Kettering Lose Rumbustious Cup Match To Oundle

An incident packed game for Ketts under 15s saw them lose their 100%record for the season. Despite an early try for Tim Hale, who had burst through two tackles and run in from his own half in the 5th minute it was Oundle who had the better of the first half. The visitor’s dominance up front was going to take its toll eventually and they equalled the score 5 minutes later forcing over after several phases.

Oundle seemed certain to score again but a last ditch tackle from Tim Hale scruffily forced the player into touch, the referee deemed the tackle dangerous and Tim was shown the yellow card .With the Blues down to 14 it was only a matter of time before they conceded again but Kettering held firm for almost all of the allotted punishment, until Oundle forced home their second try. It was proving a bad day for both teams with the boot as the third try in a row went unconverted, the kick troubling the corner flag more than the posts in this case.

With Kettering restored to 15 and a couple of substitutions Kettering were back up to full strength. Unfortunately for Kettering the next five minutes were probably decisive in the game. After having worked hard to force a knock on by Oundle’s forwards Blues failed to win their own scrum on their 22. The resulting try gave Oundle a ten point lead. To make things worse Blues did exactly the same minutes later and, with this try actually converted, it left a 22 to 5 deficit to make up in the second half.

Kettering started the second half well and when Jacob Lewington finally found a gap to run into he finished under the posts with a trade mark 50 yard try. Both Jack Smith and Sam Lloyd made good carries - Sam especially breaking through several attempted tackles to gain 40 yards - but Kettering could not keep possession for long enough to put the Oundle defence under pressure.

Once again Oundle's forwards forced the ball over the line but once again failed to convert. With Kettering contributing to their own downfall with too many handling errors and needless off sides, the game was put to bed by a sixth try to the visitors.

Kettering just had time to score the try of the game when Jake Lewington‘s deep kick was chased down by Tim Hale forcing the opposing fullback to hurry a clearance which was scooped up by Brandon Lawrence on the left wing and, with the kind of slick footed run no prop forward should have in their locker, went over for Kettering’s 3rd try of the game.

Special mentions to Tom Burges-Lumsden returning to the side after injury and Sam Lloyd for a fantastic performance even in defeat.

Report by Paul Gordon