The Colts made the trip to Towcester RFU expecting a hard afternoon for their opening game in the East Midlands Premiership U18s League. They were certainly given a tough examination in the opening quarter. The Towcester pack where physical, driving Kettering back and only some heroic tackling near our own goal line stopped them scoring. After 20 mins neither side had troubled the scorer.

Finally Kettering broke loose and some mistakes in the Towcester back line saw Sam Zeller gather the loose ball and sprint under the posts to then convert his own try.

The line outs became a bit of a lottery with neither side able to generate clean ball and shortly before half-time Kettering pinned Towcester back on their 5 yard line, from the ensuing defensive line out good clean up work at the front saw Cameron Hendry driven over for a short range try with a tricky missed touchline conversion from Sam Zeller.

Half time and a chance for Kettering (and supporters!) to get their breath back. 0-12 at halftime.

A try early on in the second half came from an early visit by Towcester to the Blues 22, a missed conversion followed and the Blues supporters were feeling nervous at 5:12.

Nerves where improved midway through the half when Kettering again stole some ball from the misfiring lineouts, and a period of strong carries, then some width to midfield saw Josh Aldwinkle drive over near the posts. Converted by Sam Zeller.

By now, Ketterings pack was growing into the game, the scrum was moving forwards, and fringe defense was very strong. Time and again Towcester challenged the sides of rucks only to be driven back by a solid blue wall.

The Blues finally pulled clear, with a delightful wrap around backs move between Tareeq Manji and Tom Connolly putting Tom Abbott in space on the left wing, he put is head down and made it past the defense to score under the posts. Converted this time by Oliver Bosworth.

The final play of the match saw Kettering attacking strongly again with a delightful crossfield kick from Tareeq Manji gathered by Tom Abbott who again was under the posts for his double. Converted by Oliver Bosworth.

After the match, Head Coach Graham Wilson said 'I was pleased with the effort and performance today, the lads have improved the value of that Blue shirt on their back today, hopefully the guys who are selected next week will value that shirt and improve on it again."