Barkers Butts 29 Kenilworth 28: Below-par Ks fail to make the most of Barkers Butts dismissal

The omens were not good as the kick-off was misfielded by Kenilworth to give the hosts an early attacking scrum 22 metres out. From the ensuing play the home side looked to have been penalised for holding on but the penalty was awarded in their favour and an early three-point lead.

The hosts played the opening minutes with good continuity and looked the sharper side but with barely 15 minutes gone play was stopped and the Barkers prop red-carded.

In the period immediately after the dismissal Ks looked to establish their advantage and spent long periods in attack but some stout defence from Butts kept the score at 3-0.

Eventually the hosts were awarded a penalty on half way and, needing to seize every scoring opportunity, the outside-half struck the ball home to extend the lead to 6-0.

Now it was Butts who took the initiative and they put some good phases together before adding a third penalty.

Ks were spurred into action and patient build-up gave them a three on two which James Glover exploited as he stepped the marker to go under the posts.

Tom Kendall added the two points and a minute later he was reprising his conversion after Nyle Beckett won the foot race for Alex Selby’s kick ahead.

Some determined running by the centre and some poor tackling by the visitors then resulted in another score for Butts and the scores were tied.

As half-time approached another Butts attack saw Tom Watts receive a yellow for an infringement at the ruck and the successful penalty meant a half-time lead of 17-14 for Butts.

The visitors were on the wrong side of the referee for most of the match and a series of whistles preceded Butts’ first score of the second period which stretched their lead to 24-14.

Ks went in search of a score to get back on terms but a Barkers scrum, despite going through 90 degrees, was allowed to continue and they ran the length of the field to score in the corner.

Back came Ks and lineout possession was spun wide by Selby to reach Adam Clifford who scored in the corner. An outstanding kick from Kendall added the extras and the deficit was reduced to eight points.

The pressure from Kenilworth was relentless now and after a series of pick and drives, Bobby Thompson looked to have scored from close range only for play to be brought back for a scrum for the visitors.

A series of penalties were given away by Barkers as they desperately tried to defend their lead and, from a penalty lineout, Nick Collett barged over to continue his scoring run and bring Kenilworth to within a point.

However, time was against them.