Kesteven win in local derby

Saturday 18th October 2014

Midlands League 3 East North

Sleaford 5 Kesteven 59

Kesteven made the short trip over to Sleaford for the traditional local derby match. Ed Bloodworth made his first start in place of the injured Sayle, Rob Cann came in for Lines, while Will Cann and Ede returned to the threequarters.

The early exchanges were pretty tight with both sides battling for supremacy. The Kesteven pack were intent on keeping the ball moving forward but the Sleaford defence was secure. The breakthrough came after 15 minutes. Sleaford won a penalty on half way and tried to run it. The tackle was good – and when the ball went loose Odams pounced and secured possession. Dingley and Wood moved it swiftly out to Taylor. The wing had a lot to do but his determination and pace opened up a gap to the line for the opening try. The conversion failed. This settled the visitors and they started to get on top making it difficult for Sleaford to break out. Taylor added a second try from nothing. He picked up a loose ball on the 22 and ghosted through the defence to score. This time converted as his kick went in off the post. Ede was then unfortunate to be injured and was replaced by Jordan. Sleaford were resorting to kicks to test the Kesteven defence. One of these was fielded by Whittaker on his own 22. He showed his usual enterprise and set off on a darting run through the entire Sleaford team to go clear and score under the posts for a wonderful individual try. Cann converted and now Kesteven were on top. They finished the half with a trademark try from Turner. Will Cann made the running and found Turner straightened and set a fine angled run to the post. A neat shimmy saw off the last defender as he scored at the posts. Will Cann added the goal points to take the score to 26 – 0, with the bonus point, as the half ended.

At half time Mark Clift-Hill came on for Purvis for his first team debut and Tweddle replaced Cowley who was having trouble with his boots! Sleaford knew they had to improve their game and they did. They won more ball and were keen to keep playing rugby. Kesteven for their part relaxed a little and maybe tried to play too much rugby. One such move was turned over on their own 22 and Sleaford were able to run in a try to narrow the gap. The next turning point came after 23 minutes when a dangerous tackle by Sleaford on Tweddle led to a yellow card for the Sleaford player. This galvanised Kesteven and they quickly reasserted themselves. Dingley took the penalty quickly and sent Goodrich away. The big centre used all his strength to go over, and then Rupert Jordan was denied a try when he lost the ball in the act of scoring before Goodrich ran clear for his second. The game was becoming very open as Sleaford tired. A kick through by Dingley was followed up by Whittaker and Taylor. Whittaker distracted the defender while Taylor stole the ball and strolled over. Taylor then got his fourth try as he collected a good pass from Cann. Cann converted all of these tries. The final moment came in the last minute. Kesteven won a scrum deep in their own half. Cann fed Whittaker with just enough room and the full back ran with terrific determination to hug the touchline to race clear and score behind the posts. His own conversion failed leaving the final score at Sleaford 5 Kesteven 59.

This was a fine display by Kesteven whose brand of total rugby involving forwards and backs was great to watch. In the pack Odams had a fine game with Turner not far behind. Star of the pack however was young Ed Bloodworth playing his first full game for the first team. He grew in confidence as the game went on collecting restarts and not being afraid to go forward. He was also up in support and his deft hands in giving and taking passes was excellent. He was rightly awarded man of the match. In the backs Taylor took the plaudits with his 4 tries but he was well served by Will Cann while Whittaker scored two exceptional tries and Goodrich ran strongly for his double. This win sets the season up well for the Black Army.

Team was A Whittaker; J Ede W Cann, J Goodrich, K Taylor; O Wood, J Dingley; S Odams, R Sheardown, G Purvis, J Cowley, E Bloodworth, T Webster, R Cann, D Turner Reps – M Clift-Hill, D Tweddle, R Jordan