KENILWORTH crashed to a 45-5 home defeat to Midlands Two West (South) leaders Droitwich, writes Bruce Doe.
Droitwich showed their confidence in the opening stages, taking the game to Kenilworth, and the visitors were soon within in touching distance of the hosts’ line.
They were rewarded for their territory with a scrum before opening the scoring after four successive ‘pick and gos’ that took them over the whitewash to the right of the posts.
The subsequent conversion gave them an early 7-0 lead.
Kenilworth responded by putting pressure on Droitwich following the restart and taking possession of the ball before Raj Bahey went over towards the touch line to score Kenilworth’s first, and only, try of the match.
The conversion was missed.
espite Kenilworth’s brave commitment in the tackle, Droitwich went over for the second converted try, again close to the posts, with the conversion making it 14-5 to the visitors.
All credit to Kenilworth though who won a penalty when they returned to the Droitwich half, resulting in a line out near to the visitors’ 22.
Unfortunately a penalty thwarted Kenilworth’s efforts and Droitwich cleared their lines.
By now the rain was extremely heavy making handling and ball retention very difficult.
After Josh O’Brien was penalised for a knock on Droitwich attacked to the left with their pack driving towards the Kenilworth line from the subsequent scrum before touching down.
The successful conversion extended their lead to 21-5.
With half time approaching, Droitwich scored another try out wide, this time unconverted.
After the break Droitwich again took the game strongly to Kenilworth and went over for an unconverted try to take the score to 31-5.
As injuries and tiredness crept in for Kenilworth, changes were being made, with a strong-looking and busy Lloyd Phillips coming on in place of Chris Pemble for his first XV debut before Will Blackmore made way for Marcus Andrew.
Adam Turner also came off the bench and had a good first touch gaining 20 to 30 metres by stepping inside towards the Droitwich posts.
The well organised Droitwich defence held firm though and they quickly and efficiently made progress up the park towards Kenilworth’s 22.
It was on the 22 that the referee awarded a penalty against Kenilworth for an infringement at the breakdown, resulting in Tondi Mpambawashe being yellow carded.
To rub salt into the wounds, Droitwich crossed again for their sixth try, which was this time converted, to extend their lead to 38-5.
It was only five minutes later that Droitwich crossed again.
With an increasing number of Kenilworth players carrying knocks, and with one man down, the Droitwich forwards yet again drove towards the hosts’ line and one of their second rows drove over from just a few feet out.
That was to be the final try of the match and with the successful conversion, it finished with Droitwich securing a 45-5 victory.
Up next for Kenilworth is a trip to Berkswell & Balsall today (Saturday).
