It was a good day in the sunshine for Kettering U14s as they opened their League campaign at home with a win against Bugbrooke. However despite the eventual score the number of Kettering errors - both forced and unforced - reflected that there is still work to do before coaches and players will be 100% happy. Deserved credit must go to Bugbrooke who were well organised in defence, strong in the tackle and breakdown and dangerous in attack.

From the kick-off Kettering applied early pressure in the Bugbrooke 22 with Josh Owen making a good break on the left wing. From the resulting ruck the ball was fed to Louis Childs who made inroads into the visitor's defence. The ball was recycled to Cameron Sharpe who joined the line at pace and broke through the defence to score next to the posts; the try was converted by Henri Stiles.

However any thoughts of more tries were soon thwarted as Bugbrooke's excellent defensive line forced errors from Kettering in contact with several knock-ons,dropped passes and turnovers. Bugbrooke were able to take the ball up strongly and only an excellent cover tackle by Jamie Redden stopped a promising attack from developing into a try threat. Both teams were locked in an arm wrestle for the next fifteen minutes before vigorous work in the tackle saw Chris Owen rip the ball and send the back line away where Jamie Redden cut in on a great line to wrong foot the defence and score a try which went unconverted.

From the kick off Kettering attacked again but still found it difficult to keep up their continuity giving away penalties when in promising positions. Just before half-time the pack's work on the scrummaging machine paid dividends winning a ball against the head allowing Chris to pick up from the back of the scrum and charge into Badgers territory. He was eventually felled by a scything tackle but quick work at the ruck by Jamie saw Ed Drake-Lee put into space where he cruised over the line for a try , which was converted by Cameron.

The second half saw Bugbrooke start brightly and put pressure on the Kettering scrum - resulting in a free kick which was taken quickly and resulted in a Bugbrooke penalty after one of their players was tackled without the ball. Again Bugbrooke reacted quickly, catching Kettering's defence on the back foot and sending the ball along the line for a sweeping try in the left corner, which went unconverted.

From the kick off Kettering reacted well and won a scrum on the opposition 10 metre line. The ball was won and Josh Langley put Hayden Bennett through on the crash ball. He was supported by Jess Clements who timed his support run well to cut inside and score a try by the posts - which Cameron converted.

And soon Kettering had scored again - after a penalty against Bugbrooke Joe Izzard set the backs in motion to release Hayden again for a scorching run through two tackles and to the line. This time Cameron was unlucky to see his conversion rebound off the post.

However Bugbrooke were not ready to roll over and they kept possession well to put the Kettering try line under siege for the next five minutes with several excellent pick and go moves. The home team had to make some last ditch tackles to prevent a score and excellent work again by Jamie and Jess and the pack ensured the try line was kept intact.

After surviving the onslaught Kettering took the game back into the Bugbrooke half and won a penalty on the away 22. This time keeping things simple the backs moved the ball wide at speed before Jess scored his second try - showing a strong hand off to touch down on the right of the posts - which Cameron couldn't convert.

There was still time for another Kettering attack - this time Ed Drake-Lee turned the Bugbrooke defence with a good kick through which resulted in a penalty against Bugbrooke . A quick tap from Tasker Stables gave Cameron Sharpe space to beat two defenders and score his second try which he also converted.

Forwards Men of the Match
CHRIS OWEN
JAMIE REDDEN

Backs Man of the Match
CAMERON SHARPE