KRUFC

Market Harborough 40 – 10 Kempston 17^th November 2007

This was one of the biggest days in Kempston rugby clubs history, Midlands South 6 vs Midlands South 5 which would show a true test of grit and determination and to play against the top of the league above was a measure of where we are now and where we need to be in a years time based on gaining promotion to the league above.

Preparation for the game was hampered due to late fitness tests being failed by Tim Argent and James Bayliss with groin strain and hamstring injuries respectively coupled with the traffic forcing Adam May onto the bench made for an experimental back line with Wayne Botha, Dan Stones, Paul Leggott making the three quarter line John Gest receiving a promotion to the starting line up on the wing and Jim “Smudger” Smith at Fullback. We kicked off to Market Harborough and they took clean ball and opted to punt for the line through their Number 10. After flirts with ball in hand from both sides, it was obvious that Harborough were a re well drilled outfit and in turnover possession there plan was to spread the ball as wide as possible and in attack they had backrow moves and runners off the first couple of phases and crash ball from the centre on the first backs move and then spread wide to the pacey winger and fullback who were a menace each time we gave them space to run with ball in hand. Kempston went down 19 – 0 in 10 minutes of the first half which maybe down to lack of match time in the back line. K’s gained some possession but then was hit with two further converted scores after 25 minutes from the fullback and the wing, 33 – 0 and we hadn’t probed their 22 yet. On around 20 minutes K’s started to win more possession and turn it into territory with heads never as so much going down at any point. After 6 phases K’s broke the line through Wayne Botha who converted his own try under the posts 33 – 7, halftime. With self-belief on all 18 members of the side, K’s took the challenge to Market Harborough and through pick and drives and crash balls through Wayne Botha, Dan Stones and Andrew Stock K’s camped into their 22 and we came away from there with a Wayne Botha penalty and the score was 33 – 10. Again phases of picking and driving and crash balls we got into the 22 again and the referee awarded a penalty to us for Market Harborough note releasing the ball, unfortunately the penalty drifted wide to the right. The last score of the game came from Market Harborough with the No 10 kicking over and the blind side winger collecting a very favourable bounce to scoot under the posts to leave the final score 40 – 10.

Our forwards fronted up well to the Market Harborough pack and were often out weighed but not out muscled. The backrow combination of Terry Stokes, Tony Mayne, Richard Lovesy and Dave Gawn were all on the pace and in the thick of the breakdown action, Andrew Stock and Richard Dell for there giant performances in the boiler house and the front row combination of Will White, Jamie Steel, Jon Nicholls and Jim Barry who only got pushed on a handful of occasions in the high amount of scrums. Will Whites picking of driving has really grown in ability over the past weeks. Craig and Wayne could be a half back paring to practice with in future fixtures. The centre pairing of Paul Leggott and Dan Stones is also a partnership that needs more game time for future development as does the Adam May/ Dan Stones partnership. Although Adam was late due to traffic, he did give it his all for the 25 minutes he played and hopefully he has a few good games left in him before he leaves to go join his Girlfriend in Manchester. The back three of Stuart, John G and Smudger should be one to benefit from game time as well before the Christmas break.

K’s did let some tries in that were uncharacteristic to the fashion they defend in and although points were registered by Market Harborough Make no mistake about it as a club we can only play the best team available and take no credit away from the rugby played by Market Harborough as they played well and reacted faster in break down situations, credit to the leadership and youth of Market Harborough and it would be a good test of where K’s are for the 2008/09 preseason to play Market Harborough for a measure of where we are at once both have secured promotion this season if based on performances to date.