Keen to put last week’s ‘blip’ behind them, Kenilworth Men hosted Derby in front of a large home crowd, swelled by the attending former players group. Kenilworth put in a solid performance to take the spoils 38-8.
If the previous week’s loss to Nuneaton wasn’t impetus enough, this fixture was also the first home game since talismanic skipper Bobby Thompson reached the prestigious milestone of 250 caps for the club, in which time he has scored an impressive 623 points.
Kenilworth got off to a great start, scoring in the first 5 minutes after a bust through the middle by Fox, with Andresen scoring the try and Morgan converting. Score 7-0.
The next 15 minutes or so of the game saw Kenilworth with the upper hand and mounting several forays into the Derby 22. Kenilworth spurned a couple of scoring opportunities, each time allowing Derby to clear to safety. Amidst the onslaught the Derby fullback was sent to the sin bin, for a team yellow, following a series of infringements under pressure.
On the 20 minute mark, Kenilworth did convert a scoring opportunity with fly half Jowett, impressive on the day, scoring the second try of the game, following some tidy approach play by the home side. Conversion missed, score 12-0.
Derby found form on around the half hour mark and were now camped in the Kenilworth 22. Time and again the resolute home defence thwarted the attack; and ultimately led to a turnover of possession. Ball in hand, the Kenilworth backs ran from their own 22, Ed Hannam making the initial break before passing to Andresen, who in turn fed Opoku- Fordjour who scored under the posts. Conversion added by Morgan. Score 19-0.
The final minutes of the first half were played out with Derby in possession but unable to breakdown the Blue and Gold defensive line. Half time score 19-0.
Talk at half time was all about maintaining our focus and having built a lead, not letting Derby back into the game.
Derby started the second half the better of the two sides, earning their first points of the afternoon, with a successful penalty kick. Score 19-3.
From the restart Kenilworth moved the ball to Hannam who broke through from just inside the Derby half, only to be tackled 5 meters out from the Derby try line. The ball was knocked on in the tackle, scrum Derby. The visitors cleared the ball to touch, leading to a Kenilworth lineout, just inside the Derby 10 meter line. From the line out Kenilworth moved the ball to within 15 meters from the Derby line and coming from the blindside wing, Harrison picked a deft line to slice through and score under the posts. Score 26-3. 4 try bonus point to Kenilworth.
Less than ten minutes later, and having been camped in the Derby half since the previous try, Kenilworth scored their 5th try with Bromwich last up with the ball, following a series of close quarter drives from the heavies. Score 33-3. 20 minutes to go.
Derby had the better of the next 10 minutes camped in the Kenilworth half; the home defence holding-fast through multiple attacks, until eventually breaking through to score their first and only try of the game. Score 33-8.
Determined to finish the game off in style, Kenilworth rallied and took play deep into the Derby half thanks to a fine 50-22 kick from Jowett. With virtually the last play of the game Kenilworth scored again, this time Morgan, capping a fine personal performance, finishing off the move. Final score 38-8.
Also this weekend, Kenilworth Colts played very well but just lost out to Nuneaton Colts 23-22, and on Sunday, Kenilworth Women put in one of their best performances of the season to beat third in the table West Park Leeds 29-14.
