Team Effort Delivers Shield Success for Under 9s at Stamford Festival

With several late drop outs, a slightly depleted under 9s contingent travelled to Stamford fully intent on continuing their current winning run. The reduction from 22 to 16 travelling players meant they were forced to withdraw from entering two teams, however this did mean that, in what proved to be an extremely full and hot day, they were able to focus resources on one objective and regularly rotate the squad with all 16 players getting plenty of game time.

First up in the league phase were Stamford Lions with the result going the same way as the previous encounter last week and Kettering running out convincing 5-1 winners with tries from Luke Harley , Matthew Tilley x 2, Rory Ward , and Evan Downhill

A much sterner test followed in the second match with Kettering suffering their only reverse of the day being well beaten by a skilful and well drilled Kesteven team who were not flattered by the 3-0 scoreline.

With the pressure now on if they were to qualify for the Shield final, the Kettering boys responded magnificently with Peterborough Lions receiving the backlash. Kettering ran out 6-1 winners in a one sided affair with tries by Alfie Castley , Alistair Coleman , Ollie Coles , Eli Cox , Hubert Jones , and a fantastic individual effort from Aiden Jones for his first competitive try.

The final league encounter was against Lincoln, and keen to ensure they finished the job, Kettering maintained their high standards to run out 3-0 winners with tries from Mackenzie Colson , and second tries of the day for Eli Cox , and Aiden Jones

With Kesteven progressing as league winners, to play against Nottingham in the Cup Final, Kettering faced Stamford Tigers in the Shield final. Would the Tigers bite back to gain revenge for their defeat last week at Welford Road, and to avenge their Lions getting savaged by Kettering in the earlier rounds?

The answer was no. In an extremely close and well contested final, Kettering were always the slightly stronger team although Stamford fought hard to stop them driving home their advantage. Choosing to play up the steep slope in the first half, Kettering were in the ascendency for much of the period and almost scored a try in the corner through Hubert Jones just before half time, with the ball just being dislodged from his hand as he was driven over the line by his team mates.

With the half remaining scoreless the teams turned round giving the advantage of the slope now to Kettering. They duly made the advantage pay. Good rucking and ball retention allowed Eli Cox to make a clean break through the Stamford line and with no defender in sight he placed the ball down over the whitewash – unfortunately though it wasn’t the try line, as the football markings across the pitch were understandably causing confusion. However the referee very fairly restarted the game with a Kettering attacking scum from which Matthew Tilley at scrum half made a dart for the line with his team mates converging behind to maul him over the line and to secure the deciding score.

Stamford heads didn’t drop and they did not give up easily. Some stout defending was required from the Kettering boys to make sure they kept their line intact.

At the final whistle there were scenes of jubilation and much back slapping from players, coaches and parents alike. With 10 players missing from the squad this really was a team effort from all those who travelled and to complete the job they collected their medals together with Man of the Tournament Aiden Jones , deservedly leading the team up.