Kenilworth’s away-day woes continue at Lichfield

Kenilworth failed to pick up their first away points of the season at Cooke Fields, with their mid-table Midlands One West hosts posing most of the questions and able to apply the finishing touches when required, writes Bob Jones.

With many spectators still emerging from the clubhouse, the visitors, having already knocked on from the kick-off, found themselves five points in arrears after a sweeping move resulted in a touchdown in the left corner.

To their credit, with fly-half Dave Johnston skilfully directing operations, they regained their composure and forced Lichfield to concede the first of many penalties awarded by referee Paul Scott.

After one such award, Tom Kendall reduced the deficit to two points, with full-back Josh Massey replying in kind after Kenilworth were guilty of tackling a man without the ball.

The Staffordshire outfit looked the more assured and organised, and it was no surprise when a foot-race towards the Kenilworth line saw them gather the ball and set up a drive by the pack that culminated in a second try, converted by Massey.

As the penalty count mounted, a Jamie Peacock trademark tap-and-go penalty saw the ball reach Johnston but his drop-goal attempt was wide of the mark.

The second half commenced without the influential Johnston, who had picked up a rib injury, Jake Povey replacing him.

Kenilworth started brightly, with Catalin-Adrea Graur, Phil Dickson and Chris Wood unsettling the Lichfield defence which led to a penalty goal for Kendall.

However, the home side pulled themselves together and, as the game entered its final quarter, went further ahead by virtue of a converted try after a good move outwitted the Ks defence.

Kendall pulled back three points with a penalty goal but it was a mere blip as Ks suffered an all-too-familiar last-quarter collapse.

The best move of the match saw home left-wing Paul Maxwell-Keys cross for an unconverted try after an incursion into the line by Josh Massey had facilitated the overlap.

Then a kick ahead and chase proved too much for the cover, with another unconverted try completing the haul for the home side.

During the final few minutes, there was renewed attacking effort from the visitors, with Cresswell charging over from close quarters for an unconverted consolation try.

Burton are the visitors to Glasshouse Lane tomorrow, with the game kicking off at 3pm and concluding under floodlights.

n Former England international Peter Rossborough will be guest speaker at a sporting dinner at Glasshouse Lane on Friday November 25.

Tickets, costing £20, are available from contacing [email protected]