Kenilworth RFC

The visit of Hereford to Glasshouse Lane saw the match played in the aftermath of Storm Austen and the beginnings of Storm Boelo. In short, the weather was atrocious with high winds and driving rain, and great credit must go to both sets of players for producing a compelling match, writes Richard Bennett. The skill levels shown in difficult circumstances and the willingness to run the ball in the wet and windy conditions were very commendable.

From the Kenilworth squad, it was another resilient, gutsy, gritty performance and a well -deserved win. It was refereed by Suffolk and North Essex Society referee Josh Blackburn, who managed to enjoy himself on his exchange visit.

In the opening minutes, with Kenilworth playing with the elements, both sides were in tit-for-tat exchanges with them both defending tenaciously and attacking with intent. Kenilworth opened the scoring with a driving maul ten metres out. This was off a well- executed lineout, a great drive by the pack with Lewis Hall peeling off blind side and hooker Finn Nicholas going over the line. This was converted by Charlie Wollaston, to make the score 7-0 after 10 minutes.

Both Kenilworth and Hereford were using the set piece as platforms to launch attacks. Herefords drive off a lineout was their most effective weapon as Kenilworth had ascendency in the scrum exchanges. There were a lot of lineouts and scrums in this game! Both teams were attempting to gain territory with the boot and also to run the ball when the opportunity arose. From a scrum in the Hereford territory on 25 minutes, Kenilworth were awarded a penalty and Charlie Wollaston slotted the three points from 22 metres out, in front of the posts, to make the score 10-0 to Kenilworth.

Hereford replied to Kenilworth’s scores, in the 30th minute with a well taken try by prop Scott Robinson. This was after Kenilworth defending in their red zone, gave away a penalty for offside and from the ensuing Hereford lineout 10 metres out, Hereford’s forwards drove over. The conversion hit the upright post and the ball came out to the side. This made the score 10-5 to Kenilworth. The remaining minutes of the half basically saw stalemate as both teams made errors attempting to overcome the elements, by half time the score remained the same. Kenilworth probably needed more points as now they had to face the stormy winds.

From the half kick-off, Hereford immediately went on the attack, they were awarded a penalty and kicked for touch. From the lineout they drove a maul towards the Kenilworth line. Number 8 Lewis Hall was adjudged to have dropped the maul and was yellow carded by the referee. Hereford then chose the scrum as an option, 8 metres out from the Kenilworth line. The defensive effort now shown by Kenilworth’s fourteen men was valiant and well organized as Hereford piled on the pressure to attempt to score. Kenilworth held firm, cleared their lines, and after several Hereford penalties, Kenilworth were able to score at the other end through great physical work by the pack and Tommy Hunter diving over the try line, with a pass off scrum half Danny Green. The score, under the posts, was converted by Charlie Wollaston, to make it 17-5.

The crucial aspect at this point was how quickly each team got to the ruck to get faster ball and actually hold on to it to build phases. Off one such phase of play by Kenilworth, 2nd row Dan Wildey made a great break through a defensive seam and made 40 metres into the Hereford 22 metre area. Unfortunately, he was adjudged to have taken an extra role on the ground and a penalty went to Hereford. However, Kenilworth came back from this former situation, to go on the attack from in their own half, effective build up work and accurate passing, saw a great break by left wing, Finn Yallop. This put Kenilworth back into the Hereford 22 metre area and the now returned number 8 Lewis Hall, with determination and guile went over the line. This was converted by Charlie Wollaston to make the score 24-5.

Hereford were now chasing the game and decided to apply more pressure by throwing the ball around a little more. Kenilworth as a group, defended tenaciously, to quell the tide for a long period of time. After several phases, a penalty awarded to Hereford, saw the inevitable lineout drive, and Hereford scored through winger Harry Socket, converted by Josh Wright. The score now was 24-12 with eleven minutes left to play.

Herefords tactics now changed and their fly half Joe Vaughan, punt passed wide to attempt to stretch the Kenilworth defence. In a way this worked and the game opened up, Hereford gained territory and Kenilworth commendably, defended out wide and on their line with physical prowess and forceful tackling. To the fore were Finn Barnacle and Tommy Hunter. The final whistle blew and Kenilworth deserved their victory which puts them in fifth place in the league. The ever-faithful watching supporters were pleased to get into the clubhouse.

Man of the match for Kenilworth was scrum half, Dan Green who skillfully managed the game and his passing service to Fly half Sam Herniman in difficult conditions. Both half backs deserve credit for tactical nouse in this game, given the elements.

Next week Kenilworth men play Worcester away. Worcester are currently top of Regional 2 Midlands West and as yet haven’t lost a game. All to play for then.