The Rugby Football Club

 Rugby Lions Supporters Site

With captain James Hawken sustaining a calf injury in training, it was good to see the return of Matt Goode at number 13 to partner Wilf Barclay at 12 for the second week running. Tim Douglas, back from University played on the wing, with the rest of the team as last week except for Matt Davies starting at hooker with Sam Overton reverting to the bench.

The match began in bright but very cold conditions and Rugby dominated early possession with some storming runs by Wilf Barclay, Karl Braband and Matt Davies. Following a ruck five metres into Kettering’s half, the home side were penalised for playing the ball on the ground and Glenn Bond stepped up to continue his rich vein of form from last week to give the Lions a 3-0 lead. Kettering responded strongly only to be denied by a poor pass that flew into touch. Rugby came back with some good interplay between forwards and backs which ended with Dave Clements being penalised for not releasing. From the resulting lineout, Lions were again penalised – this time for entering the ruck from the side. Kettering’s full-back Nicky Buoy went for goal but pulled his kick wide of the posts. Lions then produced a rolling maul that gained 15 metres before being illegally pulled down. The home flankers were spoiling a lot of Lion’s possession at this stage aided by some liberal interpretation of the off-side law. Kettering attacked down the right flank and were awarded a penalty for an offence which was not indicated by the official. Nicky Buoy went for goal again but this time pushed it to the right hand side of the posts.

It was then Glenn Bond’s turn for a penalty attempt from just inside the home 10-metre line. Although the kick was straight it didn’t have the legs to reach the bar. From the restart Glen Carson produced one of his legendary charges, followed up by Karl Braband. The ball was spun left and Tommy Turner was then obstructed by the home No.7 Will Griffiths. Tommy reacted by pushing him away and was then himself pulled to the ground by centre Paul Percival. The referee’s response was the first of his yellow cards for the home centre - harsh to say the least. The resultant penalty was despatched to the corner but the Lions were penalised for delaying the throw. The play was quite scrappy at this stage with errors from both teams, not helped by some very odd decisions that perplexed the players almost as much as the supporters. Rugby’s first try followed a knock-on by Paul Gibson five metres from his own line. Glenn Carson picked up from the base of the resulting scrum but was held up just short. The ball was recycled right and Matt Goode picked up a difficult pass to weave his way over the line. Glenn Bond converted to make it 0-10. Unfortunately Glenn Carson suffered a nasty looking hip injury and was replaced by James Wadey.

There was a lot going on in both front rows and following a minor confrontation Jamie Tyers appeared to push an opponent away. The ref. took a different view however and produced his second yellow card deeming it to be a punch. Kettering refused to lie down and responded vigorously with three players giving Wilf Barclay a shoeing as he went down on the ball in front of the posts. This appeared to go unseen as play continued, only to be bought back for a penalty to Kettering after lengthy treatment to Wilf. This time Nicky Buoy made no mistake to make the score 3-10. The restart failed to go 10metres and the Lions were again penalised at the scrum . This seemed to be for either pushing too hard or deliberately turning the scrum. The penalty was converted by Nicky Buoy to make it 6-10.

The Lions came back strongly from the restart forcing a hurried touch kick 5metres from Kettering’s line. The home side repelled this attack but Lions were not to be denied and following a good break by Tim Douglas the ball was moved left to Tommy and then to Wilf who shook off three would be tacklers to score an excellent try. Glenn Bond’s conversion attempt was pushed just to the left of the posts.

Half Time Kettering 6 Rugby 15

The second half saw the home side step up a gear and put the Lions under some pressure. The Lions were reduced to 13 players, as Glenn Bond was bizarrely yellow carded for stamping on an opponent. More pressure from the home side pinned the Lions back on their try line but Rugby’s defence is solid these days and the attacks were repelled vigorously. However another penalty was conceded and converted by Nicky Buoy to make the score 9-15.

At this stage Rugby’s supporters were starting to get a bit jittery as the penalty count against the Lions was beginning to mount. However when Jamie Tyers spell in the bin was over and they were restored to 14 players the tide began to turn. Rugby’s pack now started to turn the screw and applied concerted pressure with numerous charges that were just held up. Following one of these, the Kettering No8 Ryan James was despatched to the bin for killing the ball. The play was now confined to the Kettering 22 and a score looked inevitable.

Glenn Bond now returned to the fray and Rugby replaced scrum half Alex Stajka with Dave Jackson. Kettering continued to battle bravely and defended well to keep out Rugby’s persistent drives but following a great run from Jacko the ball was spun wide and James Wadey crashed over. Glenn Bond converted to make the score 9-22 and the Lions fan’s could breathe easier. It was one-way traffic now and a mazey run from Dave Clements produced a brilliant individual try from the Kettering 10metre line to make the game safe at 9-27. Glenn Bond failed with conversion attempt. With the sun disappearing and the temperature dropping rapidly the supporters were keen to get back to the warmth of the clubhouse, but the drama was not over yet. The referee produced the fifth yellow card of the match to despatch Dave Jackson to the bin – again apparently for stamping. Lions continued to play out the final minutes in Kettering’s 22 to secure a vital and hard fought win.

This win keeps the Lions at the top of the league and their prospects for promotion are firmly in their own hands. It was disappointing to hear that today’s captain Neil (Flapper) Underhill will be unavailable for the rest of the season due to work commitments. He has been a revelation this season and we thank him and hope we can welcome him back next season.