Sat 2Sept 1st XV 49 v Queens 10

Saturday 22nd September

RFU Senior Vase Round 1

Kesteven 49 Queens (Bedford) 10


Kesteven's mpressive start to the season continued with an emphatic but hard fought win over Queens from Bedford.


Harland and Rupert Jordan came into the starting line up as replacements for Keiran Taylor and Cameron Hudson on duty for Nottingham Academy XV.


The visitors looked to be strong outfit and were soon on the scoreboard with a penalty inside the first five minutes. A second attempt shortly after was just wide. Kesteven attempts to use their usual running game were falling to a hard tackling defence. Eventually Kesteven were awarded a penalty near half way. Danny Turner's long range effort drifted wide to be touched down for a drop out. Queens fluffed the drop out and from the resulting scrum Tony Woolerton picked up at the base and broke for the line. The tackling was ineffective ad Tony scored at the posts. Matt Harland added the goal points to give the home team the lead. This settled the home side and they started to win more possession but time and again the visitors defence held out. They were giving away a growing number of penalties. From of these Kesteven kicked to touch 20 metres out. Te line out was won by Turner at the front and the pack did their best work getting on an unstoppable drive which ended with Brown touching down for the try. A magnificent effort by the pack.

Kesteven had to stand a lot of pressure from the visitors in the minutes before the break but they held out and that was significant as the half ended with K's leading 12 - 3.

After the break it was important that K's started well and they did. Parker's kick off was high enough to allow the supporting pack to challenge. The Queens player caught the ball and was engulfed by Odams and Woolerton. The ball was turned over and the visitors conceded a penalty which Harland converted to extend the lead. Kesteven were getting on top and Quees were defending more desperately. They gave away one penalty too many and one of their players was sin binned. The home team took advantage of the extra man allowing Goodrich the space to force his way over for a fine try.

The next turning point in the match came shortly after. Queens won possession in the home 22. Their stand of put in an intelligent kick to the corner. The race to the ball between the wings was just won by Rupert Jordan. From the resulting drop out Queens somehow lost possession and Danny Turner scooped up the ball to run from 60 metres for a try, converted by Harland.

This spurred Queens to greater effort. From the restart they challenged for the ball but James Cowley was the stronger and caught the restart and headed upfield. The unfortunate Queens player was led from the field dazed. Shortly after Turner added his second try again converted by Harland before Queens eventually got on the scoresheet with agood try whihc was converted.

Kesteven were using the new interchange replacement system to good effect. Brown Pert and Flear came off to be replaced by Cowley, Hanson and Webster making his debut. In turn Brown Pert and Flear returned for Odams, Durrance and Webster then as Purvus took a knock Odams was on hand to come back. The new system is working well.

The last ten minutes were played out as Queens wilted. First Rupert Jordan got over in the corner before Jake Hughes, who had been frustrated at his apparent lack of service finally got a clear run in for his try and Danny Turner brought the curtain down on a fine Kesteven performance with the final try.


The foundatiom for this win was laid by the pack who stood up strongly to a very committed visiting team. There were strong performances from them all with Pert and Durrance, making his final appearance before leaving for University both impressive in the second row. Brown led by example while Woolerton gave his usual whole hearted effort. Turner showed his value to the team with his three tries. The backs had a more difficult time this week but nevertheless came through and got their reward in the end. Martyn Parker was awarded man of the amtch for the way he controlled and managed the side throug the game.

Next week the team get back to league action with a trip to Lincoln.

Team was M Harland; R Jordan, J Hughes, J Goodrich, A Whittaker; M Parker, K Lines; S Odams, A Brown, G Purvis, W Pert, S Durrance, J Flear, D Turner, T Woolerton Reps J Cowley, O Hanson, T Webster