Sat 9 Sep 2023, 15:00
Peterborough RUFC entertained Kettering this past Saturday on the hottest day of year that proved to be challenging to players and spectators alike.
Borough were unable to reach the same standards as the previous week and would go onto lose by 17-12.
Kettering started the brighter of the two sides and early pressure would result in a converted try to the vistors to give them a early 7-0 lead. Kettering maintained the pressure on the home side but thanks to some last ditch defence Borough managed to keep Kettering scoreless. Borough then began to have success's of their own and from a slick backline play Lawrence Teague scored a well worked team try. Behind 7-5 at halftime Borough were very much in the contest.
The second half was the same as the first with Kettering putting the home side under lots of pressure and Borough weren't helping themselves with several poor exit plays. Kettering were next to score as their backline benefited from some poor tackling by Borough to give them a 14-5 lead. Borough did however come back into the game once again and Will Manning scored after some sustained pressure, Byron Van Uden converted to give Borough a hope of securing a unlikely victory. But as had been the theme through out the game Borough kept giving up prime opportunities to score. Another penalty kicked by Kettering to push the score out to 17-12 which meant Borough needed a converted try to win. Despite several chances Borough were their own worst enemies as either poor option taking or poor execution meant they couldn't take their opportunities to score. Borough would have to settle with a losing bonus point for coming with in 7. Final score 17-12 to Kettering.
DOR Shane Manning's Comments " we were off our game and Kettering deserved the win. We couldn't get our game going and that was down to Kettering wanting the win more than we did. However I do have concerns with how the new tackle height law is being interpreted by some of the Refferees. The RFU have made changes to the tackle height this season and all emphasis is on the players and coaches to adapt. However on Saturday there were several clear violations of the new law with one playing being hit in the head three times and others being hit high. There were players dropping their body height when running with the ball at the last second and our Referee just didn't seem to call them. I know the Refs have a hard job and we couldn't play without them but if we have to change then the Referee's need to be doing a better job of enforcing them. Next week we are away to Leicester Forest who are new to our league so its a bit of the unkown. But if play how we did this past week what I do know is we will lose."
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