Injuries to a number of key players saw some of Kesteven’s second XV step up to play 1st team rugby and a few players also played out of position – most notably Dan Turner, normally a stalwart in the back row for the away side but stepping into centre for this game. This decision would prove to be an inspirational one as Turner smashed through the Boston defence on a number of occasions throughout the afternoon and wreaked havoc in midfield.

The first points of the day came from some smart footwork from Ben Hall jinking his way through the Boston defence to offload to Turner who was held up under the posts. The Referee brought play back for a high tackle on Hall which led to a successful penalty kick from Kesteven fly half Ben Whinney. 0-3

The first try of the game was also the try of the day. Some great work at the back of the scrum from number 8 Tom Webster, cleverly offloading to scum half Adam Draper who then set Dan Turner off stampeding through the Boston Defence. Turner then passed the gauntlet over to Captain Rob Sheardown who after making some significant yards deep into the Boston half found Harry Norsworthy. The Kesteven number 7 timed a perfect pass to Fly half Whinney to cross the line and then convert his own try. 0-10

Boston then kicked into life and some good work at the breakdown resulted in a successfully converted penalty kick 3-10. Boston followed this up with their first try following some questionable Kesteven tackling which allowed Boston’s inside centre and scrum half to break the line and offload to their winger to score. The successful conversion took the score to 10-10 at the end of the first quarter.
Another Boston try followed with their Fly Half selling a classic dummy and then accelerating away to score. With the conversion missed, the score was now 15-10

Kesteven quickly responded with Davey Hodgson flying down the wing to collect a kicked ball before Whinney chased his own kick, making a tackle on the fullback who caught it for Will Pert to then arrive, steal the ball at the ruck and cross the line. Whinney converted to take the score to 15-17.
Turner then scored again having caught an attempted clearance kick from Boston and running it back down the wing and over the try line. Whinney hit the post with the conversion attempt. 15-22 Half Time.

Boston looked refreshed after the break and pegged Kesteven in their 22 for a sustained period before Boston’s inside centre used some quick feet to break the line and score and then convert his own try taking the score to 22-22.

A yellow card for Duncan Bateson reduced Kesteven but didn’t stop Kesteven from making yards. Dan Turner again breaking the line and some good hands from his teammates resulted in Ben Whinney crossing the line and converting his won try for the second time in the game. 22-29

Boston weren’t ready to throw the towel in just yet. Their number 10 picking the pocket of his opposite number to steal the ball in contact and then run it in under the posts. The missed conversion meant the score in this back and fourth game was 27-29 at the end of the third quarter.

The final quarter saw Kesteven run away with the game as Boston tired and Kesteven’s fitness came into play. Two further converted tries followed. Firstly, Adam Draper scored a classic scrum half try picking the ball up at the back of a ruck and darting through the poorly defended periphery to score. Then Dan Turner added another, bursting through a gaping whole in the Boston defence to score the final try of the game. 27-43 Full Time.

A good away win for Kesteven which showed much promise and some marked improvement in both skill and fitness. A number of players made their first team league debuts including Duncan Bateson, Davey Hodgson, Neil Robson, George Cowell and Dale Oliver.

Team: Hall, Cowell, Lowe, Turner, Parker, Whinney, Draper, Pert, Sheardown (c), Cole, Hanson, Bateson, Cowley, Norsworthy, Webster Subs: Robson, Hodgson, Oliver

Match details

Match date

Sat 25 Sep 2021

Kickoff

TBC

Competition

Midlands 3 East (North)

Team overview