Strong Finish Can't Save Thirds

Yet again, Kettering’s Thirds fell short of the result they deserved after a superb second half performance against Old Scouts. Three early tries from the Northampton side but the Blues on the back foot, and despite being the stronger side for 60 minutes Kettering could not reel in the deficit.

Early injuries to Lee Robinson and Charlie McNeil meant Kettering had to reorganise, and time taken doing so cost another try. Remaining committed to the cause, as the thirds have all season, Kettering battled on, and got some reward in bizarre circumstances mis way through the first half. A deep Jamie Clelland kick gave Scouts a line out 10 metres from goal. Scouts winger went to take a quick one and was warned off – however the ball slipped from his grasp and rolled on to the pitch. Matt Winspear picked up the ball and walked towards the try line, with all around watching as he did so. Scouts failed to catch on, having not noticed the ball bobble over the five metre line, and stood still as Winspear walked under the posts to touch down for the least energetic try he’ll ever score.

The Blues came out for the second half bullish and fired up, making life very difficult for the Scouts and disrupting their play very effectively. Strong running from Sean Marshall and Steve Judge in the centres was starting to create holes, and the forwards were dominating the contact areas.

Controversy struck with 20 minutes to go, when Marshall cut back on Clelland to break the line and run clear. 10 metres from the line, Scouts scrum half tripped Marshall with a vicious kick to the shins. Marshall got up and ran in for the try, but the referee called play back, awarding a scrum rather than a penalty try, or indeed a penalty at all. The Scouts player received a yellow card for ‘extreme dangerous play’, to much confusion and protest.
From the restart, justice was served. Kettering put several phases together and Ross Lundy went over in the corner for the Blue’s second try.

Third team pressure continued to build, with Scouts pinned in their own half for the remainder of the game. Unfortunately, Kettering were unable to break through for any further scores, little mistakes and interesting decisions letting Scouts back at the ball and able to clear their lines.

A high point of the game was certainly the performances of the three colts who had stepped up to the senior squads this week, James Aldwinckle, Owen Rees and Ashley Marshall all giving good accounts of themselves.

Men of the Match: Graeme Wilson and James Aldwinckle

Team:
P. Ling (J. Bartley), McNeil, Alex, James Aldwinckle, Robinson (Digger), Bannister, Lundy (Beattie), Wilson; O. Rees, Clelland, Long, Payne (Judge), S. Marshall, Winspear, Thomatos (A.Marshall)