Kesteven 1st XV vs Melton Mowbray 1st XV

Kesteven welcomed league leaders Melton Mowbray to a windy Woodnook for their first home game of the New Year. Whittaker and Lidstone returned to the back division while Woolerton was recalled to the pack.

It was clear from the start that the strong cross wind was going to make open rugby difficult but it wasn’t long before the visitors drew first blood. Their scrum half made a darting break on half way and chipped ahead. In the chase to the line the referee decided that the Melton player had been tackled without the ball and he awarded a penalty try. The conversion was good and Melton had a 7 point lead within five minutes. Kesteven came more into the game and were intent on using their backs with Goodrich as the spearhead. This week however he was not able to break through a resolute defence whose speed into the tackle also made it difficult for the home team to use the pace of their wings and full back. Melton were able to exert pressure for some spells too with Kesteven forced to defend their line. Will Cann was caught off-side on the goal line and was despatched to the sin bin for 10 minutes. During this time Melton were camped on the Kesteven line but couldn’t break through the thin black line. Cann’s return allowed Kesteven to relieve the pressure and it was their turn to force the game. Melton started to give away penalties and from one of these Cann kicked a good goal, judging the flight of the ball perfectly in the wind. The half time score of 7 – 3 to Melton gave Kesteven hope for the second half.

Melton however were able to keep the ball early in the half and added to their tally after 8 minutes. They won good ball on the home 22 and broke through to score. The conversion was good and Melton led 14 – 3. Kesteven did have chances in the second half with Olly Wood in particular kicking well but they were not able to add to their score. Melton added a penalty then as players tired the game started to open up. Cartwright came on for Lidstone while Osborne and Payne freshened things up in the last 15 minutes. Cartwright looked lively and came close to winning an interception while Whittaker had a couple of runs but the Melton defence was strong. They added a third try near the end. A threequarter move was stopped by Cann who forced the ball into touch but from the line out the Melton pack forced their way over. The conversion failed leaving the final score Kesteven 3 Melton Mowbray 22.

The team was A Whittaker; F Lidstone, W Cann, J Goodrich, B Jepson; O Wood, J Dingley; S Odams, R Sheardown, G Purvis, W Pert, J Cowley, T Webster, T Woolerton, M Sayle. Replacements A Osborne, A Cartwright, J Payne.