Round 2 of the East Midlands league and a huge game for both Olney and Kettering as last year's East Midlands Cup finalists meet for the first time this season.

Yet another glorious sun soaked morning greeted all and with a crowd gathering both teams took to the Kettering 1st team pitch for the 11am Kick off.

The last encounter of the two sides was a very hard game for both teams, so all knew it would be a tight and competitive game. The Blues opted to start the proceedings with a sky rocket of a kick from Tommy Sims. The Kettering boys rained down on the players and battle had commenced.

Kettering saw much of the territory in the early exchanges with Olney unable find an exit route from their own half. Each breakdown was a fiercely contested with both teams playing of the edge of legalities. The Blues however had the better of Olney in the scrum and our line out was in good hands with Aaron Clifford causing all sorts of problems for the visitors. An Olney scrum on their 5m line, gave Kettering their first sniff of a try with the Olney 9 and 10 panicking with the ball under pressure from Tom Church, who was deemed to have knocked it on diving for the loose ball.

The Olney 22 drop out delivered an unlucky bounce which Olney capitalised on, with a huge break out down the line followed by a cut back inside before James Smith and Cale Clements hawled them down in our own 22. Olney had their first sniff of some points, but Kettering defended with guts and speed, with both Henri Codling, Aaron Clifford and Joe Steele driving the ball back up to half way.

Olney however were awarded a penalty and their kick again found a horrible bounce which the Blues managed to get just get into touch.
Aaron Clifford secured the ball yet again at the line out, but rather than clearing their lines the boys in Blue ran it back. Adam to Tommy Sims who rode the first 2 tackles, outside to Lucas who drew his opposite number and sent Tom Lane clear for a race from half way to the line. Under the posts try from Tom Lane, what a score! Tommy Sims made no mistake with the conversion. Kettering 7-0.

Olney, however where in no mood to go in at half time pointless and soon found themselves back in the Kettering half winning a penalty well within kicking range. Some indecision ultimately lead them to attempt the 3 point kick. The poorly struck kick however fell well short allowing Kettering plenty of time to clear their lines and go in at half time in the lead.

Kettering had the territory and procession to stay on top of the game but they had to keep playing at their best. The second half saw more huge hits come in from the Blues, with Longshall, Tommy Sims and Will Watters stopping the Olney players in their tracks time after time. Cale Clements, James Smith and Tom Lane, just refused to let the Olney pace out wide get the better of them. Only the speed and constant missed off side infringement from Olney, prevented Kettering from gaining momentum in the backs.

Patience however is a virtue. The Kettering forwards soon found Olney wanting and won a penalty on the Olney 22. Could the resolute Olney defence stop Joe Steele at full pace? One, two, three tackles broken or handed off in a display of power and confidence saw him break the Olney defence, before he ensured the ball was grounded under the posts. Tommy Sims at the top of his game sent the ball practically into the clubhouse. Kettering 14-0.

What shortly followed was some rugby of the highest quality, after a well won Kettering scrum, Adam took on the heat of the Olney back line sending them one way with a dummy and sidestepping the opposing 10, he was through in a clean break of the line, how far could he make it before being stopped, 5, 10 no 25 metres before the full back caught him only for Tom Church to be in support who them found Tommy Sims powering through on the outside and over the line and under the posts again! Tommy made sure it was 3 out of 3. Kettering 21-0.

Olney looked dazed and with a little over 8 minutes left surely the game was Kettering's? However never underestimate a wounded and battered team even if they do wear pink tops. The visitor's did not want to go home with no points on the board and with another deep kick over the advancing Blues, Kettering found themselves isolated against Olney's fast chasers.

Some frantic and brutal ricking proceeded with Kettering penalised for holding on. Olney poured forward from the tap and go, but the Kettering boys stood fast ,repelling wave after wave of pick and drives, before Olney finally found the smallest of gaps and the momentum to get some points on the board. Kettering 21-5.

Another kick and chase from Olney, found Kettering deep in their 22, however this time Cale Clements had time to clear with a great kick, which found the majority of the Blues players off-side watching a hanging kick. A momentary lapse in concentration or just over enthusiasm from the a Blue forward who opted to catch the kick.....

Back for an Olney penalty deep in our 22, time for Kettering to man the barricades once again. The Blues defence continued to put heads, bodies and hands where others would not venture as Olney went left, then right with a combination of pick and drives and pace from their backs. Would the Blues hold out, even though the game was theirs? Not on this occasion as Olney were deemed to have found the try line in the dying seconds of the game. Final score Kettering 21 - 10 Olney.

The Blues showed some individual and team moments of brilliance today, but none of this is possible without the hard work of some unsung heroes in the team. Joe Gowen, Ollie Roberts and Charlie King for their power in the front row and at the break down. Nor should we over look the boys who waited on the bench eager to play or the players who come down and get involved in the warm-up and cheer from the sidelines.

So many players in contention for the TXM Recruit player of the week. Congratulations to Aaron Clifford who towered in the line out and made a huge metre gain on the day through the heart of a very tough defence.