KRFC U16 V Stamford

Our first Sunday back in the new year brought another tough position. The games against Stamford are always close & today was as tough as ever. Two 30min halves, here's how it played out:
First half:
Stamford kick off but are penalised in the following break down after being warned to keep their hands out of the ruck. Ben kicks for touch & it's our first ever contested line out. Will L-W takes the ball well in the line out. Ball out to the backs, Oran run's hard & straight for a try under the posts, Christian converts. Kettering keep the pressure on after the re-start & Stamford knock on, scrum Kettering. Stamford getting into the game now. They go through 8-9 phases of play working through our half, Kettering defending really well & we hold the ball up over the line, 50/22 kick to Kettering. We continue to apply pressure, force mistakes & are working hard up the pitch, it's all Kettering now but the Stamford full back see's an interception opportunity & he takes it, he runs 3/4 of the pitch for a try, Stamford convert.
Second half:
We give a penalty away & put ourselves under pressure, it's a line out on our 5m & Stamford look to be over but we hold the ball up again & it's a 50/22 kick to Kettering.It's all Kettering again, we are applying the pressure & it's working. Oran makes a great break down the wing but gets bundled out on their 10m. Stamford line out but the throw isn't straight, we opt for a scrum, Stamford win the scrum but our backs are all over them & the pressure is too much, Stamford fumble the ball ( knock on) Milo scoops it up & scores under the posts, great reactions from the 9. Ben converts. Kettering really turning the screw now, we are heaping the pressure on & forcing Stamford mistakes, off side after off side means penalty after penalty for us. A great break from the backs now & Sam's in support to take the final pass & he dives over for a well deserved try, no conversion. It's the final nail & the boys take a very well deserved win.
It was a whole team effort today & while we kept our penalty count way down, we were able to keep the pressure on Stamford which in turn forced their penalty count up. Some fabulous work from the forwards in defence & attack which really freed up the backs. The scrum & line out worked particularly well which again kept that pressure on. I was asked to note that Max got sat down by the opposition but other than that he put a huge effort in up front. Ben, Christian & Oran kept the back line ticking away.
Big thanks to Luis for reffing & keeping order & Michelle for standing in as first aider which thankfully wasn't needed until Paul Bowman broke a nail washing up.
To the boys please try to attend at least one training session a week if you can, we are seeing huge improvements in players that do & this also really helps with the communication with your team mates on game day.