The U14s welcomed Nottingham Corsairs who kindly travelled to Waverley Road for the match. The Corsairs were without several players due to injury and Kettering loaned a couple of their team to make up their numbers and ensure an evenly matched game.

After a well observed minutes silence to remember the sacrifice of others on Remembrance Sunday, the two teams faced up with Kettering playing the first half with the sun behind their backs. For the first time the whole game was recorded professionally on video - so if you don't recognise the match from reading the report you can always watch the whole thing on DVD!

The first five minutes were keenly contested as both teams exchanged possession and made efforts to gain territory - without breaking out of the 10 metre lines either side of half-way. From a Kettering attack the Nottingham defence made a clearing kick to relieve the pressure - however the kick fell straight to Josh Owen in space some 40 metres out from the line. Josh was able to gather the ball and despite slipping he made a strong run outside the covering defence to score a try in the right hand corner. Ed Drake-Lee was unable to convert from a difficult angle.

From the kick off Alex King made a good take and carried for 20 metres before being put into touch by excellent Nottingham tackling. The line out throw wasn't straight though and Kettering won a scrum. However Nottingham's forwards powerfully won the ball against the head and with the possession they kicked towards half-way. Once again the kick picked out a Kettering player in space - this time Cameron Sharpe took the ball just inside the Nottingham half and set off for the line at speed. He beat two tackles and then turned on the gas to outflank the defence and sprint all the way to the line for the second try - once again unconverted from out wide.

Nottingham were now fired up into responding and they built on some excellent counter rucking to gain good possession and roll on into the Kettering half. Their backs were put into space as Kettering were unable to halt their advance and some nifty handling put the inside centre into space where he broke several Kettering tackles to touch down under the posts for a try which was converted. Game on!

Both teams were now showing real intent to move the ball although at times Kettering were slow to the breakdown and Nottingham used their superior technique at the ruck to gain possession. But it wasn't long before Kettering moved the ball wide again and Chris Owen joined the line to charge through the defence and score a try which was unconverted.

HALF TIME - KETTERING 15 NOTTINGHAM 7

The second half saw Nottingham lose another player to injury and a third Kettering player joined their team.

Kettering now capitalised on their strength of the first half and concentrated on getting the ball out wide and away from a powerful Nottingham pack. An early backs move saw Josh Owen set free in space on the left and he seemed to be set to score before an exceptional tap tackle took him down short of the line. Tasker Stables moved the ball out wide from the resulting ruck and Harvey Lewis, making his debut, took the ball at speed to score under the posts for a converted try.

As Nottingham's depleted side started to tire Kettering continued to put width on the ball. Louis Childs took the ball up well from the kick -off before Tasker broke into space and Ed put Cameron away for another unconverted try.

Further tries followed for Josh Owen and Harvey Lewis but Nottingham continued to tackle furiously and compete with Kettering every step of the way. They put extended pressure on the Kettering line and forced a series of infringements when it looked inevitable that they would get over the line. However strong tackling from amongst others Jess Clements and Cameron Sharpe held back the green tide and from a great scrum against the head the forwards won back possession and Tasker set the backs on a run from deep. Hayden Bennett timed his run well to exploit space out wide and burn through the defence to score in the right corner - again unconverted from out wide.

There was just time left for Jamie Redden to score an excellent solo try - running the ball straight back from the kick-off to score a try under the posts which was converted by Ed.

FINAL SCORE - KETTERING 49 - NOTTINGHAM 7

A good performance by Kettering which would undoubtedly have been much closer against a full strength Nottingham side. The away teams excellent technique and team work at the breakdown repeatedly forced Kettering onto the back foot.Despite the mounting score Nottingham showed relentless commitment in the tackle and a desire to attack all the way to the final whistle.

Thanks to all the coaches, players and parents from the Corsairs for making the trip down to Kettering - we look forward to playing you again in Nottingham.