Three-try salvo sets up a season-defining win for Kenilworth

Kenilworth made a real statement of intent by defeating the league leaders with a scoreline that ultimately flattered the visitors.

In the opening exchanges, OLs were highly effective in moving the ball through the forwards with some tight passing and good support runners. But for all their efforts in these first ten minutes, all they had to show was a solitary penalty and a 3-0 lead. 

Having absorbed all the early pressure, Kenilworth looked to counter- attack at pace and good hands from Andy Whitehall, Jimmy Middleton and Simon Tyler took the ball to within five metres of the visitors’ line. After being forced into touch, they regrouped and, a couple of pick-and-drives later, James Wadey touched down for Kenilworth’s first points of the afternoon. O’Brien added the extras. 

Almost from the kick-off, Ks moved the ball left but a knock-on gave the scrum to OLs. The exchange between nine and ten was well read by Gareth Renowden who intercepted the pass and ran 30 metres unopposed to double the home score. 

Kenilworth then quickly added another try with Nyle Beckett breaking OLs’ line. The score came at a cost, however, with Beckett pulling up just before touching down with a hamstring strain.

The momentum was clearly with Kenilworth and a Harry O’Brien penalty extended their lead to 24-3 with just over 20 minutes having elapsed.

The leaders hit back with two penalties, the second of which saw Jack Gibson receive a yellow card for lying on at the ruck, but Kenilworth were in unforgiving mood and Dominic Sheehan neatly stepped his man to put Tyler over and secure the hosts a bonus point with just over half an hour played.

The touchdown introduced a real urgency into OLs’ play and an unconverted try and penalty narrowed Kenilworth’s advantage to 31-17 at the break.

OLs started the second half in the same way as they had the first and, after Whitehall had lost the ball in the tackle, took full advantage to move the ball wide and allow their winger to cross under the posts.

Suddenly, what looked like a comfortable win for the home side was now a seven-point game.

However, a yellow card for OLs’ number seven swung the pendulum back Kenilworth’s way.

Renowden lost the ball over the line, but shortly after, Ks won a penalty within kicking range and O’Brien made sure to make it a two-score lead.

OLs were playing with the urgency of a side who believed they could still nick it, only for outstanding defence from the home side to keep them at bay.

The pressure did eventually tell in the final play of the game when, after a number of pick-and-drives, the visitors scored a converted try, but Kenilworth had already done enough to secure a famous win.