In weather conditions more like late summer than early winter Kettering U14s travelled to sunny Bedford to face a side they had not played against for several seasons.

After negotiating a muddy ditch to get to the pitch players and parents alike were delighted to hear of the pre-match appointment of Mr Harvey Childs as Director of Player Liquid Refreshment Logistics. Congratulations Harvey - nobody can hold water like you do!

Kettering attacked from the kick-off - with Josh running back the kick and Dom taking on the ball into the Bedford half. From the resulting maul the ball was recycled well and Hayden made a good run into space on the left before being bundled into touch. From the line out Bedford showed their intent to run strong and straight with the ball and made good ground into the Kettering half - helped by some indifferent tackling. In an effort to close down the Bedford line from the next maul Kettering were caught offside and Bedford kicked the resulting penalty with great accuracy from distance. 3-0.

Bedford knocked on as Kettering chased down their kick-off well but Kettering were penalised at the resulting scrum. Bedford kicked for touch and from the line out made ground into the Kettering half and up to the 22. Once again Kettering were penalised for offside at the ruck and Bedford kicked a good but slightly easier penalty. 6-0.

It was clear that Kettering needed to up their intensity and the players reacted well to work their way into the Bedford 22. They exerted intense pressure on the line but the home defence were able to robustly resist the persistent but narrow attacks for several phases. Just when it seemed that there would be no reward Ed opted to send the ball out wide where Josh Owen found space to attack the defenders and crashed over the line for a try to the wide right of the posts. Ed was unable to convert.6-5.

From the kick-off Bedford again made good progress against some lacklustre Kettering tackling - breaking into the Kettering 22 before being eventually forced into touch. From the line out disaster struck for the away side as a loose tap back from their throw landed in the in goal area. As the defenders watched the ball Bedford reacted quickest, taking advantage of the indecision and their back rower touched down for a simple try which was converted. 13-5.

Again Kettering reacted well and chased down their kick-off into the Bedford 22. Chris wrestled the ball from a Bedford player to win a turnover and Tasker quickly released Ed who found Jess joining the line at pace. Jess burst through to score to the right of the posts despite strong challenges from the defenders. Ed converted to add the extra points and the ref blew up for half time. 13-12.

Kettering made several changes at half-time and it was clear they were in for a challenging second half.

Cameron kicked off for the second half and Kettering made good progress up the middle before being awarded a penalty at the Bedford 10 metre line. Chris took the ball straight up the middle and the ball was recycled from a ruck through quick hands out wide to Dan who fed Cameron. He still had plenty to do but made his way over right in the far corner - carrying two defenders with him. The try was unconverted. 13-17.

Encouraged by their excellent start Kettering now needed to consolidate and focus on playing to their strengths - using width and pace to exploit space as their opponents tired. However Bedford now rallied and show real grit and determination to win a penalty from the kick off with good work at the breakdown where Kettering were judged to have held on to the ball too long. Fortunately for them the penalty was missed but it sounded a warning that there was more to come from Bedford.

From the drop out Bedford duly returned the ball over 50 metres into the Kettering half - with several tackles going astray - before Cam made the decisive intervention to stop the attack on the 5m line. Kettering won the scrum and Chris picked up and charged before offloading to Ed who sent a clearing kick down field. Josh chased on well and was just beaten to the ball by the Bedford defender who hacked to touch. However the territory advantage was lost as Kettering were penalised for a late tackle and Bedford once more ran the ball around and through tackles to lay siege to the Kettering line. From a 5m scrum Chris had no choice but to touch down under pressure behind the try line. Bedford exerted even more pressure and from a typically solid scrum, moved the ball wide where they touched down in the far right hand corner. The try was unconverted. 18-17.

It was now Bedford who were taking the upper hand, combatting Kettering's runs with hard and low tackles and greater commitment at the breakdown. Kettering were then penalised at a line out after confusion over numbers and Bedford took a quick tap and go to move the ball quickly to the right once more. Ketterings defence drifted across but was no match for the strong runner who touched down in the far right corner - again unconverted. 23-17.

Now Bedford had more momentum and before Kettering could recover they had conceded a scrum in the middle of the pitch near their 22. A simple pick up by the no 8 and drive saw them score their 4th try again to the right of the posts - and again unconverted. 28-17.

Despite the setback Kettering rallied well and showed fortitude to win the kick off competition and work the phases well to move into the Bedford 22. Joe set the backs off and they moved the ball quickly out to the right where Cam scored a carbon copy of his earlier try - finishing well under pressure. Ed was unable to convert from wide out. 28-22.

Now Kettering harboured a faint hope of rallying before the end - as the clock ticked down to full time. However Bedford demonstrated their match long strength in winning contact to claim the kick off and set up more pressure on the Kettering line. They attacked strongly but Kettering were resolute and held up the ball over the line. There wasn't time to restart and the referee blew for full time and a well deserved Bedford victory.

FULL TIME BEDFORD 28 - KETTERING 22.

Congratulations to Bedford for a vibrant display of running rugby - and some superb tackling and set piece play. Kettering will learn a lot from this game and whilst defeat is never welcome - there is plenty to learn, and build on, from a really competitive game like this.

Many thanks to Bedford for your generous hospitality (Mr Sharpe particularly recommends your well done bacon sandwiches) we look forward to playing you again soon.

PS - Following the game the Director of Player Liquid Refreshment Logistics has now officially retired his winning shorts until further notice.