As the Kesteven 1st team were giving Bakewell more than a run for their money away from home a strong looking Dog Pack took to the field against a large Mellish side at Woodnook.

It is impossible not to offer up the all to regularly used cliché, of ‘this was a game of two halves’, because most factually are, except this particular game was exactly that!

K’s started with an intent and dominance that was lending itself to a larger score than they eventually received with some sublime handling and lines of running. It was Andy Peabody who opened the scoring following great work from Coghill, who seemed to have a force field around him at times supported by Midgley, they took play up to the 22. The ball was spun wide from Parker who found Peabody, not for the first time in his career, hanging out wide and with a well judged trip cut inside the covering defenders to score near the posts. The returning officer in waiting Harry Martin, continued his kicking form from 2 weeks ago and slotted the extras.

From the kick off K’s were in no mood to let up and were again using the mobile pack to run the massive opposition around, with Coghill again picking his lines of running very well, with Jake Hughes the next on the score sheet to finish the try. Again Martin converted.

Mellish were finding it difficult to get hold of the ball, and when they did it was in their own 22. On one occasion they kicked loosely to Danny Williams, who having lulled the on rushing defenders with a juggle from the intended catch, quickly side stepped 2 players, and set off on a mesmerising run which took him to a spectacular score. Harry martin was again accurate.

K’s were not finished and almost instantly found Jake Hughes the invitation required for him to complete a first half brace, in what was an impressive first half display. With Martin kicking a more difficult conversion and the bonus point score the second xv looked secure for an easy victory. Kesteven still hadn’t finished with the first half scores as Harry martin completed a long run score to the posts, which saw his only failure with the boot with a tired conversion attempt.

34-0 up at half time, Kesteven looked set for a scoreline that would improve the points difference immeasurably, and having made the requisite changes to ensure all subs got game time, began the second half in confident fashion. Mellish, on the other hand, had other ideas, and began an improbable come back, which you can only admire.

Somehow the visitors managed to stop Kesteven’s mobile pack from playing stifling the dangerous back line, and keeping the ball tight to the huge forwards, were able to score 3 tries without reply. Converting 2 of these gave mellish a second half 19 point haul opposed to kesteven’s 3 from the 100% boot of Martin Parker.

Despite the issues faced in the second half, Kesteven’s Dog Pack still managed an impressive bonus point victory, which has given them for now top spot in the league table going into a must win game against West Bridgford 2nd XV. The watching crowd were treated to a fine display of running rugby in the first half followed by an impressive, powerful second half Mellish come back, which again showed Kesteven’s resolve in defence as they repelled more chances than they allowed to succeed.

Team:
Sheilds, Login, P. Dolan (c), Hanson, Coghill,R. Dolan, Midgley, Peabody, Dent, Parker, Jake Hughes, Betts, Cooper, Williams, Martin. Reps: Jordan Smith, Windsor, Flear, Charles, Young