The autumn sunshine continues to grace Woodnook as Kesteven welcomed near neighbours Oakham for the first time for three years. The home team were expecting a touch encounter against a side who just failed to win promotion from this league last season.

Both sides started cagily with neither side able to create scoring chances. The home pack performed well in the set piece with the scrummage performing well. James Cowley made an impact in the front row and he was well supported by Robert Sheardown and Doug Hayward. Oakham had a very experience scrum half who put Olly Wood under pressure, fracturing the important link between the forwards and backs.

In the few attacks in the first half Alex Ingram showed up well on the wing while Will Cann put in some telling kicks. Just when it looked liked the first half would end scoreless Oakham some how manufactured a try with some slick passing and a cross kick which stretched to home defence, allowing their wing to score a try in the corner in the final few seconds of the first half.

The second half started well for the home team. Pressure on the visiting full back forced a clearing kick to touch on the 22. Hayward's throw found Turner and the ball was moved cleanly through hands to Bradley who straightened up and broke clean through to score at the posts. Harland added the goal points to put Kesteven into the lead. This should have settled the home team but they conceded a penalty shortly after the restart. This led to a line out on the five metre line and the Oakham pack secured the ball and squeezed in at the corner for a second try.

K's lead had lasted 2 minutes and this was to prove crucial as Oakham got hold of the game. They were able to add to their score with a penalty, but missed with two more chances. Despite this there was always the chance that the young Kesteven side would create one more chance and in the last five minutes they did work their way upfield. Sadly they were to be undone at the last. The ball ran loose and Oakham got possession. A speculative kick upfield was not cleared and the ball was hacked on for Oakham to run through and gather to score with the last move of the game. The conversion made the final score Kesteven 7 Oakham 20, this denying Kesteven even a losing bonus point. It was a disappointing end to a disappointing match.

Kesteven lacked lustre and will need to reevaluate their phase-play and improve discipline in the rucks for next weeks match against Spalding. The Kesteven forwards functioned exceptionally well in the set-pieces. James Cowley had a superb game. Rob Sheardown was voted Man of the Match.

Team: Rob Sheardown, Doug Hayward, James Cowley, Will Pert, Martin Carew, Tom Webster (c), Daniel Turner, Tony Woolerton, Olly Wood, Harry Martin, Aaron Whittaker, Will Cann, Will Bradley, Alex Ingram, Matt Harland; Replacements M Sayle, G Purvis, K Lines.