A late change of venue saw Kettering venture to a wind swept hill in Uppingham to take on Stoneygate. As a Leicestershire County Cup Semi-Finalist they were not to be taken lightly. Due to half term, a trio of storms and injury the Blues arrived with a smaller team than usual. A brief warm up in the howling wind with no changing rooms or clubhouse for shelter and we were ready to go.

Stoneygate took the wind and the slope to start and quickly had us pinned back in our 22. Some big runners tested the Blues resolve early on and it didn't take them long to crash over to open the score. A wind assisted conversion went through the posts and into the next county. 7-0 to Stoneygate. Further pressure from the hosts caused us issues at the breakdown and the 'Gate' looked to have found a 2nd score only for the ball to be deemed to have been knocked on.

A change in tactics and focussed aggression at the breakdown then saw Kettering start to come back into the game. A penalty to the Blues allowed us to set up a line out in the oppositions 22. The resulting phases of play saw Kettering edge toward the score board. With the ball at the back of a ruck Fin, picked and went. Quite how he managed to bury under the entire Stoneygate pack to put the ball on the line was a true joy to watch. Unfortunately the conversion into the wind was always going to be a big ask. 7-5 to Stoneygate.

This gave Kettering confidence and some clever use of some well timed kicks started to see dividends. Each time the 'Gate' got into our half a committed defence saw us find the ball and the kick and chases had us pouring through the opposition defence. It was only a matter of time before a mistake from the red and whites would open them up. When it came Ash was on the end of it and burst over for the Blues to take the lead. Again the strong wind asked questions of the conversion and the score remained 7-10 to Kettering.

The hosts were rattled including their parents, a former Leicester Tigers player among them. Half time could not have come quick enough for them.

The 2nd half had Stoneygate bring on their better players. Bigger, stronger, faster, aggressive at the breakdown and with plenty of clever lines and well timed passes. 2 quick tries plus a conversion put them back into the lead. 19-10.

Had the hosts got the upper hand, would our heads drop? Had we the energy to keep going? HELL YES we did! A monumental defensive effort ensued, every Kettering turnover was celebrated as though we'd won the game. More cleaver clearing kicks and committed chases of a bouncing ball in the wind must come good, and it did. Ash plucked the ball out the air and had a free run to the posts. Their 15 was closing who would win the race, score or try saving tackle? Ash slowed, committed the 15 to the tackle and popped the ball to Zacch who flew under the posts to score. Our turn to put a conversion into the next county. 19-17 to Stoneygate.

The next 10 minutes was best described as trench war fare with neither side willing to back down at the breakdown or in the tackle. Both sides could have stolen the plaudits with a game winning score but squandered a couple of chances each. Final score 19-17 to Stoneygate.

Best game the home parents had watched all season was heard. Certainly the best defensive effort and game management Kettering have shown all season. A great mornings rugby, I hope those who watched enjoyed it as much as the boys who played did even though we lost.