Sat 25 Feb 2023
Saturday’s Regional 1 Midlands league fixture was an opportunity for Kenilworth to extend their unbeaten run and strengthen their credentials as a top 6 side; whilst for the hosts Nuneaton, it was another shot at picking up league points in their attempt to avoid relegation. Nuneaton won 37 points to 15.
For Kenilworth, this fixture was all about focussing on ourselves and what we do, the Blue and Golds knowing that if we could achieve this, then the hosts would not be able to live with us. Being a local derby, we were absolutely expecting physicality from the impassioned Nuneaton players and so it proved in the early minutes, Nuneaton playing into the wind, with the home forwards taking the early spoils with some heavy carries into the Kenilworth ranks. Despite this, it was Kenilworth who opened the scoring after Nuneaton failed to clear their lines, the ball eventually found its way to Mike Ryan who crashed over for a converted try, with around 10 minutes gone. Score 0-7.
Within 5 minutes from the restart, Nuneaton’s physicality and energy levels, already a telling difference between the two teams, took play deep into the Kenilworth 22m and saw Kenilworth penalised at the breakdown; Kenilworth were slow to react from the quick tap and Nuneaton brought the scores level. Score 7-7.
The following half hour of rugby was characteristic of the game, scrappy and error-ridden for both sides. Kenilworth full back Morgan kicked over a penalty to take the score to 7-10 before Nuns scored their second and third tries of the game, both by capitalising on Kenilworth’s disjointed attack and uncharacteristic one up rugby- both easy pickings for the ‘up for it’ Nuneaton. Score 17-10, with around 10 minutes to go until half time.
Before the half was out, Nuneaton scored and converted their fourth and bonus point try of the game, to extend the score to 10-24. Half time.
After our worst 40 minutes of rugby this season, skipper Bobby Thompson and Head Coach Phil Boulton reminded their charges that this game was still for the taking and that the Blue and Golds should trust the processes that served us well this season. Ed Hannam (return using from injury) came on for Mark O’Connor, with Todd Freemantle taking over at fly-half.
But for Hannam shoring things up in the midfield, the second half opened as the first had finished, the hosts dominating the collision areas and too many missed tackles from Kenilworth. 20 minutes into the second half, Nuneaton kicked a penalty from in front of the posts to take in thew score to 10-27.
Now apparently having found something off a second wind, Kenilworth started to find a little flow in their play, with wing Ben Harrison first to the bouncing ball after a trademark Sam Miles dink over the top; try for Ben Harrison, conversion missed. Score 15-27.
It was now important for Kenilworth to score next and attempt to turn the tide in the match. Unfortunately for the travelling Kenilworth supporters, it was Nuneaton who hit back almost immediately, to score and convert their fifth try of the afternoon. Score 15-34.
Just before the final whistle Nuneaton bagged a final 3 points taking the final score to 15-37. For Nuneaton a lifeline perhaps and a glimmer of hope in their fight to avoid relegation; for Kenilworth, ‘one swallow does not make a summer’ and whilst frustrating, this performance does not detract from the season to date; that said, with much stiffer tests to come, the Blue and Golds need to regroup and quickly.
Also on Saturday, Kenilworth Colts lost in the Warwickshire Cup to Old Coventrians 43-17 and on Sunday, Kenilworth Women took on Premiership bound Leicester Tigers Women at Welford Road, going down 57-0 on the day.
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