Stratford fightback stuns Kenilworth

Kenilworth suffered an agonising Midlands One West defeat after letting slip a 14-point lead to their fellow strugglers, writes Ralph Murray.

However, despite contributing to their own downfall with a succession of infringements, a number of key injuries also played a part in Ks’ downfall.

It had all looked so promising for the hosts after a slick series of moves put Jack Gibson over for the day’s opening try with only two minutes on the clock. Tom Kendall added the extras.

Almost directly from the restart, Stratford advanced towards Ks’ line and won a penalty in what seemed an eminently kickable position. When the kick was missed the omens seemed good for what would have been a critical win for the home side.

After a number of promising attacks had stalled, Kenilworth extended their lead on the half-hour mark. George Trafford broke the defensive line and, as he was tackled just before the tryline, produced the slickest of offloads to Bobby Thompson who scored close to the posts. Again Kendall added the two to give Kenilworth a 14-0 lead.

Stratford came thundering back with a probing attack instigated by full-back Joe Cook who had a fine afternoon. The attack looked destined to end in a try under the posts but a huge effort by Phil Dickson prevented a certain score.

It signalled the beginning of a sustained period of pressure on the home line which was eventually rewarded with a penalty to reduce the arrears.

The penalty count mounted against the hosts after the break and Stratford came close to their first try after a series of attacks close to the Kenilworth line but the ball-carrier was held up.

The tension produced a flare-up between the players under the Kenilworth posts and, after a lecture to both captains, the home side relieved the pressure from the ensuing penalty kick.

However, Kenilworth ceded their advantage when Jack Gibson’s infringement led to a yellow card, with Stratford touching down for an unconverted try from the subsequent phases.

Back came Stratford and as the pressure mounted, Dickson joined Simon Tyler and Sam Flowers on the sidelines after picking up an eye injury.

The rejigging of the three-quarters caused further disruption in the Kenilworth ranks and Stratford mounted another attack which saw the ball spun wide for a score in the left-hand corner. Again Brain missed the conversion but Stratford had now moved to within a point at 14-13.

The momentum was definitely with the visitors and a series of errors by the hosts gave Stratford a lineout close to the Kenilworth line.

It seemed Kenilworth had contained the drive but a neat flick put the ball into the hands of the Stratford winger, who made no mistake.

The conversion was again missed leaving Kenilworth to try and frantcially claw back the four-point deficit in the dying minutes.

However, with some key decision-makers having already left the fray, Kenilworth’s young side lacked the know-how to make Stratford pay.