Bletchley U14’s start the season off with an encouraging display away to Kettering.

Bletchley travelled up to Northamptonshire to play Kettering for their first match of the new season. As, with summer, the squad personnel rang a few changes with some players moving on and some new faces arriving but the core of squad remained largely intact.

The match started with Bletchley gaining the early territorial advantage with the first five or six minutes camped in the Kettering half. The early signs were good, the forwards were competitive with good ball retention and some excellent turnover they gave plenty of scope for scrum half Andy Cumino to deliver early ball to the backs. It was the hard work of the forwards that, finally after ten minutes, created an opportunity for Cumino to deliver and with good passing down the line, winger Kyle Gibbings touched down in the corner. Sam Levy booted, but although his line was good, alas distance was not.

The match continued with Bletchley dominant for much of the half with the attacks concentrated up the left side corner of the pitch this created space for our speedy backs to exploit and with the excellent work put in by our forwards and quick, accurate passing down the line Gibbings again found plenty of space to run in his, and the team's, second try. Again Levy stepped up but again the distance was too challenging.

Skipper Jack Evans came off for some treatment to his thumb and James Harris came on to deputise, play continued and although Kettering were showing more ambition they were, for the early part of the match, ably marshalled by the Bletchley defence.

Bletchley set up another attack on the left side but it was well defended so the point of attack was switched the right. Now the space was on the left and again clever forward work released the ball, good handling down the line gave wingman Jack Garner, who proved too strong for the many attempts to stop him, the opportunity to score Bletchley’s third try. Sam Levy again kicked but again the distance proved too much.

Bletchley were now in a commanding position and as a precaution took off Gibbings but Kettering were having other thoughts and reminded Bletchley that the match was far from over with a neatly taken try of their own, the conversion was successful.

Bletchley responded in kind with the forwards releasing Jack Garner for an attack up the left. Good ground was made, but the Kettering defence were equal to it, but all their resources were now committed to defending the left side, Bletchley quickly and cleverly switched the attack to the right, where James Petruck, who had moved out to the wing, found an overlap and ran in try number four. This time Petruck swung his leg, but still no conversion.

Although Bletchley were winning, they did not dominate as perhaps they should have done. They did appear to be struggling against an enthusiastic whistle which caused some confusion.

Half time was fast approaching but there was still time for Bletchley to again find James Petruck who, exploiting an overlap, managed to place the ball between the posts. Petruck took the kick himself and added two more points.

Half time Kettering 7 – 27 Bletchley

Kettering came out for the second half demonstrating much determination and Bletchley set themselves up to ride the Kettering storm. Discipline was a requirement in the early stages of this half. The match to and fro’ed with neither side dominant Jack Evans was back on leading his side.

By now Bletchley were clearly beginning to be affected by the continual stoppages concentration was allowed to slip and Kettering ran in their second try, again the conversion was successful.

This score appeared to awaken Bletchley and for the last ten minutes they again sought to take the match by the scruff. The forwards stepped up a gear Joe Reynolds, Ali Pyle, Alex Percival and Rob Vincent supported by Oliver Whitmore, Matt Allen and Josh Carroll and with James Harris and Geraint Bancroft throwing their weight about, snatched the initiative back for Bletchley. Scrum Half Andy Cumino foraged among the legs, Sam Levy delivered to backs, the backs attacked every angle.

It was a forward, Captain Evans that saw the space and was quick enough to break the line to score a fifth Bletchley try. James Petruck continued kicking duties but was unable to deliver the two extra points.

Bletchley now got into gear and started to again pass the ball around. The Bletchley side probed the Kettering defence, they had found some joy down the flanks where wingmen Petruck and Garner were posing the Kettering defence all sorts of questions but it was a forward who scored the next points after a tremendous drive, just to left of the posts, James Reilly touched down. Petruck kicked the conversion.

Tom Stainsby, running from full back had, all morning, been making searing runs deep into the Kettering defence, he secured good ground and was fully deserving of his late try with the tiring legs of the Kettering defence despairing behind him, unable to catch him, Stainsby placed the ball between the posts. Skipper Evans took the kick and the ball sailed over for the final points of the match.

Full Time Kettering 14 – 46 Bletchley

It was an impressive first game of the season it was pleasing to see decisive forward play that could produce quick ball. Scrum half and Fly half delivered bringing width to allow the speed merchants options to attack the opposing defence. The new or perhaps not so experienced players are now bedding in, Adam Wilcox, Josh Carroll and Oliver Whitmore are beginning to make more meaningful and valuable contributions to the overall team effort. It bodes well for the rest of the season but it is only the start; there is still much work to done but coaches Tom Punter and Richard Stainsby were pleased and satisfied with this first effort of the new season.

After much deliberation between parents and coaches the first Man of the Match award for the new season was awarded to skipper Jack Evans.

Squad: Adam Wilcox, Alex Percival, Ali Pyle, Andy Cumino, Geraint Bancroft, Jack Garner, James Harris, Jack Evans, James Harris, James Petruck, James Reilly, Joe Reynolds, Josh Carroll, Kyle Gibbings, Matt Allen, Oliver Whitmore, Rob Vincent, Sam Levy, Tom Stainsby.

Scorers: T: J.Petruck (2), K.Gibbings (2), J.Garner, J.Evans, J.Reilly, & T.Stainsby C: J.Petruck, S.Levy & J.Evans

Match report by Steve Garner...