A brilliant defensive effort ensured Towcestrians kept out Kettering as they sealed a 25-0 win in Midlands One East.
Tows had troubles before the game with captain Liam Wilkinson picking up an injury in the warm-up.
Problems increased with both second rows Peter Gowler and George Symonds being added to the list.
Tows’ makeshift pack never the less to a firm hold of the game as they dominated the scrums, scrum-half Dave Stocks using the domination by finding a gap from a scrum to score under the posts. Pepe Nanci converted the try.
Shortly after Nanci was there again to add three points from a penalty.
On the heavy pitch Kettering were struggling to defend, a feature highlighted by a try from a five-metre scrum. Stocks now had a brace to his name.
Tows’ first half ended in spectacular fashion as No.8 Mark Yeates scored wide out to make it 22-0 at the break.
After the break, Kettering received a yellow card. Tows however failed to capitalize on the chance of the extra man as the pitch began to rapidly cut up nullifying the advantage in the backs. Kettering made every effort to get back into the game only to be smashed by Tows’outstanding defence. Big hits coming from the two Tows flankers.
Kettering tried to break the Tows line, Charlie Barker’s line stood strong however as it denied every attack.
Only three points could be added to the first half’s demolition, the defensive effort exemplified by Chrissie George’s hit on the Kettering No.8.
Below-par ONs seal bonus-point win
ONs produced a below-par performance but still managed to seal a bonus-point win as they saw off Market Bosworth 24-5.
The Billing Road boys dominated the lineout and were on top in the scrums but failed to capitalise on this possession, making too many elementary mistakes.
Market Bosworth tackled doggedly throughout and also won some crucial turnovers close to their own line but several times passes were dropped or went astray and wrong options were taken as the ONs failed to take their scoring chances.
The ONs started brightly and after two penalties from Alex Rose had drifted narrowly wide, a strong run from Sam Howes and pass put Gareth Graham clear, only for the referee to rule that the ball had been knocked on in the act of grounding and the try was disallowed.
Bosworth hit back and on their first visit to the ONs half moved the attack wide for a try in the corner but the visitors were soon on terms when Tom Holliday went over following a driven lineout.
Rose scored the ONs’ second try following a midfield break and after Ash Fullthorpe had expertly turned the ball over just inside the Bosworth half, swift transfer gave Rory Seymour the opportunity to race down the touchline and then go over close to the posts.
Rose converted to give the ONs a 17-5 lead at the break.
The opening 15 minutes of the second half were error strewn and even when Bosworth were reduced to 14 following a yellow card and penalty to touch,the ONs concede a free-kick for delaying the throw-in at the ensuing lineout.
A Rose break opened up the defence and his pass found Kieran O’Connor but he ignored the support and was tackled just short and minutes later the same player burst through but the final pass was spilled.
A forward drive from the ONs was held up over the line and the ball was picked up from the base of the resulting scrum but the support was slow to arrive and the ONs were penalised for holding on.
After 75 minutes the bonus-point try finally arrived when Howes forced his way over following a tapped penalty close to the posts and Tom Goodman’s conversion took the final score to 24-5.
Vickers puts the boot in on Scouts
OLD SCOUTS were hit hard by the accurate boot of Wellingborough fly-half Pete Vickers as they were beaten 39-19 at Rushmere Road. Vickers has returned to Wellingborough in a bid to help get the team out of the relegation zone and he proved the difference against Scouts as he showed his ability with a 24-point haul. Scouts’ tries came from skipper Russell Lynch, Ben Crossland and Cameron Hauxwell. Adam Frost converted two of them.
Rampant Ampthill are too strong for Heathens
Heathens were given a lesson in the arts of simple and basic rugby as they were swept aside by leaders Ampthill 105-12. The first half saw Ampthill rack up nine tries of which seven were converted with Heathens managing an unconverted try from their N0.8, Pete Evans on 35 minutes to make the score 59-5 at the interval.
Ampthill then added a further 46 points in the second half from eight tries with four being converted and Heathens adding seven points to their tally on 67 minutes with a try from prop Andy Evans that was converted by scrum-half Gavin Cottrell.
Mens Own well beaten by Stockwood Park
Mens own were second best in every department as they were beaten 50-0 by Stockwood Park. Illness, injury and work commitments saw Own take a mixed squad to Luton and despite all the players giving their all, Park were far too strong for the visitors.
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