11:32am Friday 12th March 2010
Kettering 16 pts Hereford 18
IN similar fashion to their earlier clash with Kettering at Wyeside, Hereford produced a spirited second half performance to turn a half-time deficit into a win.
After a lethargic first 40 minutes, which saw them trailing 16-0 at the break, Hereford took control of the game after the turnaround and edged home to frustrate the home side and compound their National 3 Midlands relegation worries.
Hereford made a slow start to the game and failed to penetrate the Kettering 22 during the first quarter. The home side capitalised on the lack-lustre performance to establish a commanding lead.
Kettering were 10-0 up after 16 minutes, adding a converted try to an earlier penalty. They went further ahead in the 26th minute from a second penalty which was given when Ben Hillstead was penalised and shown a yellow card.
Hereford saw out the rest of Hillstead’s spell in the sin-bin, but then fell further behind just before the break when the home side kicked their third penalty. The visitors looked a different side in the second half.
Dean Powell started the revival with a penalty following a sustained spell of pressure. Kieram Hallam gained possession after the Wyesiders had secured a lineout close to the home line and reduced the deficit to eight points with an unconverted try.
It was Kettering’s turn to infringe as Hereford piled on the pressure. Powell converted a second penalty and then Kettering were down to 14 men when their centre was yellow-carded.
Jamie Bullock capped an excellent performance by charging over for a try to level the score, and Powell kicked the conversion to put the visitors into a slender lead. Kettering attacked in the closing stages but Hereford held on to secure the win.
There were added plusses for Hereford, with Laurie Jenkins making an encouraging debut in the back row and Owen Lawrence coming off the bench for a first appearance in the second half.
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