Kesteven 1st XV vs. Nottingham Moderns 1st XV

Kesteven RFC 1st XV arrived in Wilford to a firm pitch and a crisp afternoon.

A few changes to the team including some last minute pull outs brought some disruption pre game.

After a good warm up kesteven settled into their running multi phase rugby from the off. The first score came in only the fourth minute when a few forward busts resulted in Whittaker finding space, he set young Cartwright free for a run in. Will Cann missed the conversion out wide.

Two minutes later Cartwright got his second, this time after a great pick up from a loose pass. Cutting a great angle he scored under the posts. Will converted with ease.

On only the 9th minute of the match Ks scored their third try. This time Mark Sayle scored after the initial break and offload from Scott Odams. This try was converted by Cann to make the score 19-0 after only nine minutes.

Kesteven then attempted to really open up with a few loose offloads and some drop balls from some overly ambitious play. One of these resulted in a hack through and score from the moderns inside centre. This was converted to make the score 19-7.

The Black Army realised the error of their ways and tightened things up a little before the fancy play could come. Some strong forward and clean line breaks from the centres led to Odams and Purvis driving for the line. Purvis got over to touch it down in the 14th minute. Cann converted to make it 26-7.

In fairness to the notts moderns team they didn't give up when Kesteven secured their bonus point. Back they came forcing a kickable penalty that they decided to take. 26-10.

Kesteven didn't let this phase them however, their 15 man game was finding gaps all over the pitch. Webster released Sayle to race in for his second try of the match. Converted by Cann on the 27th minute to make the score 33-10.

The fast pace of the attack continued. A huge break by Cowley upfield was followed by an extravagant offload that found Whittaker. He raced in for another converted try. 40-10 on the 29th minute.

Kesteven'a consistent attack was leading to the host team conceding multiple penalties. Five meters out Cowley took a quick tap to go over on the 39th minute. Converted by Cann to send the teams into half time with the score reading 47-10.

At half time K's made a couple of changes. Mark Sayle came off for Richard Midgley and Martyn Parker came on to fill the fullback slot.

The game slowed down in the second half with the hosts finding some more determination. But nine minutes in Odams went over after the initial break from Payne. The conversion was missed. 52-10.

Kesteven enjoyed less possession in the second half, but when they saw the ball they used it well. This time the centre, Will Cann, was released to score under the posts on the 65th minute. Converted to make the score 59-10.

On the 74th minute Cartwright completed a strong game with a great intercept try to round off his hat-trick. Converted by Cann to make the final score 66-10. Man of the match was Mark Sayle for his strong first half performance.

Team: Odams, Sheardown,Purvis, Pert , Cowley , Webster (Capt) Sayle , Payne , Draper , Wood , Goodrich , Cann , Cartwright , Betts , Whittaker , Parker , Midgley