Try Count Heartache for Colts

The Colts travelled to Market Harborough unsure of the what to expect given we haven't ran out against them since 2008 in the Boot albeit we knew it would be a good contest.

Captain Reece Coles gathered the squad in the changing just before kick off and gave an emotional speech that got everyone in the right frame of mind to give of there best in front of a good crowd that included a number of the Blues first team and Captain Chris Chapman.

Conditions were challenging with a strong cross wind and a greasy surface form the recent heavy rain however the pitch was in good nick. Harborough started strongly scoring a good try in the opening 5 minutes through the middle of the park set up by a rampaging run from the large back row and finished of by the supportive outside centre under the posts for a easy conversion. As Ketts gathered under the post for the conversion they calmly spoke about how to contain the obvious threat from 7 and 8 and importantly remain focused on the Blues strengths (great maturity lads).

The game ebbed and flowed with both sides defending stoutly when needed and running hard when the gaps appeared. The early indications were this was going to be a tight affair decided buy single score!!
Having battled into the home sides 22 on a couple of a occasions the quick thinking Blues 10 Ollie Furniss terrorised the home defence at every chance by taking numerous quick tap and goes which twice resulted in him getting over the line and landing the conversions.

At half time Kettering had a narrow lead 15:17 and in the huddle Big G encouraged the players to give more of the same boys, the No. 8 is the key threat keep him out of the game and slow the ball at every chance.
The game resumed with some strong play and it was clear to see that both sides wanted to progress to the next round. At the set piece both scrum and line out were aggressively challenged as both packs looked to gain the upper hand and give their backs some go forward ball. In truth it was honours evens as neither front 8 managed to get the upper hand so it was always going to come down to taking your chances when they came and keeping the error count down.

And so it was that Harborough made a couple of strong breaks that resulted in scoring a couple of try's to Kettering's single try in the second half which was taken well by Luke Conyard out wide.

With the score at 26 a piece and only a few minutes left on the clock it has come right down to the wire. The captain encouraged his players to go for it (no regrets boys no regrets) and the Blues kept Harborough in their own half for the majority of the final period. The pressure finally told and Kettering earned a penalty on the 10m line around the middle of the park and without hesitation Coles backed his 10 and pointed at the posts. Everyone knew time was up and the ref would blow his whistle after the kick. Furniss stepped up and struck a beauty into the freshening wind that cruelly pulled up just short of the cross bar. Harborough ran the ball back at Kettering as they believed they needed to score to go through however when the ball went into touch the ref declared Harborough winners having scored 4 try's to Kettering's 3. A tough way to decide a well contested game. As the players left the field both sets of supporters gave both teams strong applauds for putting on a great game in tough conditions.

An outstanding performance from Furniss scoring 23 points rightly earning him the man of the match awarded by Big G at the end of the game. Again there was high emotion from a number of players as we huddled at the end showing real passion and pride in the shirt, the team and the club. Stand tall, remain proud and believe.