Kettering U14s were back into game action on Sunday after a couple of training weekends. This was the first full 15 aside game we played against Syston so another unknown for us.

The Kettering injury list is getting smaller as we start to see the return of injured players, albeit a good few weeks off maximum number availability. Due to the squad size on the day Kettering had to re-jig the starting line-up and played a lot of players out of their usual positions. Having only one recognised wide player meant forwards joining the back line and a bit of a shuffle around. We also kept fingers crossed that our one sub wouldn’t be required early on!

The Syston ground and facilities were really good, plenty of pitches and changing rooms and the kitchen served the meatiest bacon rolls. Having a bacon roll and warm drink inside prior to a game was a very civilised start to the morning!

Game time and the sides were pretty evenly balanced, Syston looking to play around the corner and from the midfield area. Kettering knowing they can adapt to how they play chose wider options to launch attacks from, considering we had only one back 3 player that might sound illogical but the boys scored a couple of time out wide! Lewis adapting from a back 5 player to a winger seamlessly and Logan doing his best to zig-zag his was to the touch line. Logan also very kindly decided to do the hard work of beating multiple defenders covering both sides of the pitch and then being super creative with his offloading to give a score to Josh (essentially, Logan decided to somehow squeeze the ball out of his own grasp and pop it backwards for the score). At half time Kettering went in a few points ahead.

Syston had some strong strike runners of their own and the two teams shared the scoring into the second half. Kettering’s defence was good today considering the positional changes coped well with what Syston threw at them.

Some highlights of the game:
*Wonderful cover tackle by Logan to prevent a certain score
*Another great cover tackle from Josh, working hard from a lineout to bring down a player for what looked like another certain score
*Dominant scrum throughout the game (strong body positions are working)
*Maintaining high % of our own ball in contact esp ruck (and adapting to the hard working Syston jackal)
*The Pick & Go in the last few minutes that gained a big chunk of territory (why didn’t we use it earlier?!)
*Match Official had a good game too, great to see young officials volunteering to ensure games take place.

As always, there will be coaching points, but let’s enjoy a really close game that ended with a single point difference. The last few minutes was nail biting stuff for spectators from both sides. Next week, we are at home to West Bridgford.