Kenilworth cling on to knock out Old Eds

Kenilworth progressed into the second round of the Warwickshire Cup by means of a narrow victory over their rivals from the north of the county.

Fielding three-quarters that included two usual members of the back-row, and containing players who had hitherto not appeared in the first XV, the win was a timely morale-booster for the both the squad and coach after a difficult season, writes Bob Jones.

Kenilworth, playing with the wind at their backs, stormed out of the blocks from the kick-off and within five minutes had mounted several threatening moves, the final one of which saw talismanic skipper Jonny Cresswell thunder over for an unconverted try.

They kept up the pressure, especially in the tight and Old Eds offered little in response at this stage.

However, they sprang into life on the quarter-hour and levelled the scores with a well-worked try in the left corner.

More good scrummaging by Kenilworth, with the front-row and Ian Phillips especially prominent, paid dividends ten minutes later.

Pressure and a penalty award in the Nuneaton 22 saw Cresswell tap and go over for his second try, which was converted by Jake Povey.

Although little was seen of Ks’ backs in attack, fly-half Dominic Sheehan impressed with both boot and hand.

With five minutes of the half remaining, Old Eds, who had gradually gained a foothold, drew level.

A penalty to touch near the corner was followed by a drive by the pack and a converted try under the posts. The action was completed by an altercation involving Phillips and his opposing number eight that saw both receive yellow cards.

Within the first six minutes of the second half, the Glasshouse Lane crew posted two tries, both courtesy of the wily Tom Nicholson, which opened up a substantial lead.

The first was initiated by a characteristic Cresswell charge that began in his own half. Povey missed the conversion but was successful with his next.

Jack Gibson showed his fitness, strength and speed in carving through the defence to near the Old Eds 22. No one was in support to take the scoring pass but further powerful drives by the pack culminated in Nicholson touching down.

With the advantage of the wind, the visitors came more into the contest, with one mighty penalty punt to the corner negated by the crooked lineout throw that followed.

Andy Fox had to make a timely save near his line to thwart an attack but an ensuing one ended with a converted try as the cover was breached.

With their tails up and victory in sight, the Nuneaton forwards spent the remainder of the match, which included ten minutes of added time, pounding away at the Kenilworth line, aided by a series of penalties.

It was all hands to the pump for Ks but somehow they managed to survive.

 Kenilworth have bolstered their squad with three new signings.

Tom Lane is a 26-year-old second- rower who has moved to the area from Bristol where he played for North Bristol, while 25-year-old centre Simon Tyler has made the switch from Leamington.

Josh McShane, 19, is the current Coventry University captain, who was previously with Old Wheatleyans.