Kenilworth RFC

Kenilworth kicked off, attacking the Clubhouse end, and an early spell of kick tennis and a subsequent bout of possessional to and fro eventually led to an infringement by Kens for not releasing and a 3-0 lead for the home team. Kens responded quickly through the trusty boot of full-back O'Connor, to quickly regain parity at 3-3.

Syston's dominance in the lineout soon reaped rewards, and some slick passing allowed them take advantage of a gap in the Kens defence for the runner to show a clean pair of heels and dot down under the posts. Conversion good, and Kens 10-3 down.

A quick tap from Thompson soon put the Syston defence under pressure, and the resulting penalty was duly dispatched by O'Connor, closing the gap to 10-6. Kens continued to exert pressure, and O'Connor made it 3 from 3 with the boot, bringing the score to 10-9 before having to depart due to injury, with stalwart Hannam stepping into the full-back berth.

Some sloppy defence followed just as Kens seemed to be gaining a foothold, and the Syston 10 breezed in under the posts for their second try of the afternoon, with the extras added to bring proceedings to 17-9.

Periods of Kenilworth asking questions followed, with typical forays by Andresen and Thompson in the forwards and Hannam and Freemantle from the backs in particular, but all too often Kens failed to secure quality ball at the setpiece.

Another high challenge from the home side was eventually punished by the man in the middle, and Syston were reduced to 14 with the mandatory 10 minutes on the naughty step for the offending player. After a period camped in the Syston 22, Thompson bulldozed over from short distance to bring Kenilworth to within 3, West unfortunately unable to add the extras, making the score 17-14 to Syston at the break.

Syston restarted the second half (Kens having replaced the injured Fox at second row with Herrington), and a period of pressure from Kens (interspersed with the odd indiscretion!) eventually saw bullocking runs into opposition territory by Morris and Herrington, and latterly livewire Hannam, rewarded by a fine finish from Rawlins in the corner. West was unable to add the extras from a tricky angle, and finally the score weighed 17-19 in Kenilworth's favour.

Kens continued to punish themselves at the setpiece at times, and a period of weathering the Syston attack resulted in them working their way upfield, but an indiscretion at the breakdown allowed Syston to add 3 via the boot. 20-19 in the home side's favour.

Herrington's and Andresen's hard work in the home 22, constantly trying to gain ground with trademark punching runs, eventually lead to West adding a penalty after a home infringement, and Kenilworth edging the now see-saw tussle 20-22.

However, and as was the case all too often, Kens again surrendered their advantage. The hosts exposed some gaps in the home defence before going over in the corner after some sustained pressure. The extras secured, and the scoreboard read 27-22 momentarily, before West stepped up to again punish the home side, adding 3 points from a central position. 27-25 to the home side.

The game entered its final stages, with both sides doing their utmost to keep the other in it. An unfortunate bounce on a kick to the Kens 22 resulted in a smart offload, and the home side going over for their final score of the afternoon. Conversion added, and 34-25 in Syston's favour.

Kens weren't done, however, and any shortcomings throughout the afternoon were matched in equal measure by their resolve to not give up the fight, with Herrington again causing the home defence problems, crashing over from close range, allowing West to again add the 2 points. 34-32 to the home team, which is how the contest ended.