Recap
Kempston returned to Merit league action this weekend against local rivals Bedford Swifts. With Swifts fielding a very strong side, Kempston knew that they had to bring their A game. Before the game, captain John Higginson and chairman Alex Redford called for three things – pride for the badge, passion and to play for each other. And boy did they.
Kempston raced into a 7-0 lead in the early going with Ewan Casey going over, Ross MacMullen adding the extras. From then on it was all Swifts. Kempston were camped on their own 22 for the majority of the rest of the first half and it was only through some resolute defending and last ditch tackles that the score remained in Kempstons favour. The Swifts pressure finally gave them rewards, as they scored a try in the corner to make the score 7–5.
After the break two tries from Swifts made the score 7-17, but at no point did the lads give up and they knew that one moment would change the momentum. That moment came with a charge down from a kick in the Swifts 22 which bounced kindly for Gaspard who scored to make it 12-17. With Ross and John Higginson off the pitch, we needed a kicker, so second row Yoan stepped up and slotted the kick to make it 14-17. With a renewed sense of belief, two more tries from Ewan Casey to complete his hat trick turned the score around to make it 24-17. With time running out, a late Swifts try made it a tense last few minutes but the final whistle went and the celebrations began. Final score 24-22.
A huge result for Kempston, not just in the context of the league but it was a huge result for the club. 12 months ago, Kempston didn’t have any league fixtures and we had to start from scratch. With a change in focus, lots of new players over the summer and a whole new positive vibe at the club, we are moving forward in the right ways.
Chairman Alex Redford said after the game, “This was by far our best team performance of the season. They way we incorporated what we have been doing in training and kept the belief was great to see. It was a hard hitting game against a very good and experienced Swifts side, so it feels great to get the win.”
Coach Richard Fairhead said, “After a frenetic 1st half where passion and haste dictated the pace of the game we regrouped and played as a team, patiently and intelligently in the the 2nd period to regain and maintain the lead. Best performance of the season to date.”
Man of the match – Yoan for tackling everything that moved and for slotting his conversion
Dingus of the day – Ewan Casey – despite scoring an excellent hat trick, he could have had a fourth but he dropped the ball on the line
Kit sponsored by TOA Sports