Quarter-final day and Kesteven travelled to Ashbourne for perhaps their biggest challenge of the season so far. After a nervous opening few minutes, with both teams jostling for position on a rain-soaked pitch, Kesteven began to relax and probing attacks from Hall deep within his own half started to identify weaknesses in the defence. A succession of penalties down the left flank left Kesteven well placed at the lineout to make their first foray over the try line only to be deemed held up. Nevertheless, Ashbourne's goal line drop out was taken cleanly by Tagg, and just 3 phases later, with the sweetest of tips from Pilkington, Sheard touched down by the left post. Slick handling through the backs set winger Jallow up for an excellent finish in the left corner just 3 minutes later and Kesteven moved 12 points ahead. The minutes that followed saw a series of handling errors by the visitors and a try from Ashbourne in the 25th minute let them back into the game. Fortunes were reversed shortly after when Ashbourne’s overthrow at their own lineout was swooped on by flanker Andrew, putting the hosts under significant pressure just 10 metres out. Recycling through the half backs, the ball passed swiftly down the line into the hands of fullback Hall for a strong finish in the right corner, followed by a superb kick from Mussell to put Kesteven 14 points ahead at the break.

The start of the second half saw Ashbourne make the most of their try scoring opportunities and an early touch down put the pressure back on Kesteven. With Ashbourne looking threatening in open play, and on a swampy pitch where a lack of traction snuffed out more than just a couple of Kesteven attacks, the second period delivered more end-to-end exchanges. However, with the balance always in Kesteven’s favour, it was not long before the backs once more took control of the space, releasing Owen on the right wing to run in from 40 metres out.

Ashbourne most certainly asked questions of Kesteven in all areas of the game; however, this was Kesteven in their prime. The forwards played disciplined, intelligent rugby, with every lineout setting up a solid platform for attack, well organised pods sucking in defenders to create space on the wings, and tip lines further confusing the defence. The backs executed training ground moves with confidence and precision, orchestrated with clinical efficiency by the half-back duo of Gilbert and Barry, and the centre pairing of Mussell and Tagg were immense in defence. Up front, Pilkington impressed with his power and tenacity in and around the breakdown, whilst full back Hall swept up any loose ball at the back and returned it with interest, running hard, uncompromising lines through the Ashbourne defence. However, for his formidable contribution on the front foot and his eye-watering hits in defence, Man of the Match went to outside centre Tagg who, on the day, was sensational.

Kesteven: Sheard (vc), Simpson, James, Muir, Stephenson, Andrew, Hewson, Pilkington, Gilbert (c), Barry, Jallow, Tagg, Mussell, Owen, Hall

Replacements: Pellett, Bailey, Login, Griffiths, Hillyer

Tries: Sheard, Jallow, Hall, Owen
Conversions: Mussell (3)