The Blues knew that this weekend was going to be a real test of their development, as they travelled to Bedford Ath for the latest Midlands Division 1 East game, with both sides looking to maintain their position in the top half of the table. With the Ath having already played 5 of the top 6 sides, whilst the Blues had played 5 of the bottom 6, the respective league positions were going to count for nothing as the home side still remained one of the most fancied sides in the table, and one of the most difficult to go to and come away with anything.

The game started this way, as the Ath opened up at a fierce pace and stretched the Blues defence time and again. Their first breakthrough almost led to a score, but their last, and scoring, pass was adjudged forward and the Blues were let off. The respite was shortlived and a couple of minutes later, the Bedford left wing, Tommy Mills, broke through and scored the opening, unconverted, try for the home side.

The Blues at last began to come to terms with the home sides pace and began to exert pressure of their own. Joe Daniel was unfortunate with 2 penalty attempts in the stiff breeze, but the Blues took the lead with a catch and drive from a lineout as the penalty count mounted against the home side. George Newman came up with the ball, and Daniel converted from wide out on the right to see Kettering take the lead, 7-5.

As the half entered its final stages some fine handling, including an exceptional dummy from prop Shane Ling, saw James Taylor put clear and the winger raced in for the 2nd try, again converted by Daniel, who had now worked out the difficult cross wind. Indeed, Daniels kicking into the left corner maintained the pressure and as the Ath attempted to run out from deep, Taylor managed to charge down the wingers attempted chip and run in from 35 metres, with Daniel's conversion giving the Blues a 21-5 lead at the break.

The Ath were never going to lay down and they started the 2nd half with renewed purpose, kicking into the same left corner, and penning the Blues in their own 22. It wasn't long before this paid dividends as the home side stretched the Blues defence and Darlow crossed wide out on the right wing for the home sides 2nd try of the game. Fly-half, James Mortimer matched Daniels earlier effort with a fine conversion to close the gap and then only 3 minutes later, they were well and truly back in the game, when Mills bulldozed his way through numerous would be tacklers for an unconverted try. Mortimer then made it a one point game with a penalty and the home crowd were now expecting the win.

This Blues side, however, is high on confidence and determination and they somehow pulled themselves together enough to build concerted pressure on the home line. Tom Bridgeman broke through near the posts and almost scored, but from the re-cycled ball the Blues had numbers on the left and Daniel received the scoring pass from Archie Toseland to extend the lead to 6 points, and secure the 4 try bonus point, with a quarter of the game to go. The difficult conversion drifted wide and the Ath were still within one score, at 26-20.

With 10 minutes left, the Ath attacked again and Rob Watkins somehow managed to find a gap to score in the right hand corner. This time Mortimer's conversion attempt was wide and we were back to a one point game. With time running out Ath launched a ferocious assault on the Blues line, and the visitors, at last found their defensive steel to repel the attacks, which eventually led to a Blues penalty. This not only gave the visitors the breathing space they required, but also led to a couple of heart-stopping moments for the home supporters before the referee called time on a thrilling encounter, and the Blues had come through their toughest test so far, but only just!!

RAJ Man of the Match: Shane Ling & Josh Block