Kenilworth run leaders close in thriller at Worcester

Kenilworth ran Regional 2 Midlands West leaders Worcester close but were pipped 27-26 in a thilling contest on Saturday.

The Kenilworth squad travelled down the M40 and M5 to Worcestershire, just over the road from Worcester Warriors ground at Six Ways, to take on a side sitting proudly undefeated at the top of the table.

But travelling supporters witnessed a top performance from their team - the grit, resilience, determination and mainly effective execution there for all to see.

Worcester really came out of the blocks and put Kenilworth under pressure immediately with slick handling, productive running lines and offloads.

When Kenilworth did have the ball in these early exchanges, they too attacked with panache and fortitude, but couldn’t quite finish productively.

On eight minutes Worcester managed to score the opening try through No.8 George Boyle, who went over the line after being on the end of effective continuity by his Worcester team mates. This score was unconverted.

These opening salvos really tested the Kenilworth defensive organisation and after 12 minutes, the effective Worcester continuity clicked again after Kenilworth could not deal with a ball over the top of their defensive line.

This resulted in inside centre Bed Waddington gratefully going over the try line to score. This made the score 12-0 to Worcester, the conversion pushed wide by Waddington himself.

The next 14 minutes saw both teams trying to gain ascendency in the match, only broken up by penalties.

One such penalty to Kenilworth, resulted in a lineout drive with Lewis Hall, going over. Charlie Wollaston nudged the conversion wide, to make the score 12-5.

Kenilworth put points on the board again within the next five minutes after a period of concerted pressure, continuity and physicality from the whole team.

Several good jinking runs, especially by winger Dylan Bevan and centre Tommy Hunter resulted in territory gained.

They eventually scored through skipper Ted Bromwich, going over the line after a forward drive and several pick and go's.

Full back Charlie Wollaston converted to make the score 12-12.

The next period of play saw both teams being regularly pinged by the referee for several misdemeanours, and this slightly broke the game up from its previous pace and panache.

Just before half-time Worcester scored again from a penalty kick to touch, another forward drive off after securing the lineout, and the Kenilworth forwards unable to stop the momentum. The conversion was missed again and at half-time the score was 17-12.

Kenilworth played up the slight incline after the break, but this did not faze them .

Worcester’s stoic team took advantage of an early yellow card shown to Kenilworth winger Sam Williams for an alleged high tackle and scored next with the numerical advantage.

The try scorer actually released the ball as he applied downward pressure in the act of scoring, but the score was allowed and the conversion again pushed wide to put Worcester ahead.

Worcester scored another five points quickly afterwards to put the score at 27-12.

Twenty minutes into the second half replacement Finn Nicol scored an opportunist try when Worcester were unable to clear their lines.

Charlie Wollaston nudged the conversion over to claw back more points to 27-19.

The following 10 to 12 minutes were mainly Kenilworth’s, as they fought back.

This determined approach saw replacement Matt Gibson score a try, again from a lineout drive, several pick and goes and a score. The try was converted by Charlie Wollaston to make it 27-26.

In the final minutes Kenilworth went through the phases and were looking for the crucial winning score into the Worcester half and red zone.

But time was called as vice-captain Max Brain was forced into touch by Worcester’s defence.     

This was a fantastic game of rugby for the watching crowd and a great advert for the community game as Kenilworth secured two league points from the narrowest of defeats.

Kenilworth now lie fifth in the league and Worcester remain top and still unbeaten.

Kenilworth men’s first XV now have a weekend off, but the women’s first XV are at home on Saturday to Cheltenham Tigers (2pm).