Southwell 10 - Kesteven 27
Having won their last three encounters with Southwell, Kesteven 1st XV travelled to Southwell looking to heed coach Martin Steele's words and make it four. A win would also see them extend their winning run to five on the bounce and maintain their fifth place position in the league.
After a five week lay off Kesteven were looking to brush off the cobwebs and play some simple rugby from the outset. The sticky nature of the pitch and basic handling errors told the story of the first 20 minutes as both sides gave away countless penalties at the breakdown. The referee then indicated to captain Nick Clarke yellow cards would be issued if both sides continued this ploy.
Against the run of play Southwell took the first opportunity for points. A loose kick from fullback Pete Dixon saw their outside centre race up the pitch only to be stopped just short of the line from some excellent scrambled defence. From this position Southwell maintained the territory for a five minute period of play before good hands saw their fullback nip in at the corner to touch down.
Last season heads may have dropped. However, this consistent side kept their heads calm and realised that patience would see them through. Sure enough Kesteven maintained their territory for the next ten minutes and another penalty given away by Southwell saw Danny Turner open the Black Army's scoring with a neat three pointer.
More pressure and some excellent defence saw Southwell drop a loose ball on the halfway. Phil Jordan hacked through and just managed to defeat the opposing prop in a foot race to the line. Soon after Phil was the first player to be sin binned. Kesteven defended the rest of the first half to go in 10 - 7 up.
The half time talk from Steele remained largely positive. Kesteven needed to cut out the penalties and continue their excellent pressure. The line out was functioning superbly between Pert, Peabody and Haywood. Jinks (who was replaced at half time by Mount) and Woolerton were completely dominating the breakdown and tackle area. Some of the latter's hits were truly bone crunching.
The opening points of the half went to the boot of Turner. Ensuing play saw Kesteven dominate territory and it was not long before Turner scored the opening try of the half. A loose kick from the Southwell scrum half was returned with interest into their twenty two. Great work at the ruck from Brister saw quick ball presented to Dent who fired the ball out to Turner. The young fly half finished with aplomb stepping inside his opposite man and powering over.
With confidence gained the next fifteen minutes saw some of the most enterprising rugby shown this season. Backs and forwards interlinked well. One piece of play saw quick ball pass through ten separate hands the width of the field to which Captain Clarke could not hide his delight in announcing "champagne rugby" had arrived to the Black Army. Pressure built and some more quick hands saw Clarke involved again putting winger Betts into the corner for a classic try. Another loose kick from the Southwell halfback saw Rupert Jordan add to his recent tally of tries and outstrip the defence to touch down in the corner.
The last fifteen minutes were somewhat of an anticlimax. Ill discipline crept back into the Kesteven game and frustrations almost boiled over. However, the damage had been done and Kesteven were to take all the points.
The front five of Haywood, Adams, Paton (replaced by Bennett), Pert and Clarke had effective games in wearing down the opposition at the breakdown and in the loose. The back row of Peabody, Woolerton and Jinks (replaced by Mount) will take some beating in this league with their sublime destructive nature. Dent continues to marshal the pack well and made life a misery for both opposition scrum half's. The Kesteven backline, orchestrated by the exuberance and control of Turner and the astute Phil Jordan look set to continue running in tries.
Next week sees Kesteven entertain Amber Valley at home who are two points ahead of K's in the league and recent form suggests a close fought battle. With recurring confidence, Kesteven will be looking to leapfrog the opposition with a win which will take them to the dizzy heights of fourth in the league.
Kesteven team was P Dixon, B Betts, P Jordan, D Brister, R Jordan, D Turner, M Dent, M Paton, D Hayward, S Odams, W Pert, N Clarke, C Jinks, T Woolerton, A Peabody. Subs: R Windsor, P Bennett, P Mount.
Updates on matches on Saturdays and Sundays will be given on the website forum www,kestevenrfc.co.uk. The club also has a page on Facebook so if you are a facebook user why not join the Kesteven RFC Group. We are now using this as another means of keeping members advised. The ways of modern communication!!! A few members signed up after last week's appeal - I would encourage more members to join up. It is an easy to get messages out quicky.
What else is happening at the Club.
Rearranged dates for 1st Team matches are
Sat 6th Feb Kesteven v Mellish
Sat 27th Feb Notts Casuals v Kesteven
Club 500 Club
The annual fund-raising draw is now under way. We have increased the draw to 500 this year - that is 500 tickets to sell at £10 each. Top prize remains £1000 but the value of the other prizes has increased. There are 10 prizes in all £1000, £500, £300, £200, 2 x £100 and 4 x £50 so there is a decent chance of a decent prize.
Tickets are available now from Bill Berridge and Mike Money, in books of 5 tickets each. How many can you sell? The profir from the draw will go towards future developments at the club and will benefit everyone in the club, Minis, Juniors and Seniors. It's your club so please give your support. Contact details for Bill and Mike are in the Club Membership Card.
The draw will be made on President's Day Sunday 2nd May at 5 30 p.m. Not had a great rush for tickets yet - it is important that you the members support this and sell as many tickets as possible. Please do not wait for the approach from Mike or Bill - please please drop an email to bill ay bb@kestevenrfc.co.uk or call on 01476 590561 - he would be really pleased to hear from you! You could also become a Facebook Friend as well.
Future dates for the diary are the annual club reunion on Saturday 13th March when we are due to play Sleaford in a friendly. The current poor weather may force this to be changed so again watch for details.
Saturday 20th March we have a French Bistro night planned to coincide with the final 6 Nations match of the season - France v England which kicks off at 19 45. Come and support your country and your club.
Other 6 Nations matches involving England will be shown on the big screen at the club.
Sat 6th Feb - England v Wales kick off 17 00
Sun 14th Feb Italy v England kick off 14 00
Sat 27th Feb England v Ireland kick off 16 00
Sat 13th March Scotland v England kick off 17 00
Sat 20th March France v England kick off 19 45 GMT.
