Rushden II v Kettering IV

After a lackluster performance last week, Kettering really needed a good outing, and, despite the loss, were rewarded for their efforts with a great team performance.

The game started with Kettering immediately on the attack, pushing Rushden down inside their 22. The forwards asserted their dominance on the scrum, which would continue throughout the game. However, they were unable to come away with a score, before a couple of breaks from Rushden put the first points on the board.

Kettering went straight back to work and steadily marched down the field. A penalty on the 5m line gave the first opening to score and Jamie Bartley carved his way over the line, although it was Rob Jackson who managed to ground the ball, with Rob Tilley converting the points.

Both teams continued to pressure each other, but it was Rushden who manged to score next, bringing the scoreline to 12 - 7 at half time.

The second half continued in the same vain as the first with both sides trading tackles and hits. Kettering seemed to maintain the best of the pressure, but were unable to break the solid Rushden goal line defence, before a well worked lineout had the ball moving through the hands of the Rushden backs and moving down the field for another score.

Kettering rallied once more and some solid forward play opened the field for Chris Cross who soaked up three tackles before offloading to Craig McLundie for an excellent finish.

With time running short, Kettering immediately went on the attack, and a kick from Rob Tilley sailed inside the Rushden 22 before bouncing out. The ball from the lineout was a little messy but was cleaned up before being passed out to the wing. However, as the clock ran out, Phil Cross was unable to keep himself from being tackled off the field and the final whistle was blown.

With "The Judge" out of town, Tom Dickinson presided over the post game awards:

Man of the Match: Scott Heaton

D?#k of the Day: Craig McLundie (despite his try!)

Thanks go to Rushden for a great day out and a great game against worthy opponents. To Richard Danks for sorting this game after our league game fell through, despite being on holiday. To Nick White, for taking charge of replacements and injury substitutions. And to all of Kettering IVs, who played their hearts out and left the field with a smile.