Kesteven gift Oakham the game in the last 10

Conditions were excellent for the time of year with a calm and bright January afternoon - a welcome break from the winds and rain of late. A few last minute unavailability's for the match meant that Kesteven travelled to Oakham with only 17 men and Mark Dent made his 2013/14 league debut for the 1st XV.

Kesteven started the game strongly and much of the 1st 20 minutes were spent in the middle of the field with Oakham having to work hard in defence. A good deal of promise was shown from the Black Army with some very well worked phases of play but despite this, the team were not able to convert the pressure into points.

The final 20 minutes of the 1st half saw Oakham on the attack with some well worked phases of their own. Oakham managed to break a Kesteven tackle and found themselves with an overlap which they ran in for a try and a few minutes later the home side again found themselves with an overlap resulting in their 2nd try. The 1st half finished 10-0 to Oakham.

During half time, Kesteven regrouped and began the 2nd half with all guns blazing. The forwards carried the ball forward securing good territory through several phases of play. With an overlap advantage, the ball went through the hands of the K's back line and Aaron Whitaker was able to secure Kesteven's 1st try out wide.

Kesteven's 2nd try came through sheer slog in the forwards who made a good number of yards and it wasn't long before Kesteven arrived at the Oakham 5m line. Olly Wood was able to feed James Cowley from the breakdown and the young prop crashed through the Oakham forwards and over the try line to level the scores at 10-10. Kesteven continued their attack from the restart but an unfortunate knock on denied Phil Jordan of a try.

The last 15 minutes of the half saw Kesteven noticeably take their foot off of the gas and Oakham were able to capitalise. A clever kick through from the Oakham scrum half saw the winger gather the ball and touch down out wide with 9 minutes to go.

In the last minute of the game a breakdown in communication within the Kesteven side allowed Oakham to turn the ball over and their flanker ran in their 4th try which was successfully converted. The game finished at 22-10 to Oakham but the scoreline was perhaps not a fair reflection of the match itself and Kesteven slip to 2nd from bottom in the league table.

A number of Kesteven players stood out on the day but man of the match went to Daniel Turner.

Team: Rob Sheardown, Doug Hayward, James Cowley, Will Pert (Scott Odams 52), Martin Carew, Tom Webster, Mark Sayle (Jnr), Daniel Turner, Adam Draper (Mark Dent 52), Chris Galloway, Alex Ingram, James Goodrich, Phil Jordan, Aaron Whitaker, Olly Wood.

Coaches: Mark Sayle, Mally Turner, Ian Payne
Statistician: Nikki Turner
Photographs: Gavin Purvis