After many phone calls, dozens of emails and some serious re-arranging by all, the postponed cup quarter final between Kettering and Huntingdon was to be played on the rugby 3G at Tresham College.

The pre-Xmas game with Huntingdon in the mud and rain meant Kettering approached this game with the utmost respect for Stags. Huntingdon are knocking on the door of a big win, we needed to raise our game to keep ourselves in the cup.

Both sides approached the game with much trepidation, with neither side having played on a 3G pitch before. How quickly could each adapt on the day and what sort of game would unfold?

Huntington started the proceedings as a large crowd of parents roared on each team. The 3G pitch leant itself to a fast free flowing game which Kettering adopted from the off. Whilst we struggled at the breakdown in the mud we were now competing well against Stags powerful back line, which allowed us to spin the ball out to the backs quickly. Swift hands and strong running from the centres had Kettering on the front foot. A few high kick and chases thrown in and Kettering continually threatened.

Momentum was building and Tommy Sims soon crashed through to open the score adding a huge conversion on top. Kettering 7-0.

The Blues continued to play at pace out wide, keeping the ball alive in the tackle and pinning Huntingdon in their own half with more well placed kicks. Our scrum was back on form and holding strong, which resulted in more quick ball to send Tommy Sims over for his second try and conversion. Kettering 14-0.

Confidence was growing in the Blue shirts whilst Stags struggled to run the ball out of their own half as the Kettering rush defence continually closed them down and denied them space to move the ball.

With the Blues in ascendancy deep in the Huntingdon 22 Adam Mclean saw his chance to take the ball inside and twisted and turned his way over to take the score to Kettering 21-0 with another superb conversion from Tommy Sims.

Having battered the Stags continually with his strong running, Longshall finally crashed his way over to put Kettering into a commanding lead of 28-0 as half time loomed.

Could Stags find a way back in the 2nd half? A far more even match started to unfold with some powerful runs from Huntingdon. The Blues defence held strong but we were being drawn into a battle of the back rows, which from our earlier league encounter we knew Stags excel at.

Kettering missed a number of chances to get the ball out wide as we had in the first half and thus allowed Huntingdon to start to get a hold in the game. A well worked rolling maul from close range saw Stags determination eventually pay off with a try and well taken conversion. Kettering 28-7 Huntingdon.

In the closing minutes Kettering returned to offloading the ball and shifted it wide at pace which brought both territory and opportunities, however time was running out and just as we looked dangerous once more, the final whistle blew.

Kettering were back at their best especially in the 1st half, with the forwards arriving at the breakdown both at pace and in numbers, allowing us to secure quick ball and give the backs space and time to get the centres moving and the wings chasing quality kicks. It was how we wanted to play and it reaped huge rewards.

Full credit to Huntingdon who upped their game in the second half and had the belief to keep going to the very end. We wish them well for the rest of the season and look forwards to seeing them take a well deserved win over quality opposition in the near future.

Finally was 3G a success? The Blues certainly shone on it, would we play on it again, yes please!