CHAMPIONS!

And so it all came down to the last League game of the season. Both Kettering and Towcester had gone through the season unbeaten and now faced each other for a winner takes all match...

Kettering got off to a bright start with Robbie making a fine turnover in mid pitch just after the kick off. WIth the Tows defence in retreat Kettering spread the ball out wide and Josh Owen raced home in space to score in the left corner. Robbie was unable to add the extras.5-0.

Despite the setback Tows soon got on the front foot and showed what a fine team they are - excelling at the breakdown and carrying attacking threats all over the pitch. Both teams were showing good attacking form in spells but it was Tows who had the majority of possession and territory and Kettering were struggling to achieve any continuity against some aggressive defence.

It was no surprise when Tows put together a series of attacking drives that took the ball up the the Kettering 5m line. They spread the ball wide to the left corner and despite the ball appearing not to be grounded the try was awarded without the conversion being made.5-5.

Half-time saw the teams level and gave both sides and supporters the chance to recover from a compelling 30 minutes of rugby.

It was Towcester who started the second half better, using a good kick chase to win a scrum near the Kettering line. After several resets the ball was eventually won back on the Tows side and their big runners charged through some desperate tackling to score to the right of the posts - again without the extra points being added. 5-10.

Kettering had been rocked back by the ferocity and precision of Towcester's play and they now faced a stern test of their resolve to get back into the game.Their strength in the line out has been a feature all season and Richard did well to steal a Tows ball inside the opposition half. He powered up the touchline and with support close at hand the ball was recycled and the backs set into action. Tows tackling was up to the job but they couldn't get the turnover this time and after several phases the ball went wide to Cam who took the ball over the try line. Again the ball appeared to break loose before it was grounded but the try was awarded and the teams were level with another conversion missed.

Now it was Kettering's turn to up the tempo and power and the forwards did a great job in grinding a rolling maul up towards the Tows line. Although the maul went down the ball was taken on and dotted down for a close range score - scored by ?? (help me somebody I was too busy hyperventilating). Henri added the conversion and now Kettering had some breathing space.

However Towcester refused to lie down and it was only some superb last gasp tackling by Cam that stopped several line breaks that threatened to get them back into the game. Towcester continued to put pressure on and with 5 minutes left Kettering were relieved to be awarded a free kick at the line out just outside their own 22 after some valiant defending. Ignoring calls to play safe and go for touch Robbie sent a long kick deep into Tows territory. It bounced awkwardly and an excellent chase by Alex K and Robbie put the 10 under pressure and resulted in a charge down turn over for Kettering. With attackers arriving at speed the defence was being stressed and Kettering spread the ball wide to Henri who sped around the attempted tackles to score an excellent opportunistic try. If ever a try was a hallmark of positive and attacking rugby played at pace then this was it.

The whistle blew to signal the end of a titanic encounter and a 22-10 win for Kettering and a second League title.

Hats off to Towcester who pushed us every inch of the way. You have a fine team and forced us to dig very deep to get the win.

Congratulations to the whole Kettering playing squad - you've done yourselves proud and are a tribute to your desire to play exciting, attacking rugby. Thanks to our coaching team - Jon, Bill, Matt and Mirin and to the support we have received from our parents and from the whole club.

Just the Cup Final against ONs on the 13th March now....no pressure...after all it's not the 6 nations....just a game of children's rugby.