Whilst the proposed development of 3,700 new homes in Grantham will, no doubt, bring a much-needed boost to the entire district, especially if proper infrastructure and services are built in to the plans, we wonder if the correct provision of rail services for commuters, and the community as a whole, has been - or will be - properly factored in?

As seasoned commuters, and regular users of the rail service, we have travelled from Grantham for some considerable time and notice that the trains are getting ever busier, with most Grantham to London commuter trains nearly full to capacity, and sometimes with standing room only - especially coming back from London.

If one takes 3,700 new homes with 7,400 adults living within, and say only a quarter commute to London (is there a figure that has been assumed or used for the development?), that will mean an extra 3,700 journeys per day (1,850 each way) from Grantham. Even if only one half of the quarter guessed at commute that still means an extra 1,850 journeys per day, and half of that 925 journeys per day. The current system simply cannot cope. Even if there are only regular users and not regular commuters, it will still put a huge strain on the system, with the extra numbers of travellers and extra commerce in the region.

Leaving aside the second class annual season ticket cost of £8,064 (and the vast annual cost for parking at the railway station - circa £1,000 pa) - which is already putting off many prospective new movers/commuters to London, we are not sure that the rail service from Grantham will be able to cope

It certainly will not at current service levels.

Alistair Troughton, Christopher Jeffreys, Alastair Irvine,

Peter Stephens

By email

I asked (Journal, August 1) if any local politicians had factual figures concerning costs vs benefits to taxpayers (if Lincolnshire County Council became a unitary authority and Grantham had a town council) could they please let us know through the Journal, but answer came there none.

Petitions and polls are absolutely laudable, but they may be somewhat premature until we have such essential information.

Please tell me exactly what I would be signing up to or voting for. What advantages or disadvantages would result and how much would it cost me? Come on, politicians ... do you actually know?

Brian Bruce

Colsterworth

A woman accused of four shop thefts was given a suspended 16-week prison sentence.

Kerry Lee Askew, 33, of Uplands Drive, Grantham, had previously admitted stealing two pairs of children’s shoes valued at £70 from Brantano at Augustin Retail Park in Grantham on May 1. She also stole spirits worth £198.98 from Waitrose in Stamford on June 2, and spirits and razor blades worth £335.46 from the same store on July 1. On June 29 she stole spirits worth £128 from the Co-op in Bottesford.

After reading a pre-sentence report, magistrates handed Askew 16 weeks in custody suspended for 12 months for all four offences.

Askew will also have to attended a drug rehabilitation course for six months and obey a curfew from 8pm to 6am for three months. She was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £80.

A motorist has handed in his notice at work after drink driving in Grantham.

Tamas Zsolt Lauko, 46, of Clifton Court, Grantham, admitted drink driving in Oxford Street on August 8.

Prosecuting, Marie Stace said that police saw Lauko’s BMW at 3.35am. It was being driven very slowly and was swerving and drifting into the middle of the road. They saw the car brake suddenly and swerve to avoid a parked vehicle. The car turned into Oxford Street and was stopped by the officers.

They smelled alcohol on Lauko and he was asked to take a breath test which proved positive. He was taken to the police station where a further test resulted in a reading of 87 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 milligrammes. The court heard that Lauko had no previous convictions.

Defending, Julian Sheen said: “He immediately admitted the matter and was compliant with the police and has pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. He is very ashamed of what has happened.

“As a result of this, he has handed in his notice and so he will be on a much reduced income. He was more than twice the legal limit and he knows he will suffer the consequences which are already significant.”

Magistrates disqualified Lauko from driving for 22 months. He was fined £275 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £28 and costs of £85.

He will be able to reduce his ban if he successfully completes a drink driver’s rehabilitation course.

Police cordoned off part of the High Street on Saturday night when a man threatened to jump off a roof.

Police were called to the Atrium at 9.30pm after reports of a man shouting and threatening to jump off the roof. He was walking along the roofs of buildings along the street and at one point was on the roof of the Yorkshire Bank.

A police negotiator was sent to talk to the man and he later came down. The High Street was reopened at about 10pm.

There is no confirmation of an arrest.

Northern Premier League

Premier Division

FC United of Manchester 3

Grantham Town 1

Mistakes late in the second half were punished to send the Gingerbreads home pointless again from an encounter with FC United of Manchester.

Grantham started on the front foot and could have shocked their hosts in the first minute. Jordan Hempenstall robbed a dithering FC United defence and sent Greg Smith through. Smith was closed out by the home defence and the chance was lost.

That came back to haunt Grantham as FC United scored with their first attack after four minutes. Greg Daniels turned Scott Matthews and delivered a low cross into the Grantham six-yard box where Matthew Woolfenden turned the ball into the net.

The opening goal allowed the home side to relax and put Grantham under pressure for most of the first half. The Gingerbreads’ passing to their front line was not accurate enough and allowed the home side to gather too many balls under no pressure and start to build attacks.

After 21 minutes, Woolfenden had a chance to score again. Another cross from the Grantham left picked him out, but his header skimmed off the top of the crossbar. Two minutes later, Grantham struggled to clear the ball from the edge of their penalty area. It fell to Tom Greaves and his stabbed shot needed to be cleanly taken by Dan Haystead.

A minute later, the home side had a corner that Grantham defended well and broke from quickly. Alex Simmons took the ball into the FC United penalty area and appeared to be bundled over, only for referee Mr Mulhall to give the free kick the other way and book Simmons for diving.

Although FC United had most of the possession during the second part of the first half, Grantham defended strongly. Phil Watt and Deon Meikle gave nothing away and frustrated the home side.

Straight after half time, Grantham increased their frustration by levelling the game. Simmons delivered a good cross from the Grantham right only 22 seconds into the second half. At the far post, Hempenstall bundled home the equaliser.

The next 20 minutes saw an open game with chances at both ends. Greaves and Callum Byrne had chances for the home side, but Greaves’ touch was too heavy and Byrne blazed wide. For the Gingerbreads, Matthews fired over the crossbar and Simmons and Rhys Lewis battled hard to create an opening, but David Carnell in the FC United goal was alert to snuff out the danger.

The home side took the lead again on 63 minutes. A mistake by Meikle allowed Greg Daniels in and he squared the ball to Greaves. In turn, Greaves played the ball on for Woolfenden to slot in his second goal of the game.

Four minutes later, FC United rode their luck as a weak punch from Carnell only found Lewis. His header looped back over the goalkeeper, but was cleared off the home goal-line. A minute later, Simmons had a shot deflected wide, then desperate defending from Chris Lynch denied Sam Purcicoe as the Gingerbreads looked for a second equaliser.

The killer blow for Grantham came two minutes from full time. With FC United pinned back in their own half, Liam Dickens lost the ball and a quick break saw Watt outnumbered two to one. The first pass seemed to have taken the ball too wide, but it was laid back for Byrne who drilled his shot into the net.

Grantham Town: Haystead, Purcicoe, Matthews, Meikle, Watt, Dickens (Johnson, 90), Lewis, Towey, Hempenstall, Smith (Fairclough, 66), Simmons. Subs not used: Batchelor, Rawden, Turner. Att: 1,985.

Elderly people are receiving telephone calls purporting to be from the electricity board.

Bottesford Parish Neighbourhood Watch is warning villagers not to give out details to cold callers following reports from two elderly neighbours last week.

They received calls from “a well-spoken man” offering reductions in energy costs. The caller knew their names and addresses and went to ask personal questions and for debit card details.

Bottesford Parish NHW principal co-ordinator John Shilton said: “It is not absolutely clear whether these calls were attempts to obtain information for fraudulent purposes but they contained several elements suggesting that they may well be. The matter was reported to the police.

“NHW always advises people not to divulge personal information to uninvited and unknown callers. Genuine callers will be happy to provide their name, number and details of the company they are working for. Any offers made should be checked directly with the company concerned before proceeding.

“If you undertake this check on the phone please remember to ensure that the telephone line has been cleared down from the previous call, otherwise you will simply return to the previous caller or his/her associate who may pose as a company representative to mislead you into providing the information the fraudsters are seeking from you.”

* Suspicious activity should be reported to police on the non-emergency 101 number.

United Counties League

Premier Division

Wisbech Town 4

Harrowby United 1

Harrowby United came out second best in the first ever meeting between the two clubs.

The Arrows travelled with a depleted squad due to injuries and unavailability but were still in confident mood.

The ‘Fenmen’ started the game brightly and put Harrowby on the back foot from the off. The first goal came from a disputed penalty kick awarded for a challenge by Sam Hill where the Arrows skipper appeared to get the ball. Referee Mr Prytherch thought differently and pointed to the spot. Josh Ford Ford stepped up to deposit the ball past Arrows custodian Aiden Hotchin and into the bottom corner.

Two minutes later, good link-up play between Martin Wormall and Lee Shaw ended with the latter shooting just wide.

Wisbech doubled their lead after 21 minutes when they broke clear as Harrowby appealed for offside. The officials got it spot on as Ford went through, laying the ball off to Stuart Cobb who rolled the ball into an empty net.

Wisbech’s summer signing, Danny Beaumont, put the game out of Harrowby’s reach inside the half hour mark with goals after 24 and 29 nine minutes, the second looking marginally offside.

After 37 minutes, Arrows man-of-the-match Aiden Hotchin produced a fine reaction save on his goal line, diverting the ball away from a strongly hit shot.

A much improved second period from the Arrows saw them score the only goal of the half. Wisbech were frustrated by good defending and fine goalkeeping as United dug in to prevent a rout.

The Fenmen were awarded a second penalty after 79 minutes. This time there were no doubts as 16-year-old Rui Cardoso, making his debut, brought down a Wisbech attacker, the youngster earning a yellow card for his troubles. Adam Milson took the spot kick this time and saw his effort superbly kept out by Hotchin, diving to his left to push the ball away.

The Arrows’ endeavour and hard work were rewarded in the 84th minute when John Currall was brought down on the edge of the Wisbech penalty area. Wormall stepped up to curl the free kick around the wall and into the bottom right hand corner, just out of the reach of Wisbech keeper Lea Jordan.

A frustrating afternoon for the Arrows was made worse by later learning that influential midfielder Simon Bolland, who broke down in the warm-up, had in fact fractured his leg in the game against Thurnby Nirvana.

Harrowby United: Hotchin, Cardoso, Clarke, Stubbs, Whyley, Weatherstone, Hill (c), Currall, Peberdy (Mayes, 75), Wormall, Shaw.

A 36-year-old woman was caught stealing two fragrances from a Boots store after removing the security tags from them.

Stacey MacDonald, of Burrows Close, Grantham, admitted stealing a tin of Jean Gaultier fragrance and a box of Hugo Boss fragrance, valued at £80, from Boots in Newark on April 5 this year.

She also admitted failing to surrender to custody at Nottingham Magistrates Court on April 29.

Prosecuting, Marie Stace said that a member of Boots staff saw MacDonald at 5.10pm walking past with a large bag. She was seen removing the two security tags from the fragrances and walk to the other side of the store. She then left without paying for anything.

The member of staff stopped MacDonald outside the store. She struggled with him and he was helped by an off-duty police officer. The fragrances were found in MacDonald’s bag.

Defending, Rory Macmillan told the court that these matters were due to be heard earlier this year alongside a trial, but that was dropped by the prosecution and these matters were not dealt with.

The magistrates gave MacDonald a conditional discharge for three months. No costs were ordered.

Grantham Town Supporters’ Club lotto (sponsored by Galaxy Fish Bar), winners of September 20 draw:

£200 – 59 Mrs Newcombe; £10 – 463 T. Fraher; £5 – 285 A. Matsell, 384 L. Chambers, 549 A. Chantry, 709 S. Bilner, 409 D. Smith, 642 Mrs Southgate.

A father of five children appeared on video link from prison after he admitted stealing a bicycle last week.

Carl Moore, 32, of no fixed address, was sent to prison for six weeks last week after admitting the offence.

He denies two charges of breaching a restraining order and his solicitor asked magistrates to grant Moore bail when he is released from prison before his trial date on October 15.

Moore is accused of breaching a restraining order on August 5 when he allegedly went to his former address in Ivatt Court and slept in the shed in the back garden. He is also accused of breaching the order by attending the same address on August 12.

Solicitor Chris Pye-Smith said his client appeared in court on Thursday, while in custody, and admitted the theft of a pedal cycle and breach of a suspended sentence order handed to him for an assault. Mr Pye-Smith said Moore received six weeks in custody but will only serve three of those, which means he will be released before his trial next month.

Mr Pye-Smith asked the magistrates to grant Moore technical bail so that he could be given his freedom until the trial.

Prosecutor Marie Stace said she would be happy for Moore to be granted conditional bail upon his release from prison.

The magistrates agreed and granted Moore bail upon his release on condition he did not go to Ivatt Court or Sturrock Court or the alleyway that runs behind them and did not contact one named person.

Bottesford and District Angling Association’s latest club match was played at Willow Lakes, Foston (Hawthorn), on Sunday.

Big netfuls were the order of the day, with winner D. Scott’s haul of fish just shy of 80lb.

Results: 1 D. Scott 79.04.00, 2 M. Calcraft 68.12.00, 3 A. Howe 60.04.00, 4 J. Harrison 54.00.00, 5 S. Fisher 49.12.00.

The next match is on Grantham Canal at Woolsthorpe, rod and reel only, on Sunday, October 5, with a 9am draw at the Red Lion car park in Bottesford.

A man and woman will face trial after pleading not guilty to fraud by offering car parts for sale on Ebay.

Lee Anthony Charles, 32, and Frankie O’Connor, 29, both of Harby Close, Grantham, deny trying to make £390 by offering the parts on the internet between April 3 and April 10 last year.

They face trial at Grantham Magistrates Court on November 26. Miss O’Connor denies another allegation of fraud by offering a dress for sale and trying to gain £154 between April 3 and April 30 last year. She will face another trial at Grantham on December 17.

A Georgian man was caught stealing a router from Currys after driving up from London.

Zurab Pochkidze, 32, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the theft which took place on September 12.

Prosecuting, Marie Stace said that at 4.20pm a group of men were seen acting suspiciously on the Dysart Road retail park.

Pochkidze got out of a rental car and was later seen leaving Currys with a bag which he gave to another man.

The vehicle left but was stopped a short distance away. The router, which was stocked by Currys, was found in the boot.

Miss Stace said Pochkidze had said he was on his way to Scotland with others and they had decided to stop in Grantham for a rest. The theft was a spur of the moment decision.

Defending, Julian Sheen told the court that the defendant had been in the UK for 10 months and was a Georgian national. he had a wife and child in the former Soviet republic and had come to the UK looking for work, but due to bad health and language problems he had struggled to find a job.

Mr Sheen said his client had been seen by immigration officials over the weekend and they had told him they will be sending him home. he said Pochkidze had spent three nights in the cells.

The magistrates gave Pochkidze three days in custody and he was allowed to go free because of time served. No costs were awarded.

Vazha Jojua, 26, of Old Bethnall Green Road, London, and Pavlos Pourtselatze, 28, of Dagenham, both pleaded not guilty to theft at Currys in Grantham on September 12. Jojua also denied going equipped for theft. They face trial on January 7.

Both were granted bail on condition they reported to their local police stations three times a week, surrendered their passports and did not enter Lincolnshire except to see a solicitor or attend court.

Sixteen athletes from Grantham AC were selected to represent Lincolnshire in the under-13 and under-15 Seven Counties match at Hull last Saturday – the highest from any one club in the county.

Personal best performances were achieved by under-13s Amy Hunt in the 200m, Angela Halton in long jump, and Gareth Lee in 75m hurdles.

In the under-15 age group, PBs were recorded by Morgan Holmes in the discus, William Tucker and Ethan Richards-Cole in 1500m, and Aaron Hunt in 800m. Seven of the Grantham athletes will be in the same age group again next year.

Amy Hunt produced an outstanding peerformance of 26.4sec to win the under-13 girls 200m, placing her top of the UK rankings.

In her first season of athletics, Amy is ranked third in the UK at 100m and fifth in the 150m, and has set county records in all those events.

Results: under-13 girls, 100m - 3A Amy Hunt 13.0s; 200m - 1A Amy Hunt 26.4s pb; 70m hurdles - 5B Frances Sheard 13.2s; 800m - 6A Helen Braybrook 2m 37.3s; long jump - 4A Angela Halton 4.22m pb.

Under-15 girls, 100m - 3B Abbie Byron 13.6s; 1500m - 5B Saskia Hunt 5m 55.9s; 75m hurdles - 7A Francesca Wilson 12.8s; long jump - 7A Hannah Sharp 4.42m; discus - 5A Morgan Holmes 19.89m pb; shot - 6A Abbie Byron 7.67m, 7B Morgan Holmes 5.69m.

Under-13 boys, 100m - 7A Gareth Lee 14.0s; 200m - 7A Gareth Lee 29.3s; 75m hurdles - 5A Gareth Lee 14.3s pb.

Under-15 boys, 100m - 4A Sam Cartwright 12.0s; 200m - 4B Sam Cartwright 25.5s; 300m - 6A Oliver Jakes 40.9s; 800m - 3A Oliver Jakes 2m 11.3s, 6B Aaron Hunt 2m 24.7s pb; 1500m - 6A William Tucker 4m 41.1s pb, 5B 4m 46.5s pb; 80m hurdles - 7A Lewis Davey 13.8s; high jump - 7A Lewis Davey 1.45m; javelin - 4B Ethan Richards-Cole 29.15m.

A BMX bike has been stolen from a property in Sudbrook.

The bike was reported stolen on September 20 from a property in Heath Farm Close. If anybody has any information on the bike they should call police on 101, quoting incident number 411 of September 20.

Police are also investigating the theft of piping from a front garden overnight on September 19 in Hough Road, Frieston. Any information to police on 101, quoting incident number 236 of September 20.

Police are warning motorists to secure their vehicles following a theft in the Cliffe Road area of Grantham.

The theft happened yesterday. A police spokesman said: “Please do not leave valuables in the car on show. Remember to lock your vehicle and take all valuable items out of the car. If you see anything suspicious please call 101 or your local NPT team.”

Witham Wheelers’ Jennifer McAndrew last Sunday added the junior women’s National Circuit Championship time trial title to the National 25 title she won earlier in the season

The 33-kilometre event was on a rolling course near Loughborough, with the hills on the second of the two laps taking their toll on riders’ legs.

Jennifer blasted round the course and was 40 seconds up on her nearest rival after one lap and finished a clear one-and-a-half minutes ahead of her in 53min 1sec to be crowned National Circuit Champion.

Jennifer’s time would have been good enough to give her sixth place in the senior women’s race which was won by Dame Sarah Storey.

Jennifer’s brother Robert won his age category in the junior men’s race, recording 57.48 to record more than 20mph on a very hard course.

Robert also rode the previous day in the GHS 10 for the fastest schoolchildren in Great Britain.

He rode strongly to finish third in his age category with a time of 27.32 for the Six Hills course.

l Adam Egner and Robert McAndrew represented Wheelers in the youth race at the Ancaster cyclo-cross on Sunday.

Adam made a mess of the start but soon overtook a group in the headwind and found himself trying to reel people in for the remainder of the 30-minute race, finishing eighth overall and sixth in his age group. Robert finished just outside the top 10.

In the under-10/12 race, Witham Wheelers were strongly represented with eight riders. Billy Reed battled against a series of mechanicals to finish a strong second under-10 and 16th overall. Max Moore was close behind in 17th. Beth McLoughlin outsprinted Tazmin Brown to finish fourth and fifth girls.

Mazel Brown was first under-10 girl, an incredible race for her first cyclo cross event. Other finishers were Callum East, Jack Simpson and Leo Moore.

Finally, Darren Reed, Reece Egner, Alistair Golby, Dave Miller and Graham McAndrew took part in the 60-minute senior race with more than 100 riders.

Best finisher was Darren who managed to get through the traffic and get into a good position early on, finishing third MTB rider. Next was Reece with Dave not too far behind. Alistair pulled out after a crash, as did Graham.

l Seven Wheelers took part in the VTTA 25 on the A46 course at Flintham.

James Westwood recorded his first sub-hour ride in 59.25. Gary Symons recorded a PB 56.57, Pete Watson 57.34, Jon Beere 58.12, Martin Hedley a frustrating 1.00.03, Tony Hardenberg 1.04.17, and Dave Herd 1.07.46.

Saturday’s town centre festival transformation starts on Thursday evening and culminates in an explosive finale.

It’s a programme of giant puppets, light and dance shows, music, busking and juggling, St Wulfram’s transformed into Space Station Grantham, children’s entertainment and laboratories engineering mysterious, pulsating experiments and huge Giant of Science emerging for Saturday’s show-stopper.

On Thursday evening the Chantry Dance Company premieres its amazing Chasing the Eclipse celestial dance spectacle at 7.45pm and 9pm in the Market Place, a promise of things to come.

In Conduit Lane the Volatile Light exhibition from IOU spills outside into light painting.

On the Friday evening, St Peter’s Hill becomes a giant theatre stage – literally – with a mysterious laboratory springing up thanks to London based outdoor arts company Emergency Exit Arts. Local performers join eminent scientists as they feed their experiment with knowledge mined from previous generations.

In neighbouring Abbey Gardens, Catalan artists Titeretu will display five giant puppeteer hands made of iron and wood...with a chance for the audience to take control.

Saturday’s road closures allow the festival to take over the centre of town with a compelling mix of science displays from the George Centre to St Wulfram’s Church, Grantham Museum, and the Conduit Market stores.

At 5pm historic silk banners process from St Wulfram’s to St Peter’s Hill to mark the end of the In Newton’s Footsteps walks - and the ever popular Dizzy O’Dare opens their Museum and the Wonderful World of Mr E.

Main evening events begin at 7pm with Chasing the Eclipse returning to the Market Place, surrounded by a special food and craft market and fringe events promising music and ntertainment.

On St Peter’s Hill an apothecary encampment offers Higgler’s Eye Magic and a meeting with Jack’s doctor of physic apothecary.

And, finally, the laboratories give birth to their Giants of Science aided by 1,000 students, local children and community groups and a procession reaching the High Street at 9pm.

Kesteven’s first team, second string and under-17s all defeated Mellish at the weekend.

Midlands League 3

East (North)

Kesteven 77

Mellish 0

Kesteven welcomed Mellish to Woodnook for the first home game of the season and got off to the best possible start when Whittaker got the ball on half way and raced away to open the scoring with a try in the first minute. Wood kicked the conversion to give the home team an early seven point lead.

A break out down the blindside saw Wood get the ball on half way. A neat chip ahead and the ball landed at James Cowley’s feet. He controlled the ball perfectly by kicking ahead and won the race to the line for a well executed try.

Five minutes later, Wood again was the provider, releasing James Goodrich who powered through the defence to score. Two minutes after that, Dingley read the game perfectly and put in an astute kick for Taylor to pick up and run in.

The rest of the half saw Kesteven’s dominance continue. Turner picked up a good pass from Cowley following a lineout for the fifth try, and then slick handling between Cowley and Turner saw Sayle go over. Wood added two conversions.

Dingley stole the ball from a Mellish scrum to feed Turner who gave a classy pass to Jepson to score. Just on half time, Whittaker and Taylor linked up for the former to run in for his secod try. Wood’s conversion took the half time score to 48-0.

Soon after the second half started, a mesmerising piece of handling in midfield released Purvis on a powerful run which ended with Turner taking the scoring pass and finishing off the move.

Following a sterile 15 minutes, the Mellish scrum creaked once more and Draper pounced as the ball spun backwards in goal and got the touch for the try.

Whittaker completed his hat trick with another individual try before Taylor took a pass from Turner to score a classic winger’s try. Not to be outdone, Jepson completed the scoring on the other wing following a break by Goodrich. Wood converted two of these tries.

Kesteven: Odams, Sheardown, Purvis, Cowley, Pert, Webster (c), Sayle, Turner, Dingley, Wood, Taylor, Goodrich, Ede, Jepson, Whittaker. Reps: Woolerton, Draper, Lines.

Notts Pennant League

Group 2

Mellish 2nd 0

Kesteven 2nd 83

The game could not have started worse as the kick off failed to go the regulation 10 metres and this gave the huge Mellish pack an attacking scrum on the half way line.

But this would prove to be the last time the home team had any foothold in the game as Kesteven hooked the scrum against the head and set about demolishing their opposition.

It took all of four minutes for Kesteven to find their way to the try line with Ben Addlesee crossing after great work from the forwards created the overlap. From the kick off K’s again won the ball and continued to attack Mellish at every opportunity.

Veteran full back Rob Windsor was next to score with the youngsters in the back line showing great maturity and selflessness to work the ball wide.

Fly half Phil Fletcher time and again found a way to free young wing Andy Cartwright who ran in a quickfire hat trick before half time. Also on the try scoring chart before half time were Fletcher and Ben Betts.

Mellish did look to threaten at one point but just as they thought they may gain some reward, prop Mark Clift-Hill ripped the ball on the 22 metre line and showed superb speed to race unopposed to the try line.

After the break, it did not take long for Cartwright to find some space and almost in the blink of an eye he scored another two tries to take his tally to five. Addlesee completed a senior brace before the end of the third quarter.

It was fitting that it was the young stars of the day that set up the grandstand finish, as first Cartwright showed great awareness to pop up in midfield and score a sixth, and then Fletcher, following an audacious side step, continued the move to take the scoring pass himself, with Cartwright on hand to score an unbelievable seventh try for an outstanding personal performance.

Not to be outdone by his younger team-mates, Betts scored his second and the side’s 15th try to end the contest.

Kesteven: P. Dolan, Knibbs, M. Clift-Hill, A. Clift-Hill, Bloodworth, Vincent, Armstrong, Peabody, Morgan, Fletcher, Betts, Jordan, Addlesee, Cartwright, Windsor, Reps: Danford, R. Dolan, Midgley, Charles.

Under-17

Mellish 7

Kesteven 31

Kesteven faced up to a strong looking Mellish squad and quickly trailed by an early converted try. The Ks scrum struggled to hold Mellish but with excellent defensive play, they stifled the Mellish attacks.

This discipline was soon rewarded with Simmons breaking the line and the supporting Lyle running through to score. Mawer’s kick was good.

Confidence had returned and a quickly taken penalty by Mawer saw him run round the Mellish wing and dive into the corner.

The second half saw the Ks dominate play, with the scrum learning how to counter the Mellish strength and,in defence, limiting Mellish’s attempts to break out.

Ks began to find gaps and were rewarded when Potts twisted through to score by the posts. Mawer kicked the extra points. Campbell then chipped through to score, and again the conversion attempt was good.

Ks finished a strong, tactically astute game with a flowing back play across the pitch with winger Del Brocco breaking three tackles to score.

Kesteven: Stewart, Harding, Blankney, Key, Jakes, Morrison, Minter, Potts, Mawer, Campbell, Del Brocco, Simmons, Lyle, Coyle, Mallinson. Reps: Knott, Wright, Henderson.