Sat 27 Jan 2024, 14:15
On the day Kenilworth RFC launched their centenary celebrations, the Men’s first team inflicted another defeat on local rivals Broadstreet RFC, final score 24 -19.
In front of a large crowd, it was Broadstreet who opened the scoring after ten minutes following some early pressure and several indiscretions from the home side - score 0-3.
As the game entered the second quarter, Kenilworth were playing the better rugby but failed to gain true momentum as they were frequently halted by the referee’s whistle. In one early example, excellent approach play saw Ted Bromwich crash over for the first try of the game; unfortunately forward pass in the build-up saw the try chalked off. From the next play Kenilworth flyhalf Charlie West put in a deft, cross-field kick that eluded the outstretched arms of right wing, Lightowler with the Street tryline begging.
From the restart, Broadstreet put their best passage of play of the afternoon together that eventually saw their center score the opening try of the game. Conversion added, score 0-10 and the home faithful nervous an upset might be on the cards.
Half time score 0-10 and Kenilworth on the wrong side of the referee having conceded 12 penalties, particularly at the scum.
With half-time instructions still ringing in their ears, Kenilworth got the second half off to the perfect start with the returning Mike Ryan busting through the opposition defence to offload to the supporting Lightowler who finished off from 30 meters out to score his second try in as many games. Conversion added by O’Connor, score 7-10 game on.
The next ten minutes or so were uneventful with only the visitors troubling the score board, 3 points extending their lead. Score 7-13.
Kenilworth continued to be on the wrong side of the ref’s decisions and found themselves down to 13 players, with two in the bin for repeated team indiscretions. To add to Kenilworth’s woes Street bagged another easy three points. 20 minutes to go, score 7-16. If Kenilworth were to turn this game around, time and the ref’s patience it seemed were both in short supply.
With Chaz Hudson (excellent throughout) and Mike Ryan now increasingly prominent in the game, the latter made another trademark incursion into opposition territory and Street failed to cope with the mounting pressure, were adjudged offside at the breakdown. Kick to the corner, lineout, catch, and drive executed well (credit to hooker and vice-captain, Charlie Morris and his pack) would have led to a Kenilworth try but for the deliberate collapsing of the rolling maul by Street. Penalty try to Kenilworth and one to the bin for Street. Score 14-16 with 10 to go.
Within 5 minutes of the restart Kenilworth were again camped in the visitors 22, courtesy of a good kick-chase. Broadstreet failed to handle the pressure giving the Blue and Golds another kick to the corner, catch and drive opportunity. The opportunity was taken, this time Ted Bromwich, increasingly a fan favourite, got his try with metronomic Morgan added a tricky 2 points with the conversion. Score 21-16.
With Broadstreet fading fast, Kenilworth were now finally into some sort of stride- good pressure from Freemantle and Morris turned the ball over and Kenilworth won the penalty. Morgan added the two. Score 24-16.
In the dying minutes Broadstreet found some extra energy to catch Kenilworth out and earn themselves a final penalty of the afternoon, and a well-earned first league point of the season Final score 24-19.
In a weekend when the club fielded 5 senior sides, the other results were:
Friday:
Kenilworth Colts beat Old Leamingtonians Colts at home 20-19
Saturday:
Kenilworth Women 1st XV won away at Barnsley 7-12
Kenilworth Men 2nd XV lost away at Old Yardleians 18-15
Sunday:
Kenilworth Women 2nd XV won away at Burton 5-38
