Blues bring it on with 11 try blitz

A sunny but autumnal Sunday saw the U15s welcome Broadstreet, on their travels from Coventry,to Waverley Road. With several players missing through holiday and injury the whole squad was called on to try and maintain the group's winning start to the season.

The first moments of the game were marked by indecision at the kick off and a powerful scrum from the away side leaving the Blues short of ball.....and direction. Fortunately this wasn't to be a repeat of the occasional slow start that we are prone to as the boys sprang into defensive action to close down the Broadstreet backs and win a good turnover. The ball went through the hands to George York on the left wing before being recycled back wide the other way where Cam barged over to the right of the posts with Robbie adding the extras. 7-0.

It seemed the best plan was to keep the ball away from the powerful set piece of the opposition as they monopolised their own ball without being able to gain much territory. Positive and direct defence saw the Kettering back row trio dominate the loose and turn over quick ball to unleash Cam from 30 metres out to skirt the defence and score in the corner - this time unconverted. 12-0. The Blues really turned the screw now and it was a Henri Stiles special taking the kick off and running the ball powerfully straight back - with 3 hand offs- to score in the corner - again unconverted. 17-0.

The pattern of the half was now set - Broadstreet strong in the set piece but Kettering running up quickly in defence to win every loose ball, showing some high quality support and offloads, this time to send Henri through for another try which he converted himself. 24-0. Next up it was Jamie Redden scooping up a loose ball after Josh L was well tackled to dive over without the extras. 29-0. The half was rounded off by something no defence wants to face - Dom Ferreira on the rampage and running the ball in from 25 metres out despite some brave tackling. 34-0.

The second half saw two changes with Will and Elliott coming on and Alfie and George taking a break. Broadstreet re-organised well and came out with renewed determination despite a tough start. They showed improved ball retention and kept possession well, frustrating Kettering's efforts to get into the game. It took a moment of inspiration from Robbie to unlock the home defence chipping over the top for Henri to gather well. From the resulting scrum on the Broadstreet 5m line Robbie crashed over for a smart try converted by Henri. 41-0.

However Broadstreet showed they weren't giving in without a fight and when Kettering failed to gather the kick off they ripped through the home defence, brushing off tackles, to score to the left of the posts with the extras added. 41-7.

Joe now came on to replace Tasker, who had enjoyed an excellent day ,and he set Henri free inside his own half on a mazy run through the entire opposition team (or so it seemed) to immediately answer back with a converted try.48-7. More of the same was to follow with an excellent finish from Josh Langley and one a piece more for Cam and Henri one of which was converted, to leave the final score at Kettering 65 Broadstreet 7.

All of the squad can be proud of their contribution to an excellent win and a commitment to fast and attractive rugby. The forwards showed tigerish tenacity in the loose, winning lots of quick ball that the pace and guile of the backs put to plentiful use.

Thank you to Broadstreet for giving us a tougher game than the scoreboard suggests - you never let your heads go down and we look forward to playing you again in future.