The game could not have started better for Kettering when they turned over the ball deep in their own 22 and instead of kicking clear, moved the ball right to Damien Conyard, who showed considerable pace and determination to run 80 metres for the opening try, which was converted by Andy Byrne.

Derby hit back, and quickly equalised when pressure on the Blues scrum saw the ball pop out and the Derby scrum half quickly released the ball to the inside centre who charged over near the posts, making the conversion a formality.

Derby were causing problems with their direct play and Kettering were unusually lacklustre in their tackling and work rate. This led to pressure building up and it wasn't too long be fore a simple catch and drive, poorly defended, saw the home side score an unconverted try to lead 12-7 after 20 minutes.

The Blues kept plugging away and a Byrne penalty reduced the arrears, before a second catch and drive try showed that they had learnt little from the first and Derby led 17-10 after half an hour. At this point, prop Shane Ling had to leave the field with an ankle injury, to be replaced by Dan Martin, who had a fine game thereafter.

Worse was to follow, as Tom Bridgeman suffered a head injury and the new RFU precautionary measures were enforced and he had to leave the field, to be replaced by Ryan Conyard at scrum half, with Sam Wilson taking over at fullback. Despite this the Blues finished the half by closing the gap to 4 points with another Byrne penalty, as only desperate, but illegal, Derby defence prevented a Blues try, leaving the score 17-13 to Derby at the break.

With conditions in their favour the home side looked to take advantage, but the Blues came out a much more positive side and took the lead when fine running and handling saw the home defence stretched enough to enable Blues man of the match, Josh Plowright to squeeze into the right corner, for an excellent try after 43 minutes, to see the Blues lead 18-17.

Tight head prop, Josh Cox was next to leave the field with concussion as the physical nature of the game took its toll. This left the Blues without a replacement front row, and so, under the rules of the competition, the Blues had to remove a player and the game went to uncontested scrubs. David a Bannister was the unlucky player to leave the field. This meant that with 20 minutes to go the Blues would have to play out the rest of the game with 14.

Undeterred, the Blues continued to move the ball around and on 65 minutes were rewarded when James Taylor squeezed into the left corner for an unconverted try, to give the Blues a 6 point advantage, which was further extended by a Byrne penalty on 70 minutes, to leave the hosts needing two scores to win the game.

Shortly after this the home scrum half sustained a serious looking head/neck injury and the game was halted for several minutes before it was decided that the play should be moved to another pitch whilst the player was treated and medical help summoned. Subsequently we have heard that he is ok and will make a full recovery. Our best wishes go to him and the Derby club.

The final 8 minutes saw no further scores, although the Blues had Derby under all kinds of pressure as they searched for the elusive, bonus point try. This was not forthcoming and they had to settle for the win, and hope that their own injured players recover quickly, although Bridgeman and Cox will not be allowed to play until 28th March at the earliest, subject to the return to play protocol.

RAJ Man of the Match: Josh Plowright