taken advantage of a purple patch in the first half which saw them score 22 unanswered points as they took every opportunity which came their way and denied the Blues every time their line was threatened.
Towcester scored an early converted try despite the Blues having the initial territorial advantage, which had seen Joe Daniel miss a difficult penalty attempt, and then a penalty and 2nd converted try followed as both sides struggled in the, to say the least, difficult playing conditions.
With half-time approaching a 17 point lead wasn’t insurmountable, but then James Taylor was surprisingly yellow carded and the home side took advantage to stretch their lead with an unconverted try. They then extended their lead with a 2nd penalty in the first minute of the 2nd half with Taylor still off the field, joining the already injured Matt Nield, who was to take no further part.
As the game wore on the Blues began to dominate proceedings, but the Towcester defence held firm and their backs were a constant threat with Charlie Barker pulling the strings from outside half. The new half-back partnership of 17 year olds, Billy Burrell and Josh Plowright, showed great potential for the Blues, and their probing runs caused problems in the Towcester ranks as Kettering strived for a breakthrough.
It wasn’t to be, and despite some desperate late surges, which deserved more, the young Kettering side was kept at bay, even when twice they drove the Towcester pack backwards and split them apart at five meter scrums, the referee somehow sided with the home team and thwarted the Blues determined efforts.
This coming weekend sees another high flying side, Peterborough Lions, visiting Waverley Road, and they will be looking to continue their push for promotion, whilst the Blues will be looking to build on their efforts from last week and the progress they are showing in their performances of late.
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