The Blues played at home for the first time in a while and were back up to a decent sized squad. Both Kettering and Market Harborough had squads of c22 players each.

Kettering still have a few boys out with injuries and we will welcome them back soon. Kettering had the luxury of multiple substitutes, to the point it took a bit of management (a nice problem to have!)

It was agreed to play 3 x 20 minutes. Luis Santos was today’s referee, a great coach and did a splendid job as game manager, always speaking with the boys from both teams and keeping an keen eye on the contact area. The game flowed really well as a consequence and considering the muddy conditions some fantastic open rugby was played from both sides.

The first third saw Market Harborough start with an absolute bang, scoring quickly two tries, going wide early and playing in the 15m channel. A brilliant start by them, now in recent weeks I think Kettering would have imploded and allowed an onslaught to continue. However, Kettering didn’t panic, took stock, realised where the scores were coming from and adapted. Kettering took hold of the ball and started to work their own attack, George scoring first and then Ben after a really well executed driving maul. This came as a bit of a surprise because I didn’t realised we’d practiced this! Luis and the coaching team had been working on this last Wednesday.

After the first break it was back to business, both sides scoring a try each, Kettering’s coming from Lewis after chasing a wonderful attacking kick from Thomas. The attacking kicking was going really well.

Into the last third and everything was all equal, Kettering were defending well, Mkt Hbo would have had several more tries but Kettering’s tackling was on top form today. Lots of pressure applied, tap tackles, jackaling for the ball all made the game very equal. Either side could have won today, both back lines had strike runners who could cause the opposition problems, however, I think it was Kettering’s forwards who got the edge today. The scrums were stronger than in previous weeks and in contact play we won a high % of our own ball. With the slight forward edge that was probably the overall difference.

Kettering scored the deciding score with a mazy run from Eashay to seal the deal!

A fantastic game this Sunday morning, the game was played by two teams with the highest of values and as such the game flowed and some nice rugby was played. A local derby game, played at high tempo, lots of physicality and with a mutual respect for each other. As always, the Mkt Hbo players and coaches were a great bunch and we look forward to playing each other again.