Colts Unable to Capitalise

A must win game for Kettering as the unbeaten league leaders came to Waverly Rd. Over the years this has always been a well contested affair with both sides giving their all and so it was again from the first kick of the game.
With a loud blast the ref got the game underway and 45 seconds later O.N's had scored under the post, not the start Ketts had hoped for. Shaken but not stirred the Blues regrouped and started to exert some dominance via the forwards which created opportunities for the fly half Ollie Furniss to take the ball on and bring the backs into the game. It didn't take long for Kettering to get on the score board through some strong forward play with repeated pick and goes . After several phases of play O.N simply ran out of numbers which allowed the rampaging Alex Bailey to exploit the fringes and cross the whitewash for a well deserved Blues score. Furniss was unable to add the conversion.

Back in the game Blues continued to press however O.N's fought hard and when the opportunity arose to demonstrate good back line play they duly obliged and scored a number of times in the wide challenges.
Kettering showed great character and dug deep to score 2 more tries during the first half with Freddie Morris bulldozing his way over the line through a sea of defenders and Luke Conyard once again showing his pace and guile to score out wide from a great Furniss pass.
Although down 17:22 at half time there was a strengthening wind assisting Ketts as they took to the pitch for the second half and a justifiable confidence that it was 'there to be had'.

O.N's had travelled with just 17 players and to there credit everyone stood tall. Surprisingly as the half wore on the visitors started to get the upper hand at scrum time and created a couple of strong driving mauls which had Kettering retreating on a number of occasions.
As hard as Kettering pressed they where unable to breakdown the well organised O.N defence and to top it off the ref missed a couple of knock on's which stymied the Blues momentum on a couple of occasions. The visitors scored 2 more tries through there back line and held Kettering scoreless in the second half giving them final score of 36 to Kettering's 17.
To the Blues credit they never gave up and in particular the forwards work rate and commitment was excellent all afternoon. A tough man of the match decision this week with strong performances from Aldwinkle, Bailey, Clubley, Coles and Morris however my man of the match goes to Conor Tilley for his much improved work rate around the park particularly in dealing with the O.N's driving mauls.
Next week we are away to Market Harborough in the Plate 2.15 k.o please be there for 12.45 Training this Tuesday is with the Seniors as the U16's are Bowling with the Juniors and Thursday is on Astro at Thresham.