Kenilworth RFC

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Kenilworth Men extended their unbeaten run in the Regional 1 Midlands league to seven games, with a 50 points to 28 win over Bromsgrove.

Kenilworth’s last loss was back in November, away at today’s visitors Bromsgrove. That day, the Blue and Golds didn’t get out of second gear and were well beaten 31-19. At yesterday’s pre-match lunch, sponsored by Bromwich Hardy, club director of rugby Jai Purewal, spoke of the opportunity to see how far the side has come, since the two sides last met.

On a bright day, well-suited for rugby, Kenilworth playing right to left (viewed from the clubhouse) the opening period saw Bromsgrove start the better, early pressure saw the home side concede a string of penalties and were eventually punished, penalty kick converted from in front of the posts. 12 mins gone. Score 0-3.

From the restart, Kenilworth continued to incur the wrath of the referee, much to the consternation of the home crowd, and at times, tempers became frayed on the pitch; on one occasion the niggle boiled-over, with the Bromsgrove 7 and Kenilworth 3 given yellow and ten minutes to cool off. 

With Payne in the bin, it was only a matter time until the next scrum, which would see the introduction of Ted Bromwich from the bench, to make his senior debut. Just before the 20 min mark, Bromwich entered the fray, much to the delight of father and club sponsor Tom Bromwich and the rest of the Kenilworth support. To balance the numbers, Robinson was temporarily withdrawn. 

With 15 minutes on the clock, Kenilworth skipper Thompson scored the first try of the game, finishing off a good move that started with a lineout on the left. Following successive phases from the heavies, the ball eventually reached Freemantle (excellent on the day) to deliver a perfectly timed pass to Thompson, who delayed his run to slice through the defence and score 10m to the right of the posts. Conversion missed score 5-3.

15 minutes later, following some see-saw rugby and a kicking duel for territory, Kenilworth flanker Chaz (the flying doctor) Hudson, at times unplayable on the day, broke through and galloped towards the visitors’ 10m line. Kenilworth were looking to further stretch the Bromsgrove defence but an adjudged, illegal intervention that stopped play and earned a Bromsgrove forward 10 mins in the sin-bin. From the penalty and kick for the corner, the resultant catch and drive was finished off by Hudson, 10m to the left of the sticks. In the final surge for the line, two Bromsgrove players clashed heads, both unable to continue and adding to the visitors’ injury woes, having had to remove their 9 inside the first 10 mins. Conversion missed, score 10-3.

There then ensued a non-descript period of rugby punctuated with injury breaks for the visitors and more kick tennis, before With less than 10 to go until half time, Kenilworth conceded yet another penalty- the tenth and counting, which saw the Bromsgrove 10 kick over his and his teams second 3 points of the afternoon. Score 10-6.

Straight from the restart, Kenilworth again with the bit between their teeth, converted another trade-mark kick to the corner, catch, drive and score. Impressive hooker Carey was last one up with the ball and the try. Jowett with the conversion, score 17-6.

The final few minutes of the half played out and we’re largely uneventful. Half time whistle saw the home side depart for the changing room, with a solid lead but much to discuss, especially the penalty count. Half time score 17-6.

In the first 10 mins, Kenilworth were first to trouble the score board after the break. Working down the left, Boulton set Thompson through the gap to feed Andressen in open-field. The great Dane showed composure enough to commit the defender in open-field and pass to wing Opoku- Fordjour who duly rounded the final defenders to score Kenilworth’s fourth and bonus point try of the game. Conversion good. Score 26-6.

Game back underway and from the next play, talismanic Boulton was penalised and sent to the sin-bin for 10 mins. Compounding the issue, the home side were further penalised allowing the visitors to reach the home 22, and score their first try of the afternoon. Conversion missed score 26-11.

With the game approaching the end of Q3, and Boulton back in the trenches, Kenilworth fly-half Jowett rounded off some slick handling to score Kenilworth’s 5th try on the wide left. Score 31-11.

Five minutes later, the depleted visitors, now looking increasing forlorn were starting to fall off tackles as Kenilworth bombarded the Bromsgrove defensive line. Attacking from around 30m out, Hudson combined power and slight of hand to pass out of the tackle, for the returning Young to score under the posts. Conversion good. Score 38-11.

Minutes later and much to the delight of the home crowd Kenilworth were in again. Neat approach play by the three-quarters saw flanker Grace breakthrough and neatly offload out of the tackle to the supporting Calviezel-Cox to dot down under the posts. Before continuing, it is worth commenting on the contribution that Grace is making this season. The backrow has long been an area of strength for Kenilworth, so for a young player to break-through and contribute in the manner he has is fantastic. Conversion added. Score 45-11. 

Credit to Bromsgrove, they rallied and scored their 2nd try following multiple phases of play. Conversion missed. Score 45-16.

With 10 mins to go, Bromwich and fellow debutant Davenport came on for Kavanagh and Carey. Bromwich announcing his return in winning a penalty for his team, Bromsgrove player penalised for not releasing. Play pushed deep into the Bromsgrove half. 

Bromsgrove now chasing the game and their only possibility of a league point being the 4 try bonus, attacked from deep with a cross field kick- pass to the right winger, who wrong footed Opoku Fordjour to score from 70m. Conversion missed. Score 45-21.

From the restart the Bromsgrove 6 was sin-binned for a high tackle on Rawlins. Kick to the corner, lineout, drive, try to Andressen. Conversion missed. Score 50-21.

Before the final whistle Bromsgrove claimed their final converted, try of the afternoon taking the score to 50-28. 5 league points to Kenilworth, 1 to Bromsgrove. Next up for Kenilworth Men, Burton away. 

On Saturday, Kenilworth Men also played away at Rugby St.Andrews 1st XV in the Counties 2 Midlands West South league. Score 38-29.