Report by Matthew Rutherford - KRFC Under 12s Chief Rugby Correspondent

Match number 1, on a sloping pitch, saw Kettering Whites tackle Sleaford. Playing downhill Sleaford seemed more up for the fight, dominating Kettering in the opening minutes and winning the ball in the rucks and mauls. Despite their ball time however they were failing to make good yards and a strong front row of Mackenzie Colson , HP McCardie, Rory Ward, Kean McCabe and Alfie Castley pushed the opposition back despite their possession.

A needed growth in confidence soon had Kettering seeing some success in the rucks and taking the fight to Sleaford. A well contested scrum in the centre of the field released Rory Ward whose aggressive running saw him sweep 3 or 4 Seaford backs aside to score the opening try, 1-0 to Kettering. Sleaford weren’t to be underestimated however and soon came back with a dinky run from their number 10, evading weak Kettering tackles, leveled the match at 1-1.
Kettering kept their heads up however and an excellent clearance kick by Stanley Kirk, fumbled in the corner by Sleaford’s Right Wing, saw Rory Ward take full advantage. His aggressive chasing down of the ball, supported by Mackenzie Colson , allowed him to score his second try of the day.
The second half line-up saw Lowri Griffiths, who had performed solidly on the Right Wing give way to Elliott Cowling. Birthday boy Eli Cox moved from the Right Wing to Centre and Luke Harley came to the field to relieve new boy Mitchell Priestly, who had done an excellent job as prop.
Kettering started the second half just as they finished the first, taking the fight to Sleaford and dominating the rucks and mauls. Eli Cox was aggressive in attack and a direct sprint for the line saw him beat the Sleaford back line to score a great solo try. His aggressive play continued and another display of strong running, taking out most of the Sleaford team, set up Rory Ward to score a well-deserved hat-trick.
4-1 to Kettering the final score and a strong win for this half of the Kettering contingent.

Match number 2, also on a sloping pitch, saw Kettering Whites take on the home side Stamford. A full strength Stamford had built on their reputation of an expansive side, who like to pass the ball, by beating Kettering’s other half in their previous match 1-0. Stamford’s passing play was sure to put Kettering’s wingers under pressure and threatened to be a baptism of fire for new boys Elliott Cowling and Ben Bailey. Both proved well up for the challenge however, competently keeping the Stamford attack at bay.

Playing up hill Stamford brought the attack to Kettering, but a turnover followed by excellent interchange amongst the backs, saw Kettering fractionally being denied an opening try. Matthew Tilley only just being forced into touch, just short of the Stamford try line.
The second half saw Eli Cox move into the fullback position and continue to enjoy an excellent day’s rugby with some great takes. Having to play up hill didn’t trouble the Kettering attack and some charging runs by Kean McCabe were only just denied by a strong tackling Stamford Full Back. Their man of the match I’m sure!

The score remained 0-0 to the finish, a fair result and one to be proud of considering the number of new faces in the side.