Sleaford vs. Kesteven (23/09/2017)

Kesteven made the short trip over to Sleaford for the first local derby of the season. The pitch looked to be in perfect condition for a good open game.

Kesteven were confident going into the match but quickly found themselves on the back foot. Sleaford won the ball in their own half. There did not look to be in any danger but their big centre straightened the line and found a gap which he exploited with a fine run which finished up under the bar for the opening try which was converted.

This did not phase the visitors and they set about playing sensible rugby through the forwards. Gavin Purvis led by example and won a penalty fifteen metres out. He took a quick tap and was stopped just short illegally. He opted for the scrum and Sleaford were guilty of preventing the try being scored giving the referee an easy decision to award a penalty try.

Sleaford repeated their early play with a try very similar to their first with another run through the middle and a further try at the posts. This also was converted and Kesteven’s task got even harder a couple of minutes later when James Cowley was given a yellow card for a late tackle. Sleaford made the extra man count with two more long range tries to open up a 28 points to 7 lead, earning an early bonus point.

To their credit Kesteven came back and finished the half strongly. Daniel Turner made a dart upfield and quick passing through Chris Galloway and Rob Windsor set Harry Cox on a run to the line. He feigned to come inside then veered out to score an impressive try. The conversion failed but just before the break Daniel Turner again was the provider in a move finished off by Jack Stokes. Galloway converted from far out to narrow the gap to 28 – 19 at half time.

Kesteven turned round full of confidence. They had the bulk of possession, but lacked the composure to turn that possession into points. Sleaford were forced into conceding a number of penalties and had two men in the sin bin. Even against 13 men Kesteven could not score until just before the end. They won a scrum close to the line and Mark Dent scored to earn a try bonus. The conversion brought them to within two points with two minutes left. There was to be no fairytale ending however as Sleaford were awarded a penalty which they converted to bring the final score to Sleaford 31, Kesteven 26. This was two bonus points earned but left a real sense of disappointment at an opportunity lost.

Team was: Rob Cooper, Jack Stokes, Rob Windsor, Dan Halliday, Harry Cox, Chris Galloway, Mark Dent, Will Pert, Robert Sheardown, Gavin Purvis, Charlie Pirie, James Cowley, Rob Cann, Richard Armstrong, Daniel Turner.

Replacements: Harvey Fuller, Andy Brown, Adam Draper.