Sat 23 Apr 2022, 15:00
Kenilworth made the journey over to Shropshire to face Whitchurch on Saturday in good spirts and looking to end the season on a high having already secured promotion from Midlands 1 West following victory over Sutton Coalfield last time out.
The early exchanges saw all the rugby being played between the 22s with both teams giving up possession before entering the final third. This continued for the first quarter of the game until Whitchurch added the first and only points of the half.
Unfortunately, this came after a positive passage of play for Kenilworth seeing the team build multiple phases from just inside of Whitchurch’s half to come just shy of their try line. However, a resulting penalty for holding on saw some quick thinking from the Whitchurch 9 who tapped and went, switching with their full back to cut through the scrambling Ken’s line and race away to score… despite the best efforts of David O-Fordjour.
Things went from bad to worse following the resulting kick off with Jake Dodd seeing ten for some lack discipline…However, despite the resulting onslaught of the Ken’s line, Whitchurch were unable to make the most of their man advantage. Honourable mentions during this passage of play must go to an O-Fordjour interception, a last ditch two man cover tackle by Miles and Freemantle, and a superb 30-yard break from Paddy Grace to relieve pressure and switch the games momentum. This saw Ken’s have the ascendancy for the remainder of the half. However, they were unable to capitalise and went in at the break trailing.
Whitchurch started the quicker of the two sides when play resumed. Kenilworth were unable to deal with the kick off and the resulting scrum saw Whitchurch score within 2 phases… However, Kenilworth bounced back following some positive attacking sets, settling into their attacking shape, and moving the ball from right to left… creating an overlap for Gareth Bell, who on his last outing for the club, was able to put O-Fordjour in at the corner. O’Brien saw his conversion attempt sail wide.
However, this allowed Kenilworth to gain a foothold in the match. Their next attack was finished well by Ollie Stone, fresh from his exploits at Pennyhill Park, who burrowed over from a couple of yards out. Things continued positively for Kenilworth and ten minutes later were over was again. This time Sam Miles scrambled away following an outrageous bit of Skill from Bobby Thompson at the scrum to go over in the corner. Unfortunately, O’Brien was still off target with his second conversion attempt and Kenilworth were only 17 – 14 ahead.
Once again, the games momentum swung and Kens weakened with injuries to Cary and Clifford, had to dig deep to stop Whitchurch gaining ground during a prolonged period without the ball. None more so than Andy Mackenzie, who on his first game for the 1st XV this season, did not look out of place all game, and threw himself into everything in such a way that I can only describe as not advisable for a man reaching his pensionable age!… However, Whitchurch eventually broke through with their winger diving over in the corner. Thankfully (from a non-biased Kenilworth perspective) the conversion was missed… but the lead was now 19 – 17 in favour of the home side.
The kick off planted Kenilworth deep into the Whitchurch half. Some good pressure meant that Kenilworth were able to force a knock on. Payne and Dodd got the upper hand on their opposite numbers at the resulting scrum to give Ken’s a penalty and a chance to regain the lead… Harry O’Brien obliged and ken’s where 20 – 19 up with around five to play… Kenilworth were able to hold on and the ball was kicked out to cap off a good season for the men from Glasshouse Lane.
Hugh Whidborne
