With a further 4 changes to the starting line up from the previous week, this was always going to be a tough challenge for the Blues, as Market Rasen came to town looking for their first ever win at Waverley Road and in a determined mood. But almost simultaneous injuries to two of the stand out forwards, Ryan James and Simon Bartley, after 20 minutes, and with the Blues leading 5-0, proved a major turning point as the visitors took full advantage to turn things around and run out deserved winners at the end of the day.

The game began well enough for the Blues, although the usually outstanding boot of record points scorer Joe Daniel went missing in the early stages as 2 penalties and the conversion of Bartley's early try all went wide to give the Blues a slender lead. In fairness, Market Rasen also missed a kick they should have converted as the game ebbed and flowed from one end to the other.

When Bartley and James left the field, both sides seemed to be affected. Unfortunately for the Blues their performance was negatively affected, whilst the visitors were visibly lifted. As a result Market Rasen scored 2 converted tries before the break, whilst the Blues missed a 3rd penalty, to see the visitors leading 14-5 at half-time, the latter score coming with the last play of the half.

Worse was to follow for the home side as the visitors scored another converted try within 30 seconds of the re-start to open up a significant lead. The Blues struck back when a great break by Joe Newman put Josh Plowright through for a try under the posts, which Daniel converted, only for the visitors to hit back with a 4th try of their own to pull clear again.

With 20 minutes left Daniel intercepted a pass and scored under the posts to make his own conversion a simple one, which brought the Blues to within a converted try. However, this was to be the last score of the game and the visitors comfortably held out to secure the 5 points, giving the Blues a consolation of a losing bonus point, which at one had seemed unlikely.

The Blues squad has been stretched to the very limits of late and with a full team of potential first teamers out, the end of the season and the chance to recover, will be well received. One more game, away at Matlock, gives the side the chance to reach their points target of 72, although their hosts will no doubt be looking to finish their disappointing season on a high point, so another big challenge lies ahead this weekend at Cromford Meadows.

RAJ Man of the Match: Chris Chapman