Stratford 18 Kenilworth 20: Kendall holds nerve to kick Ks to victory after Collett’s late try

The first set scrum of the day provided an ominous marker for the visitors as Stratford exerted real pressure and had the Kenilworth eight walking backwards across their own goal line for the opening score.

Kenilworth responded well and looked to attack at every opportunity. With the phases building, Stratford were penalised at the ruck and Tom Kendall pegged the score back to 5-3.

More good work from the Kenilworth forwards brought play up to the Stratford 22 and another penalty allowed Kendall to get the visitors’ noses in front.

As Ks pressed, Simon Tyler lost his footing while attempting a drop-goal but still managed to get his shot off, hitting the crossbar. The drama was not yet over, with Jonny Openshaw denied by Stratford full-back Cook as he tried to touch down the loose ball in the in-goal area, dislocating his shoulder in the process.

The elements now conspired to produce multiple errors from both sides but when the deadlock was finally broken it was done so in some style.

Classy interplay between the forwards saw the ball moved wide to Tom Lane who flicked a shuffle pass to Nyle Beckett to put the winger in for Kenilworth’s first try of the afternoon. Kendall added the extras and Ks turned around with a 13-5 lead.

Kenilworth got out of the blocks early in the second half but went unrewarded and it was then the hosts’ turn to enjoy some good possession.

The Kenilworth defence remained solid and a successful penalty is all they surrendered from the prolonged period of Stratford attack.

As Kenilworth attempted to break out, Patrick Jenkinson was shown a yellow for hands in the ruck.

With Stratford chipping away at the deficit, the task looked that much harder for the visitors and the next Stratford attack saw them retake the lead with a well-worked converted try down the right.

A further penalty to the hosts extended their lead to 18-13 and, with only one score in it, the stage was set for a grandstand finish.

With time running down, Kenilworth were awarded a series of penalties close to the Stratford line.

As the ball was moved wide, an attempted pass was slapped down by the Stratford winger and another penalty awarded.

The ball was moved inside and found Nick Collett who spotted a gap close to the posts and smashed over for the score to bring the teams level. Kendall, showing no nerves, slotted over the conversion to give Ks the lead deep into injury time.

But there was more to come.

From the restart, Stratford took the ball into the Kenilworth half in search of an unlikely win and were awarded a penalty 20 metres out on the left.

The angle seemed to favour the kicker and he appeared to strike it well but as the ball arched through the darkening sky it veered left of the upright and the chance was gone.