Vipers v Colts (Friendly)

Kettering made the windy trip to Blaby for a return friendly hosted by Vipers this week.
The A14: M1 junction holding up half the team didn't help the warm up and pre-match preparations.

Both sides and supporters observed a minutes silence in memory of Wayne Shearsmith.
Thank you Vipers for that.

The match started as a good even contest with Kettering's scrum and defence holding up well against a large vipers unit. The wind was strong and erratic and not really helping either side construct any phase play or territory. Closing in on half-time and neither side had put any points on the board. Kettering where under a bit of territorial pressure but the slide defence and tackling remained good. Vipers kicked deep and the Blues return missed touch allowing the Vipers left wing to scorch forward and from the resulting field position they forced a score. Kettering ran swiftly back for a fast restart trying to turn the big Vipers forwards but the back three fielded cleanly and with an out of shape Kettering defence they took advantage and of the final play and scored again before half-time.

12:0 at half-time.

Kettering regrouped but with limited subs and a couple of knocks not much could be altered.

A panicky restart followed half-time and rather than organising for a proper 22 exit play a hurried clearance kick held up in the wind, was gathered and chipped over the defence for Vipers to score a third. From 0:0 to 17:0 with in a matter of minutes.
The large Vipers pack was eager to gain revenge for the run-around they had experienced at Waverly Road a few weeks earlier. They rolled on plenty of fresh legs and continued a direct driving game creating two further scores.

Kettering continued to compete well at the set piece and finally gained some reward with Justin Leung taking a 'Maori side-step' to bounce of the defence and score near the right touch line. A difficult kick from Oliver Bosworth was well struck but drifted across the posts in the gusting winds.

Final score 29:5.

The Coaches remarked after the match: Two big games ahead, a League game and Cup game both at home over the next two weeks. They are looking forward to a good turn out for training and as many players available as possible before the Christmas break.