Long Eaton vs. Kesteven (07/04/2018)

Kesteven were forced to travel to Derby RFC last Saturday to take on top of the table Long Eaton, having not had a game for 4 weeks given the inclement weather. The game being held on a 4G synthetic pitch due to Long Eaton’s ground being waterlogged.

Kesteven were under no illusions of the task that lay ahead, with Long Eaton’s team being made up of a majority of students from Nottingham Trent University. However, they started the game well really taking the game to the ‘hosts’ through strong running by Tom Webster and Chaz Pirie. Unfortunately it was Long Eaton who broke the deadlock, driving the ball over from a well worked line out, with a successful conversion adding an extra two points.

Kesteven, were not to be deterred and stuck to their game plan and managed to work an overlap on the right hand side through a break from Adam Draper; he managed to pick a perfectly timed pass to Jack Palin who finished superbly in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful.

Long Eaton came straight back at Kesteven and started making some headway through their swift backs, Kesteven’s first line of defence was breached several times but full back Tom Price was able to thwart Long Eaton extending their lead with a couple of excellent cover tackles. Long Eaton kept attacking and eventually forced their way under the posts from short range for another seven points. Once again though Kesteven did not let heads dropped and started piling on pressure in the Long Eaton 22, forcing the opposition to concede a number of penalties. Eventually Gavin Purvis powered over the line for K’s second score, converted by Tom Price.

Long Eaton were given a stern talking to from their coach following Kesteven’s second try and hit back again through their backs with 2 quick tries, both converted. However, Kesteven finished the half on top with man of the match Adam Draper sniping over from a quick tap penalty. Kesteven trailed 28-17 at half time.

The second half began in rapid fashion, and following play breaking up Long Eaton capitalised as the ball squirted out of a ruck and fell straight to their winger who crossed the try line unopposed. The 4G pitch really started to play into the hands of Long Eaton who were able to move the ball out to their backs with ease and they manged to run in two further scores which took the game away from Kesteven.

Oli Hughes then made a welcome return to first team action replacing the injured Palin and Chris Warden and James Bennett also came on following a string of good performances for the second team.

Kesteven knew a try scoring bonus was in sight, which could prove pivotal at the end of the season and they dusted themselves off and began working their way up field with some excellent tactical kicking from fly half Will Brewis. Kesteven were then awarded a scrum 5 metres out and despite being out on his feet number 8 Tom Webster picked the ball up form the base of the scum and bullocked over to secure the bonus point for the black army, finishing the score with his trademark ‘charging bull’ celebration. Adam Draper added the extras.

The fitness of the younger opposition really started to tell in the closing 10 minutes with Long Eaton again working the ball to their wingers who each ran in a try a piece bringing the final score to Long Eaton 59 24 Kesteven.

The black army host Mansfield at Woodnook this coming Saturday, where the club are hosting their reunion day. Entry is free and all support is welcome.

TEAM:- Pert, Sheardown, Purvis, Webster S, Webster T, Armstrong, Pirie, Draper, Brewis, Jordan, Windsor, Cox, Palin, Price, Warden, Hughes, Bennett