Midlands League 3
East (North)
Mellish 0
Kesteven 33
Kesteven travelled to Mellish looking for a win to keep the pressure on at the top of the league. Rob Cooper and Doug Hayward made their first starts of the season, and James Goodrich made a welcome return, all following long injury spells.
Mellish started the game well and came out firing. They dominated the breakdown early on and forced Kesteven to concede a number of penalties at the set piece. Fortunately for the visitors, the Mellish kicker was having an off day and missed three early kicks at goal.
Eventually, Kesteven settled into the game and caused the home side problems when they ran the ball out wide. A couple of chances were created, but a combination of the final ball not going to hand and some strong Mellish defence prevented any scoring and the half finished scoreless.
The second half started in the same vein and it looked like a close game was on the cards. The deadlock was finally broken when Turner took a quick tap and broke through to score. Parker kicked the conversion.
Mellish came back and put Kesteven under pressure on their own try line. Fortunately a charged down kick found its way to Keiran Taylor who ran the ball up to halfway and relieved the pressure. Some good forward play resulted in a try for Hayward, following a number of short drives. The try was converted to give Kesteven a 14-0 cushion going into the final 15 minutes.
When Turner broke away from halfway to score his second, the game was won. Taylor added two late tries to secure the bonus point and give the score line a slightly flattering look in what had been a tough game.
The first of Taylor’s tries was a long run in from a loose Mellish pass, and the second was a good finish following some good play from Ks’ back line.
Kesteven: Whittaker, Taylor, Cooper, Goodrich, P. Jordan, Parker, Lines, Sheardown, Hayward, Purvis, Pert, Cowley, Flear, Turner, Woolerton. Reps: Midgley, Carew, O Hughes.