Kettering U14s unbeaten in the league travel to Bedford to face the only other unbeaten side in the East Midlands Premiership. Whilst the ground conditions looked good, gale force winds gusted down the pitch.

Kettering started with the wind behind them, but Bedford made early inroads into the visitors territory using their big forwards to gain ground. Bedford soon found a sniff of the Kettering line as their huge number 2 charged through only for us to force a knock-on.

The Blues cleared their lines well and took the game back to Bedford. The Blues seemed to spend an eternity in the Bedford 22 knocking on the door but finding no way through. A great break by the backs put Kettering over the line in what many thought was the opening score, but it was ruled as held up.

Kettering won the resulting scrum and the Blues charged for the line only again to be held up by the Bedford pack. Bedford were on the ropes but despite phase after phase of rugby the Kettering boys couldn't break a very organized and committed defence up front, whilst the swirling wind was hampering the backs once the ball came wide.

Half Time 0-0.

Bedford with the wind behind them now had the advantage. Despite the Kettering scrum and line out being in safe hands, we had to work very hard to make any ground with the wind continuing to punish all but short passes.

The home side clearly sensed they had the momentum but the Blues defence would not yield and just when Bedford looked at their most dangerous we managed to turn over the ball and got ourselves out of danger.

With 10 minutes to go both sides would have taken a draw. Only a moment of brilliance or luck would be the deciding factor. Bedford broke along the touchline only to spill the ball in the tackle. Kettering new boy Theo Boreman saw his chance, picked up the ball and accelerated down the line. Half the pitch to run and three quick Bedford boys in chase, but no one was going to catch him in a race to the line. Kettering 5-0 with a missed conversion into the wind.

With time running out could Bedford respond. Unfortunately for the Blues they did, moving the ball well from one side of the pitch to the other quickly to just find space in the corner to level the scores. Conversion missed. Kettering 5-5 Bedford.

Bedford then executed a well taken inside ball and found a bit of luck as they just managed to keep on their feet through the cover tackle and raced clear under the posts. An easy conversion saw Kettering down 5-12 with only minutes to go.

Despite digging deep and pushing Bedford to the limit, our boys just ran out of time as the final whistle gave Bedford the top of the table.

It could have gone either way in the last 10 minutes with both teams putting in 100% across all 15 positions. Well done to Bedford, let's hope we meet them again in some better weather conditions later in the season.

Henry Codling takes the TXM recruit player of the week for stealing back countless balls at the breakdown.