Sat 18 Feb 2023, 14:30
Kenilworth Men and their supporters made the journey north to Burton’s impressive new ground, looking to extend their unbeaten run to eight games. Final score Burton 20, Kenilworth 29.
Kenilworth fielded a changed side, particularly in the backs, with former Coventry player, Mark O’Connor making his 1st XV debut and exciting youngster, Ben Parsons selected in the league 18 for the first time. Another notable selection in the backline, saw skipper Bobby Thompson selected at 12 for the first time at this level.
With a strong wind behind their backs, in was Kenilworth who opened the scoring with returning full-back Morgan kicking 3 points, after a Burton indiscretion at the ruck, centre field and around 25m out. 10 minutes gone, score 0-3.
From the restart, Kenilworth put themselves under pressure with a mis-field of the high ball, but did enough to take play back into the Burton half, gaining a scrum. From the set-piece, Morgan kicked the ball in behind the home defence, putting them under pressure and earning Kenilworth their first attacking lineout. Line out won, catch, drive and try from hooker Carey. 14 minutes gone, score 0-10.
The next 10 mins of the game saw Burton with the majority of possession. Despite the Kenilworth defence successfully repelling several Burton attacks, the home side did eventually score their first try of the day. 35 minutes on the clock, conversion good, score 7-10.
Mindful of the need to build a score whilst playing with the wind, Kenilworth re-found their flow and were asking all sorts of questions of their opponents. Bruising carries from Kavanagh and Carey, backed with guile and tenacity from Andressen, eventually told with Kenilworth’s second try; wing Miles dotting down out wide and Morgan adding an impressive conversion. Half time score 7-17.
Player/ head coach Phil Boulton delivered his half time talk from the shelter of the dressing room. Not for the first time this season, talk was more about pressure from our own undoing, rather than being stretched by the opposition. Boulton called for better application and attention to detail in our play, and for everyone to find an extra 10% given the first half performance.
With 10 minutes gone in the second half, Burton brought the score to 10-17 with a successful penalty kick on the back of concerted pressure; Kenilworth not helping themselves at times in the build-up.
Twenty minutes into the second half, Burton hooker was sent to the sin-bin after a high shot on Kenilworth’s Chaz Hudson. Kenilworth now looking to make the most of the numerical advantage, Thompson, Ryan and Hudson led the charge with some good carries, taking play into the Burton half. Already down to 14 men, Burton’s indiscipline was further penalised with a straight red card, after a Burton player was deemed, over-zealous in his rucking at the breakdown. Burton down to 13 players, with about 5 minutes left of the Hooker’s sin bin. The Burton 13 defended well but eventually ran out of puff, when Kavanagh crashed over from close range; conversion added, score 10-24, ten minutes to go.
Despite the return to the game of the Burton hooker, it was Kenilworth who scored their bonus point, fourth and best try of the afternoon; backs and forwards combined with the ball passing through several pairs of hands on the way to the Burton line. Andressen (stand-out on the day) twice involved in the move scored 10 meters to the left of the posts. Morgan added a good conversion into the wind, score 10-29. Seven to go.
2-3 minutes later, it looked like Kenilworth would score again, but to be pulled up for crossing in mid-field. Burton now chasing a losing bonus point, and attacking in front of their own fans in the stand, the home backs rounded the stretched Kenilworth defence to score out wide. In the approach play Kenilworth fullback was injured and replaced by Parsons. Conversion missed. Score 15-29.
From the restart, Burton went straight back on the offensive, and countered well with some deft handling to again score, this time out wide. Burton missed the kick and with it the opportunity of earning a losing bonus point. Final score 20-29.
Kenilworth Men also took on Southam 1st XV in Counties 2 Midlands West (South), losing 38-27 but gaining a valuable losing, league bonus point. Earlier in the weekend (Friday) Kenilworth Colts beat Old Leamingtonians 24-15. On Sunday, Kenilworth Women lost at home to Cheltenham Tigers 50-5 in the Women’s Championship North.
