Bounce back - what a difference a week can make

A much changed Kesteven side from that we overcame earlier in the season. With Tom Packer out for the season, grateful to Tom John stepping into the breach at 9 and Alex Jones on the flank.

Kesteven were clearly up for this game arriving early with a full bench and plenty of support out to avenge the early season loss and the 1st time we had beaten Kesteven away for many a year.

An excellent start with a great hanging kick from Anthony Thomas giving the forwards just what they wanted and getting into Kesteven straight away. Although playing into the wind, Bingham kept Kesteven in their own half and were rewarded with an early penalty in front of the posts but quickly taken and held up – would we rue the decision not to get early points on the board especially as Kesteven then had a 10 minute patch of intense pressure but Bingham showed the intensity in contact that was lacking last week.

The Bingham Forwards were exerting some terrific pressure in the scrums and loose not allowing Kesteven any time to launch attacks and to use their backs and with solid ball on our own line out and scrum, confidence was in the air.

Following a short line and quick ball off the top, Anthony Thomas playing at 10 made the first of several breaks today and whilst Kesteven cleared, Alex Jones collected and ran back positively breaking tackles and linked with Ben McGill before being awarded a penalty. This time, although a harder kick further out was taken a slotted by Anthony Thomas.

Kesteven came back and within 10 mins were level at 3 – 3 and half time came. An excellent half playing into the wind and held firm after a period of intense pressure.

The 2nd half carried on from the 1st with some great play and defence from both sides. Andy Birznieks and Chris Garrod in Midfield kept everything at bay and with Nick Green, Nick Halstead and Will North returning kicks all was looking promising especially with Anthony Thomas growing in confidence putting in some great kicks keeping play in the Kesteven half. Bingham took the lead with a penalty which again was given back as the score moved to 6 – 6.

A line out on the Kesteven 10m and Anthony Thomas cut back to the forwards linking with Pete Mount and eventually to Nick Green to score in the corner for his debut try. Anthony gets a cracking conversion to take it to 13 – 6.

Lee Stokoe gets a yellow for not retreating 10 after another period of Bingham pressure and a tough period looms.

The forwards kept up the pressure with some intense tackling with Alex Jones having a stormer and sure the Kesteven Scrum half would back that up. Kesteven put in a big kick and Nick Halstead runs back to collect and starts off on an electric run from one side of the pitch to the other linking with Andy Birznieks but with 40m still to go, Biz gets round the 1st 2 defenders and close to the touch, Will North cuts inside to take a pass and has the legs to make the last 20m for what could be the try of the season. 18 – 6

Anthony makes another half break and Chris Garrod sets off to the line but good defence from Kesteven. Chris having to leave the field with an injury required Alex to cover at centre and an edgy last 10 minutes as Kesteven tried to get a score but last ditch defending kept the line intact and gain a well-deserved win 18 – 6 and great to see Glenn Sutton back from his most recent tour of Afghanistan