Kenilworth unable to build on rampant first quarter

Having built a comfortable lead inside the first 15 minutes, Kenilworth subsequently contrived to lose out in all departments, leaving director of rugby Richard Gibson with much to ponder going into tomorrow’s encounter against high-flying Sutton Coldfield, writes Bob Jones.

Kenilworth commenced with power, pace and purpose and Andy Whitehall was sent on his way only to be bundled into touch. However, he was on the scoresheet in the fifth minute, a storming run and offload by Sam Flowers having paved the way. Kendall added the extras.

Despite Phil Dickson being forced to retire to be replaced by Catalin-Andre Graur in the pack, further points were not long in coming.

Bobby Thompson obliged with a trademark thundering drive to the line and Kendall added the conversion.

Stratford, hitherto having seen little of the ball, began to get things together. They were awarded a penalty for a high tackle but the kick was missed by fly-half Simon Brain.

As the half drew to a close, a Brain penalty kick to the corner set up a position from which another penalty for not releasing was conceded.

This pressure led to an unconverted try in the left corner.

Perhaps a sign of things to come, Ks’ restart sailed directly into touch.

Then Stratford full-back Joe Cook, who had an impressive afternoon, waltzed through the Kenilworth defence but lost the ball as he was about to touch down.

A chaotic passage of play ended the half and saw Kenilworth’s lead cut to six points by a Brain penalty goal.

Stratford opened the second half as they had concluded the first, appearing much more eager and organised than their opponents.

A neat touch-finder deep into the visitors 22 by home number eight Dave Pritchard, then a missed tackle by Andy Fox, led to a 53rd-minute try by Cook, who once again demonstrated his attacking potency with a long, jinking run. The conversion by Brain edged Stratford into the lead.

To their credit, Ks regained the advantage just two minutes later via a Kendall penalty goal.

There was also a quick riposte from Stratford.

A clever blind-side move between scrum-half Drew Pritchard and left-winger Jay Kennedy, who was clear to the line, was curtailed by a hand from Fox, which earned him a yellow card.

As the game entered its final quarter, more pressure, and a drive near the Kenilworth line, enabled prop James Hancock to go over near the posts. Brain converted to give the hosts a 22-17 advantage.

Kenilworth were now living off scraps as Stratford turned the screw and a Jamie Peacock knock-on as the line beckoned, plus a final frantic effort by the pack in the the Stratford 22, were all they could muster as the game slipped away.