Kenilworth RFC

Saturday, and a short trip to Shipston on Stour from Kenilworth, with very picturesque scenery and convivial company along the way. This was a Shipston on Stour club with a great atmosphere created by the large crowd. The Shipston pitch itself was very dry and this made for a thrilling encounter with both sides giving there all. There was also a south westerly wind going straight down the pitch and both teams used it well.

The match kicked off at 3.00pm, and like most of the matches so far this season in this league, it was a very close encounter reflected in the score at the end. It did not disappoint in terms of entertainment as both sides could have taken the win until the final whistle.

In the opening minutes both sides fronted up with Kenilworth attacking down the slope and into the wind. Kenilworth’s defence was not as aggressive as it needed to be and Shipston were able to get on the front foot. Consequently, after nine minutes, the opening score came from Shipston through good continuity and effective handling and their full back scoring over the whitewash. The same player kicked the conversion.

After fourteen minutes the Shipston fullback had a chance to kick a penalty from 35 metres out after the Kenilworth backs went off side, he managed to hit the upright. Kenilworth cleared their lines through good work by Bobby Thompson. Kenilworth were now very much on the attack after a string of Shipston penalties, the referee, losing his patience, gave a yellow card. Kenilworth, now in the ascendency, then scored through Bobby Thompson off a very effective driven maul off a lineout. This was converted by winger Dan Ward. This made the score 7-7.

Both teams at this stage were playing open rugby off the phases and attempting to get to an outside edge with pull backs and dummy runs. The conundrum was how quickly each team got to the ruck to get lightning-fast ball or attempt the turn over and slow the ball down. Kenilworth, being pragmatic and measured in their play into the wind, scored next through skipper Ted Bromwich, who touched down under the posts, this was converted by Dan Ward.

On thirty-seven minutes Shipston replied with a well taken try through slick handling and poor Kenilworth defensive tackles. Their winger scored and this was converted by the full back to make the score at half time 14-14. All to play for after forty minutes.

Kenilworth scored first after the break, with good build up work, when a quick tap penalty by Bobby Thompson from 10 metres out and several close phases, led to a try by the ever-dependable Max Brain. Dan Ward converted. Shipston replied to this Kenilworth score, with a well taken try on fifty-seven minutes through very good continuity and opening up Kenilworth’s defence. This score was again converted, to make the score 21-21. Nip and tuck.

The game now went into a stalemate phase where both teams had opportunities, but also made elementary mistakes. Scrums and penalties ensued. Kenilworth’s greatest chance came when scrum half Robbie Holden intercepted a pass off a lineout and was supported by Ted Bromwich. The ball went wide through the backs and they just failed to score. However, scrum half Robbie Holden went over off the ensuing scrum with a slight wheel and good work by Bobby Thompson off the back. This well taken try went unconverted. The score was now 21-26 to Kenilworth.

Immediately, as often happens, Shipston came back with another try after a charge down of Sam Fountaines clearance kick and this try went unconverted. This opportunist try made the score 26-26 with five minutes to go. In the closing stages of the game both teams had chances to seal the victory. It was probably a fair result and both teams probably thought they should and could have won. Both teams during the freneticism of the match, kept shooting themselves in the foot, just as they were getting the ascendency. The two sides came away with three league points, but also thinking what could have been?

Next week Kenilworth men play Silhillians at home with a 2.15pm Kick off. This is preceded by a Former Players/ President’s Lunch.