Kenilworth still riding high; Old Leams outwitted by Old Coventrians - The Leamington Observer

Kenilworth still riding high; Old Leams outwitted by Old Coventrians

Leamington Editorial 6th Feb, 2020   0

KENILWORTH earned sweet revenge for their previous defeat to Hereford by winning the latest encounter 29-20 at Glasshouse Lane.

Victory keeps David Ellis’ third-placed side in touch with the leading pack of Dudley Kingswinford and Lichfield in Midlands One West, despite having captain Bobby Thompson missing from the matchday squad.

A scrum penalty was the source of the opening points of the game for the hosts, with Jayde Cruickshank doing the honours to kick his side into the lead.

Kenilworth’s advantage soon stood at ten points, after Mikkel Andresen crossed over, followed by Cruickshank’s conversion, on 25 minutes.




While Hereford pushed hard for a response, their efforts were in vain against a sturdy Kenilworth defence, as the home side went 16 points in front with two quickfire penalties from Cruickshank.

Some hope was restored before half-time when the visitors crossed the line with a converted score, while both sides exchanged penalties upon the restart.


Hereford’s comeback hopes were well and truly alive when a second converted try of the game was scored with 15 minutes remaining.

But Kenilworth quickly doused the visitors’ flame, as Andresen crashed over the whitewash, followed by another successful Cruickshank kick, to edge further in front.

A penalty from the visitors closed the score to 26-20 as the two teams searched for a final score, one which was provided for the fifth time in the encounter by Cruickshank – kicking a final penalty in the dying moments to see out victory.

Kenilworth visit Worcester Wanderers on Saturday (2.15pm).


A ONE-SIDED affair in Midlands Three West (South) went the way of Old Coventrians in a 47-10 victory against the underwhelming Old Leamingtonians.

All seemed to be going well when Bradley James converted his own score just two minutes into the game for the hosts at Bericote Road.

An unconverted try from Harvey Joy, who waltzed through the misplaced defence to score, reduced the deficit, though James extended the lead to five points with a well-struck penalty.

But Old Leams’ fortunes went downhill from there, as Scott Parry levelled in the corner with a second OCs try on 28 minutes, before Corey Joy put his side 15-10 ahead with a third from close range.

Six more tries went the way of the visitors in the second half, who also had the wind in their favour, to stretch out their lead.

Parry scored twice for his hat-trick, Luke Closs-Parry claimed the sole converted score, while tries from Josh James, Ollie Clark and Jake Shellis completed a fine bonus point win.

Old Leamingtonians have a weekend off before hosting Woodrush on Saturday, February 15, when Old Coventrians welcome Rugby St Andrews for a top of the table clash at Tile Hill Lane (both 2pm).

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