Skipper Cresswell leads by example as Kenilworth hold off Sills fightback

An industrious opening quarter saw no score for either side until an offside call gave the hosts an opportunity to open their account.

However, captain Jonny Cresswell had other ideas. Taking a quick tap he found standoff Alex Selby on a perfect line on his shoulder and he touched down between the sticks.

A successful conversion by Josh Hickman gave Kenilworth a 7-0 lead with half an hour played.

The score provided a change in momentum and Kenilworth looked to increase their advantage.

Another good touch-finder provided another attacking platform and, with the ball secured, the Kenilworth pack began the maul to the line.

A charge down by flanker Pete Nancarrow set up ball for the home side’s next score.

Selby’s inside ball found Cresswell on the charge but the captain was held up just short.

He would not be denied, though, and touched down with a great second effort.

Again Hickman added the extras and the hosts were two scores ahead with the interval in sight.

Sills began the second half at a gallop and were looking to get back.

A series of moves saw the left wing in acres of space and a seemingly easy run to the line but a great effort from substitute Jimmy Middleton prevented a certain score.

Pressure would eventually tell and, after a series of punishing runs close to the line, the visitors scored a deserved first try and the successful conversion halved the deficit at 14-7.

Gareth Renowden proved his mettle with a sure hit when exposed one-on-one.

And the scrum-half showed what he could do at the other end when, a man to the good after Silhillians’ prop was sin-binned for back chat, he picked up smartly and beat his opposite number before Hickman took the offload having hit the line with a well-timed run.

The full-back showed great pace as he crossed for a third try.

Sills responded without delay. Having secured ball from a lineout it was worked smartly through the hands before their centre crossed.

They added another soon after to narrow the gap to 21-19.

There are moments which truly define a game and affect its outcome.

On the next Sills attack Cresswell thundered into a ruck and drove the attackers back.

The ball was hacked forward and the captain followed it up with a lung-bursting effort to hound the full-back as he attempted to secure the possession.

In the resultant scavenge the hooker won possession and the put-in at the resultant scrum.

With time running down Kenilworth were looking to close the game out as they pushed close to the Sills line.

Following a penalty for a deliberate collapse, Renowden chipped the ball dead to end another enthralling contest.

A game of mixed fortunes for Kenilworth with some wonderful attacking play only let down by monetary lapses.

The new-look back-row were first class with Mikkel Andreson having a stand-out debut at blindside flanker.

Silhillians, once again, came to play and provided the big crowd a game of real excitement and no little skill.

These two teams are becoming fierce rivals but never at the expense of the spirit of the game and that is to both teams’ credit.