Kettering overcome determined Old Scouts team

A chilly winter's morning at Waverley Road as we welcomed Old Scouts for our first meeting for a couple of seasons in the League.

The first five minutes was evenly contested as both teams took a measure of each other. Kettering won a scrum on the Old Scouts 5m line after a kick through from Ed. Chris picked up at the back and charged through before the ball was released through the backs to put Josh over for the unconverted first try in the corner. 5-0. Another try followed soon afterwards as Josh again showed good speed on the left wing to beat the cover defence from the kick off before Chris poppoed up to complete the move and score again on the left. 10-0.

It was a recurring theme now as Josh made more ground although Old Scouts showed great determination to bring him down and turn the ball over before kicking to touch. The forwards did well to steal the opposition throw and release Jame Redden from outside the 22 at speed to break through and score under the posts which Henri was able to convert. 17-0. The try scoring continued as Kettering recovered from a hesitant attempt at collecting the kick off to eventually set Henri free on a great break into the Old Scouts 22. He was held up well but was able to set Haydn free who had supported well to cross the line for another unconverted try. 22-0.

Despite the strength of the blue attacks Old Scouts now rallied well and after several Kettering substitutions had several attacks of their own on the Kettering line. It was only some resolute last ditch defending that prevented them from scoring and getting back into the game. There was still time in the half for another Kettering try with a good line out win setting the backs free and Harvey being put into space near the line - finishing strongly under several strong but ultimately unsuccessful tackles. HALF TIME 27-0.

The start of the second half was much more even as Old Scouts showed great tenacity in the loose to keep the scores level for a considerable period. Kettering were able to win ball but on too many occasions took it into contact rather than finding team mates in space. Eventaully from a quick tap penalty by Tasker Cam was put in a 1 on 1 with a defender who was unable to match his pace as he ran in strongly to score in the left corner - again without the extras being added. Kettering now kept up the attacking momentum as Josh stripped the ball well from an opposition player in the tackle and fed the ball to Robbie who kicked into space. Although the defence came up with the ball Kettering did well again to turn the ball over this time for Henri to take advantage of a gap in the defence to work his way over to score to the right of the posts. 37-0.

Old Scouts weren't to go unrewarded for their efforts though and from an attacking scrum they picked and drove through some hesitant tackles to score a deserved try. 37-5.

Your reporters notes get somewhat scrambled at this point but I can decipher that there was still time in the game for Kettering to come back with a couple of scores for Cam and George to leave the a final score of 47-5.

Thanks to Old Scouts for providing challenging opposition and making us work hard for the win. Kettering have work to do in training on the set piece, tackling technique and decision making in attack but will be pleased with some excellent spells of attacking play and a comfortable victory.