A cracking hat-trick of tries from Jacobs as depleted Peterborough RUFC won impressively at Kettering.

The city were forced into several changes with regular players sidelines by injuries. Stu Day returned to the side for his first game since September, Jacobs was back from injury, while Tom Downer, Dan Foreman and James Prewer came into the side after some impressive performances for the club second team.

Borough went on the attack from the first whistle and were camped in the home side’s 22 for the majority of the first-half apart from the odd breakout by Kettering.

Borough's first try came after they overturned Kettering's put in at a five-metre scrum. Prop Chris Sykes managed to hook the ball against the head, quick reacting number 8 Will Bell broke from the base and was stopped just short of the tryline, but managed to off load to hard running Jacobs who forced his way over to score.

Stand-in kicker Harry Anderson converted to give Borough a well deserved lead,7-0. The rest of the half saw Borough dominate possession and territory but due to some poor decision making couldn't add any more points. At half-time the visiting side were very frustrated, but were also encouraged by head coach Sam Crooks to have patience and to be a bit more clinical.

And from the re-start Borough picked up where they left off. They crossed again from their first real attack as Jacobs ran through three home defenders to score his second try and again it was converted by Anderson.

Then from the kick-off scrum half Tom Kemp kicked over the defence for winger Downer to re-gather and outpace the defence to score. Anderson again converted by Anderson to make it 21-0.

With Borough in complete control, it was just a matter of time before they scored again and it was that man Jacobs who broke the Kettering defensive live to go through to complete a hat-trick of tries. Anderson converted again to end the day with four conversions from four attempts.

The rest of the game became a stop-start affair before Kettering managed a consolation try and conversion in the final minute.

Borough remain in fifth place, the final play-off position, eight points ahead of neighbours Stamford who have a game in hand which takes place next Saturday (February 7) at third-placed Northampton Old Scouts. Stamford won 31-23 at Oadby Wyggstonians yesterday.

Standings: 1 Market Harborough P16 73pts, 2 Broadstreet P16 61pts, 3 Northampton Old Scouts P15 61pts, 4 Bedford Athletic P16 59pts, 5 PRUFC P16 51 pts, 6 Stamford P15 43pts, 7 Kettering P16 42pts, 8 Oadby W P16 30pts, 9 Olney P16 28pts, 10 Daventry P16 25pts, 11 Old Coventrians P16 20pts, 12 Wellingborough P16 7pts.

Borough director of rugby Shane Manning said: “We are really pleased with the win as we don't win often at Kettering. Our scrum functioned well and we dominated possession and territory.

"Tom Downer was our man of the match. It was his first game for the first team this season and he didn't look out of place. The lads have another week off now before we host league leaders Market Harborough. It doesn't get any tougher than that. They are the best team in the league and are where we want to be so the lads get to match themselves up against some top players. We have nothing to lose so we need to go out and have a go at them."

The game against Harborough takes place at Fortress Fengate on Saturday, February 14.

Peterborough Lions were without a game in Counties 2 Midlands East South. They return to action on February 14 at Old Laurentians.