Bugbrooke looked to set a marker down on the game and did so in impressive fashion with strong powerful running cutting through the Blues defence on the counter attack. The try scored and converted by the Bugbrooke full back with just three minutes on the clock.

Kettering looked to answer back almost immediately with some impressive phases of play, fly half Josh Plowright took a chance to cut back inside and was held up just before the line in the fifth minute. The travelling side always looked dangerous on the counter attack and this nearly lead to another Bugbrooke score however great cover work from winger Damian Conyard stopped the attack and won a penalty for the blues inside their own 22.

The away pack looked very strong and this was highlighted when Bugbrooke forwards took a catch and drive line out to score in the corner. The conversion was missed and The blues were down 0-12 after 21 minutes.
Kettering again bounced back strongly and built up a lot of pressure that Bugbrooke could only withstand so long, the penalty count was beginning to build, and the Blues first score came from a quick tap penalty taken blind when Damian Conyard was put in for a good finish in the corner for the Home side’s first score. Daniel slotted the conversion in difficult conditions to make it 7-12 after half an hour.

Kettering continued their impressive play right up until half time and nearly scored their second try in the 38th minute when a charged down kick was touched down only to be adjudged offside. The blues went in 7-12 down at the break.

As the teams kicked off the second half the sunshine disappeared and the clouds darkened, but this was no bad omen for Kettering who started the second half as strongly as they finished the first. Attacking the clubhouse end the blues had the momentum, territory, and just two minutes in to the second half they also had points. Plowright turned the visitors blitz defence with a deft chip in behind for centre Joe Newman to capitalise on and touch down, Joe Daniel again adding the extras to make it 14-12 to the blues.

The away side then mounted some pressure back on the blues and had the home defence in their own 22 for some time, however valiant efforts in defence from all involved kept Bugbrooke at bay and forced attacking penalties which let Kettering get back down into the opposition half.

The heavens opened in the second half with thunder also adding to the atmosphere. The hail also began and in the end became a danger, the players were briefly forced off the pitch with 8 minutes left on the clock.

A short while later the decision was taken to resume play. The players came back onto the field in pretty awful conditions. Bugbrooke came back on looking to push for that one crucial score to win the game but it did not go as planned as the impressive Kettering side kept them close to the clubhouse. The onslaught from Kettering then lead to another score when Jamie Manley crossed over in the 74th minute. This unconverted try completed the comeback for the blues who looked very impressive after early wobbles.

Two wins in a row as the blues look to make it a 2014 to remember.

RAJ Man of the Match : Jamie Manley