Sat 3 Dec 2022, 14:30
Kenilworth built on their recent run of form to out-score third place Syston three tries to 1, earning themselves a valuable away win. Final score 11-25.
On a dark and gloomy day, it was the home side that struck first; quite literally in fact, as the left boot of their fly half sending the ball between the uprights- score after 7 minutes, 3-0.
Around the quarter hour mark, Kenilworth levelled the score with a penalty kick from fullback Will Morgan, the Kens pack already overpowering the Syston eight.
Ten minutes later, Kenilworth scored the first try of the game, Sam Peppitt (outstanding throughout) with a superb solo effort following a lineout, catch and drive up to the home side 22, bursting through the defence to score under the sticks. Conversion added by Morgan. Score 3-10.
The majority of the first half saw a resurgent Syston pounding away at the Kens line. The home side were causing real problems for the travellers and increasing pressure eventually told; Kenilworth second row, Jonny Openshaw the recipient of a team yellow for repeated indiscretions. To Kenilworth’s credit, they held out with 14 men and prevented Syston from adding to their tally for the day.
The half-time talk in the Kenilworth dressing room was all about not wasting the current position in the contest, all the hard work to half time, and start strongly after the break.
From the restart Syston were on top and enjoyed probably their best period of the game. The Kenilworth scrum kept the Blue and Golds in the game with a combination of ‘against the heads’ or scrum penalties; on two such occasions unfortunately for the visitors, having earned hard fought penalties, the resultant kicks for touch were missed by Kenilworth, piling the pressure back on and keeping the home side in the hunt.
Syston eventually and deservedly did fracture the belligerent Kens defence, their backs scoring out wide on their left wing. Conversion missed. Score 8-10.
As the game moved into the final quarter, Kenilworth building on some heavy carries from the likes of Carey, Randal and Boulton, played their way up the field and earned a lineout just inside the home 22. Catch, drive and try for Ollie Stone (how many time have we said that this season), conversion missed. Score 8-15.
With the light fading fast and with it any Syston hopes of taking points on the day, they earned themselves a possible lifeline, penalty kick. Score 11-15. A tense last 10 minutes in store.
4 minutes later, with both sides summoning any last ounce of effort, Kenilworth won a penalty with Syston adjudged ‘not releasing on the floor’, penalty Kens just outside the home 10m line and slightly to the right. Good game management saw Kens skipper, Bobby Thompson call up Will Morgan to kick for goal, 3 points added, score 11-18 with less then 5 to go.
The final play of the game saw Kenilworth scrum-half, Sam Miles, identify space in behind the Syston defence; his deft kick caused chaos in the home ranks, only for the exuberant Ben Harrison to pounce for the final try of the game. Game in the bag, and only the conversion to go, up stepped Jowett (Morgan now off the pitch) to add the two points. Final score 11-25.
Elsewhere this weekend, on Friday evening Kenilworth Colts lost out to Old Laurentians 5-27. On Saturday, Kenilworth Women put in a possible season’s best performance, going down to a very strong Leicester Tigers 5 points to 39. Also on Saturday Kenilworth Men lost out current league leaders Alcester 19-29.
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