COLTS EDGE PAST CASUALS

Before the game players from Kettering (Colts, 4XV and Vets), Casuals, Wellingborough and Bugbrooke lined out across the 22, faced the Waverley Road club house and held a minutes silence as a mark of respect to Neil Osborne who sadly passed away earlier in the week. Neil played in the second row for Kettering during the 1970’s and 80’s and fittingly his grandson, Reece Coles, started on the flank for Kettering Colts.

Kettering Colts opened the game brightly and after a couple of rucks close to the opposition line hooker Keir Young was on hand to touch the ball down for Kettering’s opening try. Casuals responded quickly and were able to score out wide (5-5). The first half remained close until Kettering Colts moved the ball wide and following a wrap-around move in the backs winger Ashley Marshal crossed in the corner to give the home side a half-time lead.

The second half was just as close with Casuals levelling the score after 50 minutes with a well worked try in the corner. Both sides continued to throw the ball around in a thoroughly open and exciting game however, it was Kettering who scored the winning try courtesy of Calum Whitehead. A sustained period of pressure enabled Kettering Colts to move the ball wide and Whitehead was on hand to break the line and power his way in for the winning try. Ryan Conyard added the conversion.

The GLOBAL Group (Sponsors of Kettering Colts) man of the match (voted for by the players) was Kettering Number 7 Freddie Morris.
Scores: Keir Young - try (6 minutes), Ashley Marshall – try (30 minutes), Calum Whitehead – try (69 minutes), Ryan Conyard – conversion (69 minutes)