Kenilworth RFC

A pre-match Services Lunch to acknowledge the people who have served and are currently serving was held before the match. Kenilworth Chair Paul Fountaine signed the Armed Forces Covenant alongside veterans, servicemen and women, blue light staff and local businesses all united in their commitment to those who serve. The event was also attended by the splendid Brethren from Lord Leycester Hospital who are all military veterans. Lest we forget, writes Rich Bennett.

This was the equivalent of Super Saturday as Kenilworth Women’s 1st XV kicked off on the main pitch at 12.30pm, unfortunately losing to a strong Cheltenham Tigers team who sit second in Championship North 1. This women’s match was followed by the men’s match at 3.00 pm.

The men’s game was disappointing if you were a home supporter. Kenilworth were unable to get a foothold in the first 25 minutes of the match. Old Hales’ had a bigger more powerful pack and they were well up for the game, showing aggression and fortitude. Kenilworth’s forwards seemed to lack that ‘umph’ and were playing catch up in trying to secure good front foot ball and continuity.

In the opening minutes Old Hales’ kept the ball and Kenilworth defended assiduously, however the referee, Martin Nailor pinged them for offside. The well struck penalty by scrum half, Jamie Kean, meant it was 0-3 after 3 minutes. Kenilworth were giving away too many soft penalties during these early exchanges which meant Old Hales’ got easy territory. Old Hales’ also had ascendency in the scrum exchanges and after 18 mins they scored in the corner off a controlled, momentum scrum through their left winger James Round. This was unconverted.

From the kick off Kenilworth gave away another penalty and Old Hales’ took the territory drove a lineout and their centre, Jake Bonas, scored under the posts, this was converted by Jamie Kean. The Kenilworth discipline at the ruck, lack of ball and therefore any kind of continuity was their downfall at this stage in the game. Old Hales’ scored another penalty after 34 minutes by the reliable Jamie Kean. This made the score 0-18. The match was slipping away from Kenilworth.

Just before half time, however, Kenilworth got some ascendency from good territory and Old Hales’ giving away too many penalties. From a lineout drive Matt Gibson went over the whitewash in the corner, to secure 5 points to give the home supporters something to cheer. This made the score at half time 5-18. Elementary mistakes were costing Kenilworth and they needed to put things right in the second half by being more clinical in everything they did.

Old Hales’ scored first after the break on 66 minutes with a driving run from there 2nd row, Martin McIlroy, after yet more penalty give aways by Kenilworth who were out of sorts and on the back foot. This was converted by Jamie Keen. This was quickly followed by a much-needed Kenilworth try after some really effective continuity and phase play. Skipper Ted Bromwich going over and this was converted by Dan Ward.

From the kick off Kenilworth scored again after good build up work by Sam Fountaine and support work by the forwards. Club Captain Charlie Morris secured the try off a lineout drive and this was ably converted by Dan Ward from wide out. The score was now 19-25.

In the tit-for-tat exchanges, Old Hales’ scored next through their 2nd row and this was converted again by Jamie Keen. This made the game out of reach for Kenilworth at 19-32 with 4 minutes to go. Mercifully they scored another try through Sam Fountaine in the left-hand corner after good build up work from the forwards and slick passing through the backs. Kenilworth then got the ascendency but were unable to secure a second bonus point. The final score was 24-32. A much-needed win for Old Hales’ who deserved their victory. This young Kenilworth side needs to find more from the get-go; the home crowd and indeed the players were disappointed knowing more needed to be done. For Kenilworth, it was a performance that did not show off their true potential and tenacity.

Next week Kenilworth Men’s 1st XV and the Women’s 1st XV do not have fixtures. It is an international weekend where all games will be shown in the clubhouse, amongst others, England play New Zealand at 15.10.