The Blues started strongest and were soon 3 points to the good with a well struck Joe Daniel penalty. 2 further penalty attempts went wide as Kettering continued to dominate and cause the visitors problems whenever they moved the ball.

Daniel was then successful with another penalty on 18 minutes, but the Blues were unable to turn the pressure into points in the first half and then Newark reduced the deficit on 39 minutes with a penalty of their own, although more significantly, the visitors also had their hooker red carded just before the break for a dangerous tip tackle.

The Blues took full advantage at the start of the 2nd half, and after concerted pressure on the Newark line, Tom Bridgeman took a quick penalty and dived over for a try which Daniel converted. Newark hit Back almost immediately with an unconverted try of their own to close the gap to 13-8.

Daniel then hit a rich vein of kicking form which saw him convert 3 further penalty attempts leaving the Blues with a 22-8 lead entering the final quarter.

At his point it appeared that the home side were going to run away with the game, but resolute defence and the referee's sudden displeasure with the Blues now dominant scrum kept Newark in the game, and then a blindside break and 3 missed tackles later and the visitors scored their 2nd unconverted try to bring them within 8 points on 73 minutes.

The game had now lost much of its shape and the constant stoppages at the scrum didn't help as the blues finished the stronger with the extra man telling to give them a real boost going into the Christmas break.

RAJ Man of the Match: Shane Ling