Blues make it 3 in a row.

The conditions could not have been any worse, as the game was in doubt right up until the kick-off with both sides and the referee finally agreeing to get the game underway and see how things progressed.

The Blues began well playing into the gale force wind, and some fine handling saw James Taylor finish off the move to score the opening try after 5 minutes. Joe Daniels conversion attempt was wide as the wind took its toll. Coalville used the wind intelligently and kicked deep into the Blues 22 at every opportunity. From one such sortie, a grub kick by the home scrum half bobbled dangerously near the Blues line. Daniels attempted clearance into touch hit the corner flag and the home winger dived onto the ball for an unlikely try. The conversion from wide out was expertly made to give Coalville a 7-5 lead.

With Coalville kicking and driving the ball tight and the Blues trying to retain possession and handle the ball up the field, the game became a fascinating battle of styles. The Blues broke clear on a number of occasions, but some good scramble defence and handling errors from the Blues saw them fail to add to their tally. Whilst some sterling work near their own line by the Blues kept the home side at bay until the break.

Coalville started the 2nd half well and it was 5 minutes before Kettering managed to break into the home 22. Once there they took full advantage and a devastating 10 minute spell saw them score 4 tries. Firstly, Shane Ling dived over from close range. Quickly followed by tries from Jamie Manley, Joe Newman and a second for Taylor to effectively kill the game off. Daniel converted 2 of the scores to give the Blues a 29-7 lead going into the final quarter.

To their credit Coalville continued to work hard and were rewarded with a second try of their own. This time the conditions proved too difficult and the conversion fell short.

This only spurred the Blues on and following concerted pressure on the home line, skipper and man of the match, Chris Chapman, pounced on a loose ball from a 5-metre scrum to seal the win. Daniels conversion was successful to give the Blues a convincing 36-12 win.

Next week sees a very different challenge for the young Kettering side, as play-off favourites Derby are the visitors to Waverley Road. The first encounter this season saw the Blues make a valiant effort to claw back a 20 point deficit, only to miss a last second penalty which would have given them a losing bonus point.

RAJ Man of the match: Chris Chapman