Sat 11 Nov 2023, 14:30
Having only recently taken on high flying Stourbridge, Kenilworth Men were again in a top of the table clash, this time with Oxford Harlequins who have impressed season to date. Despite leading at half-time, the visitors ultimately overpowered Kenilworth 16- 36 in front of a large home crowd.
Before the game, both sides and spectators alike paid their respects to Armistice Day. Club president Dom Carrick read out the names of those club members that paid the ultimate price in defense of their country before the attending bugler ushered in a moment of reflection with the Last Post.
Following the usual, opening salvos from both sides, it was Kenilworth who scored first. Kenilworth were rewarded for early scrum dominance, fullback Mark O’Connor landing the conversion. Score 3-0, 10 minutes gone.
From the restart Kenilworth failed to clear their lines and conceded a penalty just outside the 22; Quins kicked to the corner and executed the catch and drive to score their first try of the afternoon. Conversion missed, the score 3-5, 13 minutes gone.
The next 15- 20 minutes of the game was tight. Kenilworth had the better of possession but failed, under pressure from the Quins defence, to make it count- here and there the pass was behind the player or there was a knock-on that prevented the Blue and Golds from further troubling the scoreboard.
With the game deep into the first half, Kenilworth finally found their flow and were on the hunt for their first try of the afternoon. Following a couple of catch and drives close to the opposition line, Bobby Thompson eventually burrowed over from close range, O’Connor added the conversion. Half time score 10-5.
Ten minutes into the second Kenilworth fullback O’Connor added another 3 points, the visitors penalised at the breakdown. Score 13-5.
Five minutes later, following a high shot in midfield, O’Connor extended his and his team’s tally by another three points. Score 16-5, the home faithful beginning to sniff an upset.
Perhaps releasing the game may have been slipping away from them, Quins started to find another gear or two. Constant pressure on the home line paid off in their second try of the game, conversion good. Score 16-12 with half an hour to go.
The Oxfordshire outfit now had their tales up and within 5 minutes had again crossed the whitewash despite home side protestations for a high shot and a forward pass- it mattered not, try given and converted. Score 16-19.
The last 20 minutes of the game was all Oxford Harlequins who ultim
ately absorbed everything that the valiant Kenilworth lads had to throw at them and then systematically went through the gears to pull away. Final score 16-38.
