Broadstreet 9 (Pens: Brown 3.) 

Scunthorpe 17 (Tries: Foster, Coult. Cons: Robinson 2. Pen: Robinson.) 

The last League game of the season with Street giving a start to some of their up and coming players. Chris Brown was the first to score with a penalty on one minute, with Scunthorpe replying  10 minutes later with a try by  Jimmy Bullock and conversion by Tim Robinson   score 3-7

The rest of the half was all Street but Scunthorpe held on, and except for a kicked  penalty by Brown finished the half  at Broadstreet 6  Scunthorpe 7

Street’ were caught on the back foot in the second half with Scunthorpe touching down and converting within 2 minutes of the start to make the score 6-14.

The rest of the half was poor with chances being missed on both sides apart from a kicked penalty each, to bring the final score to Broadstreet 9 Scunthorpe 17

Bromsgrove 27 (Tries: Copson, Arnold, Stockholm, Malin. Cons: Bailey 2. Pen: Bailey.) 

Walsall 24 (Tries: Dickson, Weston, Samkaradze. Cons: Barneix 3. Pen: Barneix.) 

A typical end of season game at Finstall Park, with both teams showing a lack of any real passion. There were moments of flowing rugby, but both teams were also guilty of several handling errors. The hosts must have been pleased with the start they made. Tries from scrum half Copson and hooker Arnold gave them a 10-0 lead with less than fifteen minutes played. The visitors responded well, and with conditions in their favour, they dominated the rest of the half. A fine break by winger Mould created a try for No8 Rod Dickson. Centre Neil Weston then cut through for the next. Further enterprising Walsall play saw scrum half Samkaradze skip through for another try. Pierre Barneix converted all three, and also put over a penalty to complete the scoring for Walsall. The hosts used the slope well during the second half, and had an early score when winger Richard Stockholm was given the space to go over. Ian Bailey put over the conversion and it seemed as if Bromsgrove would go on to secure a comfortable victory. But Walsall defended well, and they were rather unlucky to concede a try with only five minutes left. Dan Malin eventually receiving a simple pass to score. Bailey put over the conversion and then a late, late controversial penalty to win the game.

Kettering 22 (Tries: Percival 2, Bartley. Cons: T Jones 2. Pen: T Jones.) 

Derby 12 (Tries: Dove, Ratcliffe. Con: Ratcliffe.) 

Kettering have been in Midlands 1 now, believe it or not for just two seasons and for the second time running they have finished the season as runners up, and now again as they did last year the Club has the chance of promotion to the National Leagues through the end of season play offs next Saturday when they visit Hull Ionians, runners up in North 1. To get to play National League rugby next season at Waverley Road though they have to overcome all the odds – no Midlands club has ever won a play off against a side from the North, and even when they get there the odds of survival for a Midlands club in National 3 North are pretty slim, as seen by the three clubs getting relegated this season, Rugby Lions, Dudley Kingswinford and Bedford Athletic. But the Kettering side are determined, like last year against Cleckheaton to give it a go and with their ‘Barmy Army’ already filling two coaches next Saturday they certainly won’t be without support whatever the result!

To get to next weeks game Kettering first had to get a point against Derby at Waverley Road and as predicted in the paper on Friday the Derby side came for a win themselves in the knowledge that they had to win and hope that Whitchurch lost, for them to have any chance of staying up and for the first forty minutes they gave the ‘Blues’ a bit of a fright!

Kettering had one change to their selected line up, Paul Gibson failing a late fitness test and Luca Rodger replacing him on the bench, and the enforced changes to the teams line up after the previous weeks injuries were apparent from the start. Derby were quick to seize upon the number of early errors and they took the lead with a converted try after just 5 minutes, both sides then proceeded to create and somehow miss good scoring chances before Tim Jones reduced the deficit with a penalty after 23 minutes. Then in the space of ten minutes it looked as though Kettering’s season was to come to a complete stop – first Jim Groome was sin binned and while he was off the field Nathaniel Foster was red carded for what the referee deemed foul play although it was retaliation. Kettering were for a period at sixes and sevens, and just as they thought they had weathered the storm and reached the safety of half time Derby scored a second try, although the only person who thought it was a score was the referee as the ball had been clearly held up by the home sides defence, but it counted and Kettering went into the second half with a seemingly mountain to climb.

Half Time: Kettering 3 Derby UKD 12

Kettering new they were up against it as the second half began but to their credit it was difficult to se that they were a man short as players worked like fury to overcome the deficit. Players like Mike Watson, Tom Spencer and Bill Drake-Lee played as though there was two of them and Derby never took any form of control of the game, as they perhaps should have done.

This obviously gave Kettering heart and they were rewarded for all their effort after 23 minutes of the half as they again attacked the Derby line and this time Gareth Bartley somehow found his way over the line for the try – now it was game on!

With the game moving into the last ten minutes Kettering somehow sensed that Derby were there for the taking and so it proved, and the hero was centre Paul Percival who had already tackled himself to a standstill, but who now turned try scorer with six minutes to go, and with Tim Jones adding the extras Kettering were in front for the first time at 15 – 12. With the clock running down and Kettering’s supporters wishing for the final whistle it was all getting rather tense but there was no need to worry as into injury time the ‘Blues’ sealed the victory as the Percival/Jones combination again added a precious seven points and for Derby there was no way back. One more play, the ball ended in touch and the referee blew for full time – Kettering were again in the play offs and the players and supporters rejoiced long into the night.

Whatever happens next Saturday at Hull Ionians this has been another wonderful season for the 1st team squad, league runners up, East Midlands and East Northants Cup winners, and whichever league they are playing in come September they will be looking to do as well as they can once again.

Final Score: Kettering 22 Derby UKD 12

Longton 25 (Tries: S Rawlings 2, M Green. Cons: T Wheat 2. Pens: T Wheat 2.) 

Dunstablians 18 (Tries: Swart 2, Myburg. Pen: Loxton.) 

Longton produced a vastly improved performance from last weeks disappointing cup final to beat Dunstablians 25-18 at Roughcote Lane on Saturday. However, Derby failed to upset Kettering leaving the potteries men in third place, which although disappointing is still commendable after reaching the halfway point of the season midtable.
This was a hugely entertaining game, played on a firm surface on a glorious early spring afternoon, and both sides set out to play an open game. In total contrast to last weeks pedestrian, one dimensional showing, Longton played more like they are used to, with backs and forwards linking and the
rucking carried out with much more dynamism.
It was the visitors however who had the better of the early exchanges and the pace and movement of the ball had the home side in disarray. Several sweeping moves pinned the home side back and it was only some last ditch tackling that kept them out, but the pressure eventually told and the visitors scored an unconverted try. The score had a galvanising effect on Longton who seemed to find another gear by sweeping towards the Dunstablians line. The pack rucked well and the ball came out to Scott Rawlings who powered his way over the line for a try that was converted by Tony Wheat for a 7-5 lead.
However the lead wasn't to last long as the ambitious visitors attacked at every opportunity. Dunstablians are well known for the ambition of their game and didn't disappoint as full back Bradshaw, winger Webb and elusive fly half Loxton broke through on a number of occasions. A penalty gave them an 8-7 lead before Loxton's break led to a try in the corner for centre Swart. The score and the general quality of Dunstablians attack meant things looked bleak for the homeside as they trailed 13-7 at halftime.
The second half however was a different story as Longton took the game by the scruff of the neck, showing huge pride and character to earn the victory.
Longton's pack rediscovered its bite to provide quality ball for the backs and the ball reached Nik Wiggins on his return from the injury that cruelly interupted his devastating early season form. Wiggins powered down the
touchline drawing the fullback before popping the ball to Matt Green who crossed for an unconverted try. Green had an outstanding match, covering every blade of grass like a good openside should and completing an excellent first season at this level.
Longton's tails were now up and the pack began crashing into Dunstablians, the likes of Craig Wilson and skipper Tim Wood being particularly involved, forcing a penalty which Tony Wheat slotted for a 15-13 lead. Further pressure led to another successful Wheat penalty and an 18-13 lead.
Dunstablians refused to lie down and had their fair share of attacking opportunities but last ditch defence kept them out and midway through the half the home side delivered the killer blow. Another strong surge from the
pack produced good ball for the backs and Rawlings cut a lovely angle to split the defence before using his power to crash over the line for his 17th try of the season, a great effort from the 18 year old in his first full
season of first team rugby. Tony Wheat’s conversion pushed the score out to 25-13.
The remainder of the game was spent defending more relentless Dunstablians pressure and the whole team deserve credit for continuously knocking back the attacks. With 5 minutes to play however Dunstablians took advantage of a Longton sin binning to work an over lap for Swart to score, reducing the deficit to 25-18. A tense final few minutes followed but Longton weren't to be denied and skipper Wood was granted a fine victory in his last match as captain.
Longton deserve great credit for bouncing back from last week’s disappointment to produce a gutsy, committed display and the visitors are also to be commended for their part in an entertaining game of rugby.

Luctonians 17 (Tries: Garrod, Marfell. Cons: Wheadon 2. Pen: Wheadon.) 

Leicester Lions 13. (Try: Bennett. Con: Cassell. Pens: Cassell 2  ) 

Report from Luctonians website.

Leicester Lions lost only their second Midlands One match of the season as Lucs reversed the 29 – nil defeat in December and provided scrum half Steve Saint with the ideal finale in this, his last league match as club captain. The sides were too evenly matched to provide a spectacle of running rugby but there was enough action and excitement to provide quality entertainment for the capacity crowd.

Leicester exerted the early pressure and dominated both territory and possession. But the Lucs defence held firm and the visitors were forced to settle for a tenth minute penalty from fly half Lee Cassell. Lucs riposte was immediate. A chip through to the corner by centre Effron Heather was scrambled into touch by the visitors and from Lucs line out possession the pack drove over for prop Anthony Marfell to get the touch down. Full back Jeremy Wheadon added the conversion and Lucs had taken a lead they would not relinquish.

Lucs added a second try in the twenty second minute when Leicester turned over possession in midfield and Heather threaded a kick through for right wing Andy Garrod to run onto and cross at the corner. Wheadon added a superb touch line conversion and Lucs appeared to be pulling away. Within minutes quick hands saw wing Mark Panniers cross in the left corner but he was bundled into touch in goal before he could ground the ball and Leicester had saved a certain five points. But, despite the pressure, the visitors retained their composure, as befits league champions, and hit back with a try of their own before half time. A quickly taken line out by Lucs saw Leicester wing Dave Bennett intercept in midfield and scamper in under the posts. Lee converted and added a second penalty before half time for Lucs to turn around at the break with a slender 14 points to 13 lead.

Lucs were in control at the start of the second half but, much like Leicester in the first, failed to cross the line and came away in the tenth minute with only a Wheadon penalty to show for their endeavours. But his proved to be the final score as defences continued to dominate and with an undercurrent of niggle entering the proceedings the match somewhat lost its shape.

Lucs fully deserved their victory but the Leicester performance must give some cause for concern. Recent Midlands One history has demonstrated that the step up into national league rugby is a significant one and unless Leicester can strengthen their squad their visit to Three North might well prove to be both difficult and fleeting.

Mansfield 0 (.) 

Whitchurch 38 (Tries: Lear 2, Lewis, Dunn, Crank. Cons:  C Hares 2. Pens: C Hares 3.) 

Report courtesy of Mansfield.

The curtain finally came down on Mansfield’s league season on Saturday ending their adventure and experience of life in the professional strewn Midlands One. Another defeat meant they had harvested just one win and two points from the campaign and yet the spirit and dogged determination to play out every minute of that season remained to the end.

The instances of sides suffering the drop and bouncing straight back  are many in recent years and Saturday saw Luton crowned as Champions a year after swapping places with Mansfield having secured just one point all season. Around Eakring Road the murmur of ‘We’ll be back’ was mixed with earnest planning for this weekends County Cup Final.

This was a must win game for Whitchurch, still in danger of the drop, and under the surveillance of spies from Derby. In the end they comfortably took care of their own destiny, but not without some jitters in a closely contested first half. Making maximum use of the strong breeze at their back Whitchurch used long kicks to gain territory but Pike and Harrison combined to ensure the Mansfield line out became a steady source of possession.

Where the visitors could bring their three quarters into play the tackling of Wagstaff, Rushby and Storey, in his first full game of the season, ensured no way through. When they did open the scoring on seven minutes it came from a well worked blindside drive.

Jones at fly half mixed astute kicks and a desire to bring the backs into play. That allowed Bacon on his full debut opportunity to show his speed and the centre was unlucky not to collect his own up and under as the opposition hesitated. Such are the vagaries of the game at this level that within seconds he too had to show his tackling skills. Holmes was sharpest in the loose and Drury developed the crash ball with Robinson to test the heart of the Whitchurch defence.

On the half hour, despite taking a ball against the head Mansfield played themselves into trouble then exacerbated a penalty decision with comments to the referee that simplified the kick and pushed the Shropshire side eight points in front. Turning round with that score would have left the Blue and Whites marginal favourites but two minutes from the break a try wide out tipped the balance.

Snuffing out any hopes of a comeback with two more penalties in the first six minutes of the second half Whitchurch could count on their league position being secure and Mansfield looked to pointers for the future. Buchanan, Lindsey and Stringfellow combined off the back row, Smedley gained yards and directed the rolling mauls, Bacon proved his speed will be a threat and a combination of Storey and replacement Williams nearly undid the visitors.