Colts in Cup Thriller

After 70 minutes of rugby just a single point separated the sides in this National Colts Cup fixture. It was not dissimilar to a Saints v Tigers game. Tough, physical and hugely entertaining as the lead changed hands four times and both sides crossed the try line with less than five minutes to go.

It was the young blues who started the stronger. Joe Allen opened the scoring with a well struck penalty and then Jordan Goldsmith was on the end of an excellent series of passes to score a try for the fourth time in three weeks. South Leicester pulled a score back to make it 8-5 before Nathaniel Hickey chased his own kick to touch down for Kettering’s second try.

The second half was equally as physical as the first with both sides making tackle after tackle to defend their line. As the pressure mounted Kettering eventually buckled and the home side conceding a series of penalties. South Leicester took advantage and struck twice with two tries, one of which they successfully converted, before Luke Conyard’s blistering run and try tilted the scales in Kettering’s favor (18-17).

With less than five minutes to go South Leicester mounted a series of attacks on the Kettering line and despite some heroic tackling and defense the Leicestershire side eventually found a gap and crossed for a seven point score. With just three minutes on the clock the Kettering forwards secured possession on the right flank and the backs moved the ball along the line to give Harry Luthayi half a chance. The young back didn’t needed a second invitation as he sprinted past his opposite number and the cover defense to score in the far left corner.

The referee indicated that the conversion attempt would be the final play. Such was the drama that some spectators simply could not look as Luthayi stepped up to covert his own try. Regrettably the kick was short and it will be South Leicester who go through to round two leaving Kettering to play in the plate competition.

Speaking afterwards Andrew Keir said; “what a great advert for youth rugby. The players on both sides are shattered. They played their hearts out and I have nothing but praise for both sets of players. We wish South Leicester all the very best for the next round.”

Scores: Joe Allen (penalty 3 minutes), Jordan Goldsmith (try 11 minutes), Nathaniel Hickey (Try 19 minutes), Luke Conyard (Try 68 minutes), Harry Luthayi (try 70 minutes).

Higham Flat Roofing Men of the match (it was simply too difficult to pick out one single player): Kettering players; Josh Beal (No.13), Hayden McCann (No.6) and Gabriel York (No.7).

Florescent shirts were awarded to Nathaniel Hickey and Gabriel York who both forgot to pack their shoes. Regular readers of the Colts match report will recall that Gabriel has managed to forget something for the last three weeks running.