Menaces & Mischiefs v Kettering

Menaces Game 1
This was a one sided affair due in no small way to the great defence of the Menaces. Although Kettering started, seven tags from the Harborough squad saw them turnover and the ball was taken by max fletcher who passed to Ned Bellamy who opened up the scoring. Kettering came close to the Harborough line but again 7 tags saw the ball change hands. Ed. Bradnam's received the ball from the restart and did the rest himself, outfoxing opponents down the left wing to score in the corner. Bellamy added a third before half time.
In the second half, Will Groves extended the lead and although Kettering pulled one back, Groves added his second for 5:1. Fletcher scored to extend the lead and although. Kettering replied once more, further tries from Ollie Barbosa, Bradnam and Kai Harley saw a fine win for Menaces.
Their next two games were much tighter.
Kettering's second squad seemed much stronger and soon grabbed a two try lead before Barbosa pulled one back. Kettering restored the two try lead before Bradnam (3) and Bellamy conspired to overturn the situation and with great support from Toby Christison and Groves grabbed a two try lead. Tries were exchanged but Christison's own score saw the Menaces secure a 6:5 win.
The third game was even tougher, with Menaces always behind by one or two tries, tries from Carys Hamilton, Bellamy and Harley securing respectability at half time (3:5 down). Tries from Bradnam, Hamilton and Groves soon restored parity at 6:6. Bradnam then secured the win with two more tries to cap a fine team performance.

Mischiefs report:
Into first weekend of November and weather now changing - wet/windy. Positoned on the raised top pitch at Kettering in a gale force winds, sticky underfoot, Mischiefs Under 8s produced some good rugby against Kettering. A squad, who all played a full part, comprised: Thomas Bailey, Roddy Dewar, George Goss, Noah Green, Thomas Kimbell, William McGregor, William Milne, James Parr, Hugh Salveson and Barney Walsh played three matches and managed to win one, draw one and lose one. Match one was a monumental draw 12-12, (great comeback having been 3 tries down), with Kimbell crossing for 6, Green scoring a hat-trick and a brace by Parr. Match 2 the squad were now into a better defensive mode and won 12-5, with Dewar, Milne Walsh and Green scoring. The last match, against the best squad again, finished 8-6 to Kettering with Parr, Milne Dewar and Kimbell all scoring. However the majority of the tries in all the matches resulted after good runs by other players who having been tagged close to the line they found good support and thus close touch downs - good rugby and promising for the future. Some good handling as well in tricky conditions combined with determined tagging was shown by all.