Kettering Development side hit Route 66

An under 15 development XV headed off to deepest St Ives on Sunday on a mission to give the whole age group squad a full game run out. Thanks to St Ives for giving us the fixture and it should be noted that they were missing several of their regular starters.

Just to make things interesting the match was played in a gale with horizontal rain and finger numbing cold for good measure.However the underfoot conditions were very good and something of a surprise after our last trip was played in ankle deep mud - hats off to the St Ives groundsman.

Kettering were on the front foot from the off and despite the changes to the squad the boys gelled instantly. Elliott got things started and scored his first try for the season with a smart pick and go from the base of a ruck 5m out which Ed converted.0-7. Next up was a guest appearance on the left wing from Chris who skipped around and charged through the home defence to score in the left corner, this time without the extras.0-12. Kettering were enjoying the majority of possession but St Ives kept making things hard with some good scrumaging and first up tackling. Despite their defensive resolve Kettering scored again on the right wing through Josh and then on the left through Ed both unconverted from wide out.0-22. Chris and Josh then made way for Conal and Fred to join the fray - I think they just wanted a hot shower personally!

Next came a penalty try after a high tackle on Haydn which Ed converted to make it 0-29. Shortly afterwards George showed a great turn of pace and excellent handling to take a low ball in at the right corner. 0-34. Alfie then joined the party with a typical charging run to score from close range which Ed converted. 0-41. There was still time left in the half for Haydn to score to the right of the posts with a strong run which Ed couldn't convert. HT 0-46.

It was a remarkable first half and a credit to the whole squad that they could produce such compelling attacking rugby to rack up 8 tries.

Despite the scoreline St Ives rallied well in the second half and were much more combative and effective in limiting Kettering's opportunities to score. It's a big credit to their character that they chose to front up and battle on when some teams might have taken the easier route and waved the white flag.

The first of four second half tries saw Ed finish off an excellent break from Fred on the right wing. Next up Ben went on a rampaging run through the home defence to score - both tries unconverted. Both teams were starting to feel the scars of battle and Kettering were reduced to 14 players after Joe went off with a knock having performed busily and effectively all morning. Richard then joined the scorers with a great burst through several defenders to touch down - with Haydn hitting the cross bar with his conversion attempt. 0-61. And completing the scoring Tom popped up on Richard's shoulder to register his first try after 4 years in Kettering colours...that's my boy!

Further injuries and knocks saw Kettering eventually reduced to eleven men on the pitch for the last 10 minutes. However despite some robust attacking from St Ives the players left standing managed to manfully repel the onslaught and keep a creditable clean sheet. FT 0-66.

Despite the conditions Kettering put on a display to be proud of and showed the strength in depth that the squad has in every position. Special welcome to Zac making his first appearance in the blue and white - he played a strong game at no 8 and looked right at home with his new team mates. A special mention to Cam as well making the trip over to St Ives to support his team mates from the touch line.

Thanks again to St Ives for their competitive rugby spirit on the pitch and generous hospitality off it ! We look forward to playing you again soon.

And finally its Golden Bacon Butty Hall of Fame time. This time in the pork munching chair was noted Professor of Food Richard Izzard and yours truly. It's been a long road this season and we finally have the end in sight - just 4 more weeks until the season's champion is crowned. Several rashers of crispy bacon, freshly made bread roll, lashings of HP sauce....are what we would have liked....but sadly we were a little underwhelmed. Maybe we are getting used to the occasional free roll and extra sausage but our experience was a bit of a disappointment. The bread roll had the slightly sad appearance of a long life product and despite the bacon being well cooked it was a single rasher and looked rather lonely. And there was no HP sauce....yet again. However on the up side the entire bacon roll only set Professor Izzard back £1.50 so you can't say it wasn't good value. Overall not the Everest of bacon rolls...more like a Scafell Pike...on a wet and windy day and hitting a score of 5.5 points to take 6th place this season.

And that's your lot, until the next time adios amigos.