Kettering travelled over the M1 to an autumnal Mens Own ground for their first game in the cup this season. Injuries to several players meant that the whole squad were called into starting action in the hunt to add some silverware to the Waverley Road trophy cabinet.

Both teams sparred evenly for the first five minutes of the game - attempting to find weak links in each others defences - without being able to make a breakthrough. Cold hands and a slippery ball were to blame for some early knock-ons from both sides as they fought to win territory and clean possession.

From a break on the left Kettering won good ruck ball on the Mens Own 22 -with Dan Harley and Jess Clements giving Will, making his debut at scrum half - space to feed George York. He drew his man and gave Ed Drake-Lee time to line up and beat his man before being tackled near the line - however Ed showed great strength to keep driving for the line under 2 determined tackles and scored the first try to the right of the posts. Josh Owen stepped up for kicking duties and despite missing the conversion showed unique footwork in a run-up that will live long in the memory - go Disco Josh.

Kettering now enjoyed good possession with Alex King dominant in the line-out and making a strong run before offloading to Hayden Bennett who was unfortunate to knock on to give Mens Own put in at a defensive scrum. Both sides were penalised before Kettering's forwards won good set piece ball from a scrum with Chris Owen picking up and driving on into the opposition 22. Effective work at the ruck from Ben and Louis in particular- but much improved body positions and aggression from all compared to last week - set Jess Clements on the break and he fed Ed Drake-Lee who was supporting well to break through the Mens Own defence and score his second try of the game, which Josh was unable to convert.

From the kick-off Mens Own scrummaged strongly and won several good balls which they used to break into Kettering territory. However Kettering were competing strongly in the loose and from a turnover ball Chris Owen set Hayden on a slashing attacking run with a great pass from the base of a ruck inside the Mens Own half. It took a brilliant tackle from the Mens Own full back to halt Hayden and force a knock on. Several reset scrums and penalties followed before Mens Own won a line out on half way. Their thrower missed his target however and Chris leapt high to steal the ball and set the backs in motion. From the breakdown Chris popped up with a trademark rampage to score the third try despite the full back bravely putting his body on the line to no avail .

There was still time in the half for Hayden to make a break towards the Mens Own line - where the defenders worked well to hold him up and prevent a try. However the referee penalised them for not releasing and Ed showed great speed of thought to take a quick tap and send an accurate cross kick towards Josh who gathered an awkward bounce and crossed the line for a try - this time converted by Ed.

HALF TIME MENS OWN CASUALS 0 - KETTERING 22

Kettering made several changes at the start of the second half and continued to pressure the Mens Own line. Mens Own won a good scrum near their 22 and sent the ball along their line - however Kettering's backs showed great speed to close them down and when they lost the ball Hayden gathered and ran through a gap to score a try to the right of the posts which Ed converted.

Tom Parkes took a high kick off well and from the resulting ruck Kettering won a penalty that was quickly tapped by Chris and taken on powerfully into the opposition half. Kettering were awarded a scrum and Chris picked up from the back to cross the line unopposed as the defence hesitated - the try was converted by Ed.

From the kick off Jamie Redden made a great catch and drive - feeding Dom Ferreira and two phases later Josh Owen was put into space before being well tackled into touch. Kettering made further changes but Mens Own showed great spirit to rally and despite the scoreline they showed immense resolve to disrupt Kettering and win good ball to launch their own attacks into the Kettering half. Errors were now creeping into Kettering's play as they were denied space and time and the hadnling errors started mounting. Mens Own launched themselves at the Kettering line winning several penalties as Kettering failed to retreat the full 10 metres. It seemed that the pressure Mens Own were generating was going to lead to a try as one of their big runners charged into the 22. But like the Grim Reaper up stepped Jess Clements and showing excellent technique scythed his man down with a crashing tackle and gave his team the turnover. Ed relieved the pressure with a smart clearing kick and the threat was over.

Mens Own weren't done though and made a good break from their own half before kicking deep to touch into the Kettering 22. The clock was ticking down but Kettering now showed great stamina and concentration to launch the move of the game. Winning the line out the forwards took the ball on through multiple phases, with Freddie Ward and Nathan to the fore, picking and driving, then offloading and linking with the backs (with no knock ons!!) this time to cover the length of the pitch. Dan Harley showed his excellent support play to take the final pass and score the try - but the whole team could take the credit for giving 100% all the way to the final whistle. The try was unconverted and was the last play of the game.

Another strong performance from Kettering - but all the more creditable with several players missing through injury. Mens Own gave a great account of themselves and were unfortunate not to get on the score board. They showed formidable power in the scrum and tackled well throughout the game - limiting the amount of time and space that Kettering had to exploit the ball.

Thanks to Mens Own Casuals for your generous hospitality and best of luck for the rest of your season.

FINAL SCORE MENS OWN CASUALS 0 - KETTERING 41

KETTERING

Man of the Match - Forwards - Freddie Ward. Backs - Ed Drake-Lee

TRY SCORERS

DRAKE-LEE x 2
CHRIS OWEN x 2
JOSH OWEN
HAYDEN BENNETT
DAN HARLEY

CONVERSIONS
DRAKE-LEE x 3