KENILWORTH Ladies secured their first win in four games on Sunday as they beat the Banbury Belles 24-0 on a wet and windy afternoon at Bodicote Park, reports Sophie Freestone.
Gemma Gilleece came close to scoring an early try for Kenilworth but she was held up just metres short of the line.
However the visitors did make the most of their strong start with Annie Rankin scoring her second try in as many games although the conversion by skipper Sarah Munday was missed.
The lead was extended further thanks to another try down the right and it was Gilleece who eventually got her name on the scoresheet to give Kenilworth a 10-0 lead after just 20 minutes.
With half-time approaching, the visitors were looking for a third try and it soon came through Caroline Spence, who after some powerful and decisive running, managed to break free from Banbury’s defence just inside the home side’s 22 to touch down under the posts.
The conversion was successful from Munday and the visitors lead was extended to 17 points at half-time.
With the second half under way, the strong wind was now in Banbury’s favour and their attacking play on the right wing was dangerous. The hosts posed some problems after the break but Kenilworth’s tackling was excellent and the visitors were able to nullify the threat from the Belles.
Despite having the weather conditions against them during the second half, that did not hold them back.
Spence and Ada Ajoku continued to make some superbly powerful breaks up the middle of the park, and Kenilworth soon found themselves inside the Belles’ 22. Gilleece was involved once again, almost scoring her second try of the match, but was unfortunate to knock the ball on as she went over the line.
The fourth try did come however, courtesy of Spence who added to her earlier score as she crossed to the right of the posts. Munday added the extras to give the home side a 24-0 lead.
As the match drew to a close, Banbury continued to attack down the right but they were unable to take advantage of their attacking opportunities in some good field positions and the match ended with Kenilworth securing a deserved 24-0 victory.
