In truly awful conditions - saturated underfoot, bitterly cold, windy and wet, Kenilworth saw off the challenge of a combative Stratford side to progress to the next round of the Warwickshire Cup (writes Bob Jones).

It was the visitors who dominated the opening exchanges, forcing a series of penalty awards, one of which was dispatched by their fly-half to open the scoring after six minutes. The Kenilworth pack gradually got to grips with both the elements and their opponents, Rob Varney finishing off a powerful surge with a try, which Glenn Bond converted on the quarter-hour. Stratford responded quickly with an unconverted try. More pressure from the home forwards, mainly within the Stratford 22, failed to accrue more points, before a neat pick-up by Andy Fox started a move that was carried on, and finished, by Gareth Renowden. Bond was unable to add the conversion points. Just prior to half-time, Bond slotted a superb long-range penalty goal, which made the score 15-8 at the interval.

Continuing to kick for territory and set up forward drives paid dividends for Kenilworth within three minutes of the start of the second half. Tristan Wati thundered over from close range, Bond converting to stretch the lead. The deplorable weather was the backdrop for much slipping and skidding, and a catalogue of errors by both sides for the remainder of the game. Russell Clarke replaced Fox, and Ian Phillips came on for James Wadey at the start of the final quarter. More territorial advantage and good work by the pack, brought a well-deserved, unconverted try for Francis Nock on the half-hour. In the dying throes, Bond retired with a leg injury, Dave Clements entering the fray. The final tally, 27-8.

Kenilworth: Fox, Raby, E. Brown, Hyslop, Whitehall, Bond, Renowden, N. Collett, Varney, Wati, Watts, Wadey, Stevens, Nock, Thompson. Replacements: Clarke, Phillips, Clements.

Their best performance of the season, and an exceptional first half, enabled Kenilworth to comfortably see off the challenge of league-leaders Luctonians, in bitterly cold conditions at Glasshouse Lane. A tremendous all-round effort by the pack, who subdued their heavier opponents for most of the game, accompanied by astute kicking and slick handling by the backs, provided the platform for success (writes Bob Jones).

The home side came out of the blocks at full pelt, and after conceding two very early penalties, their forwards set out their stall with clever play. This led to a stunning move initiated by the excellent Paul Thompson, and carried on by Jamie Peacock, which concluded with a scintillating run by, and an unconverted try for, Andy Whitehall after seven minutes. Lucs managed only sporadic attacks, but it took a great clearance kick by Elliot Brown to avert danger, before outside-centre Mells broke clear, but knocked on. Luke Watts, Thompson and Peacock then combined superbly, but the move was spoilt by accidental offside in the visitors' 22. It mattered not, because Dave Clements immediately gathered the ball and waltzed through the defence before offloading to Brown, whose pace and strength saw him home for another unconverted try on 17 minutes. Peacock and his half-back partner Russell Clarke, were controlling the game, the territorial kicking of the latter being especially effective. The constant pressure was too much for Lucs, and their talismanic No 8, Paul Hulland, who was shown the yellow card on 34 minutes after persistent infringements. His absence was rued, when three minutes later, James Wadey stormed over from close range, Clarke converting the try, to make the score 17-0 at the interval.

Kenilworth maintained their impetus at the start of the second half. First Brown, then Peacock, made great breaks, before the scrum-half was integral in sending Whitehall on his way towards the line. An ensuing forward drive ended with Francis Nock seizing the ball and crashing over for an unconverted try after six minutes, to further stretch the sizeable lead. Staring a heavy defeat in the face, Lucs' pedigree began to come to the fore. They raised their game. Their pack began to dominate in the tight and their backs to spin the ball at every opportunity. Nonetheless, as it had earlier, the Ks' defence held firm, with Jez Noon in particular making some crunching tackles. This was, however, until 17 minutes, when sustained pressure near the home line enabled Mells to cross for an unconverted try. Over-enthusiasm by the men from deepest Herefordshire resulted in two long-range penalty awards, both narrowly missed by Brown. For the final 10 minutes, Andy Lawrence was replaced by Chris Collett, as Luctonians continued to batter away without success. Yet more good work by the Ks, including one move with Wadey in the van, which was ended by a high tackle on Whitehall, reaped further reward, when Clarke despatched a penalty goal for going over the top. John Raby made a last-minute appearance for Whitehall, before Lucs grabbed a consolation try in added time, the lively Garrod crossing and converting in front of the posts, to make the final score 25-12.

Kenilworth : E. Brown, Whitehall, Noon, Hyslop, Clements, Clarke, Peacock, N. Collett, Davies (Capt.), Lawrence, Watts, Wadey, McGuire, Nock, Thompson. Replacements: C. Collett, Phillips, Raby.

What a difference a week makes. A superb display against the league leaders was followed by a below-par and error-strewn performance by Kenilworth, who were well beaten by Peterborough. The Fen men, from one of the extremities of what may loosely be called the Midlands, and containing a number of representatives from much further east in Europe, were both too physical and well-organized for the Glasshouse Lane crew (writes Bob Jones).

The robust approach of the home side led to two kickable penalty awards within the first ten minutes, Glenn Bond slotting the second to edge the Ks into the lead. A missed tackle by Andy Whitehall nearly sent Peterborough away, but a knock-on saved the day. At this point, play was end-to-end and without any particular pattern. Jamie Peacock and Bond made decent breaks before Andrew McGuire came to the rescue to curtail a home advance. Another missed tackle saw the ball released across the Peterborough backs, who swept up-field and over for an unconverted try on 23 minutes. More loose play by the Ks was punished by a second unconverted try by right-wing Chris Kells on the half-hour. The home side were not averse to transgressing the laws in order to subdue any threatening attacks by the visitors, and on 35 minutes, flanker Marius Andrijauskas was shown the yellow card by referee Craig Wilson. Their misdemeanours did not diminish in his absence, a lineout offence giving Bond a second successful shot at goal on the stroke of half time, at which the score was 10-6.

Within a couple of minutes of the start of the second half, Kenilworth lost their influential captain Paul Thompson with a leg injury. Dom Carrick came into the second row and James Wadey moved to No 8. Indiscipline then cost Kenilworth three points. An offside decision, followed by dissent and a further 10m, gave Gedis Marcisuaskas the chance to stretch the lead after eight minutes. This appeared to wake up the visitors, and a few minutes later, resulted in the best individual piece of skill on show all afternoon. Elliot Brown picked up the ball close to his own line and proceeded to thread his way through the entire Peterborough defence to touch down. Bond added an impressive conversion that brought the scores level. Unfortunately, this was as good as it was to get for the Ks. They lost Jez Noon with a cut head at the start of the final quarter, John Raby replacing him. Still bent on snuffing out any threat from their visitors by either fair or foul means, Peterborough had prop James Clarke sin-binned on 23 minutes. However, it was a measure of their superiority that in his and a subsequent absence, there were two further tries. The first ,converted by Duncan Low after 27 minutes, was followed by an unconverted one shortly before the final whistle. Prior to the latter, Tristan Wati received a yellow card for obstruction. This necessitated Chris Collett coming into the front row and Luke Watts being withdrawn from the pack. At the death, on a beautiful winters' afternoon in East Anglia, the score was 25-13.

Kenilworth: Bond, Clements, Noon, Brown, Whitehall, Clarke, Peacock, N. Collett, Varney, Wati, Wadey, Watts, McGuire, Nock, Thompson (Capt.). Replacements: C. Collett, Carrick, Raby.

In the traditional welcoming atmosphere of the Ivor Preece Field, on a cold, damp, dark, December Sunday afternoon, Kenilworth's second-string overcame a formidable obstacle en route to the final of the County Second Team Cup, by narrowly defeating their old and fierce rivals, Broadstreet. A very good game, in which each side dominated a half, went right to the wire, with a last gasp drop-goal attempt just failing to gain the boys from Binley Woods a spell of extra time (writes Bob Jones).

The first half started as it was to continue, with Kenilworth in the driving seat; their forwards and backs combining in a succession of slick moves that delighted the large band of travelling supporters. With outside-half Mark Rae calling the shots, and his partner Gareth Renowden in combative mode, two tries by Rick Smith, the second converted by Rae, opened up a 12-point lead within as many minutes. Against the run of play, full-back Wayne Lester collected a clever cross-kick to score wide-out on 20 minutes. Good work by Ian Bowden was followed by a great run by Ross Bayston. Unfortunately, as he was about to cross unopposed, the ball spilled from his grasp. The home side resorted to various forms of illegal activity to try and stem the tide, a blatant transgression leading to a yellow card for one of their props. The resulting penalty award was converted by Rae to stretch the lead on the half-hour. Prior to the interval, at which the score was 5-15, first James Hersey, then Renowden went close.

The second half was quite a different affair. Broadstreet, realizing that they could not match the fluidity of the Ks game, adopted a tight, forward-based approach. However, it was a smart move by their threequarters, and great final pass that saw Lester home for his second try, converted by their fly-half, after five minutes, thereby reducing the lead to three points. It took a great tackle by Renowden to stop a threatening attack. There then followed a most peculiar passage of play, during which the referee contrived to award a series of penalties against the visitors in quick succession, some for backchat yielding 10m. As Broadstreet continued to press, they were undone by a smart interception try from Bayston, converted by Rae on 26 minutes. Following an altercation with his former team-mates,Kenilworth lost Tom Watts to the sin-bin. In his absence, Street crossed for a converted try on the half-hour, to set up a tense finale. Tim Driffil replaced Mark Powell, who like the remainder of the pack, had performed superbly. Bowden made a great pick-up and added a superb touch-finder to both clear danger and set up territorial advantage, and a Renowden chip and chase nearly paid dividends. Jai Purewal came on close to time, with Street frantically searching for a score. It nearly came via a drop-goal attempt by Lester, but the final whistle intervened.

A visit from last seasons' Intermediate Cup winners, who, at the outset, were lying fourth, one point and place above their hosts, in Midlands One, was never going to be easy. In the end, a close, action-packed game, in which defence ruled and penalties abounded, was won by the home side. Kenilworth were superior up front, but the Chester backs were always dangerous (writes Bob Jones).

Hands in a ruck saw Alex Stajka open the scoring for the Ks after just two minutes. A further two had elapsed when referee Steve Johnson penalised Kenilworth for not releasing, and thereby allowed Tom Foden to even matters. Chester were determined to keep a firm grip on the game, and demonstrated as much with a high tackle after eight minutes, Stajka's penalty goal re-establishing a narrow lead. The home pack was causing its counterpart trouble; on one occasion making it disintegrate with a massive shove. Nonetheless, when the visiting threequarters got moving, it took superb tackles by James Hersey and Elliot Brown to halt progress. On 20 minutes, after the Ks had been penalised for holding on, Foden levelled the scores with another penalty goal. A similar offence by Chester saw Stajka restore the lead five minutes later. Almost immediately, a handling mistake under pressure by the Kenilworth fly-half allowed the visitors to gain valuable territory. A subsequent driving maul through the Ks' 22 saw hooker Dewi Williams touch down for an unconverted try on 27 minutes, to edge Chester into the lead. In end-to-end play, first Francis Nock and James Wadey combined to release Andy Whitehall, then the latter was in action with a try-saving tackle on his opposite number. Gareth Renowden, Hersey and Ricky Hyslop each made good runs, before Chester were penalised for killing the ball, Stajka maintaining his impressive place-kicking record with another penalty goal that made the score 12-11 at half time.

The first ten minutes of the second half saw Chester, now with the assistance of the wind, and fired with a series of astute kicks by Foden and centre Simon Verbickas, lay seige to the Kenilworth line. The Ks, urged on by captain Matt Davies, responded well. Indiscipline appeared in the Chester ranks. Mr Johnson administered a stern warning, rather than yellow card, for one blatant offence that was punished with another Stajka penalty goal after 13 minutes. Eight fractious minutes later, a high tackle on Nock saw lock Gareth Sanger sent to the sin-bin. His absence told. After the Ks had mounted a series of forward drives, which were met with a string of offences, within the visitors' 22, the referee decided that enough was enough, and awarded a penalty try, which was converted by Stajka after 24 minutes, to open up a sizeable lead. To their credit, Chester battled on, with more good touch-finders by Verbickas setting up territorial advantage. However, it was a swirling kick into the in-goal area, which eluded Dave Clements, that resulted in an unconverted try by full-back Sean Green in the 38th minute. With little time added, the pulsating contest concluded 22-16.

Kenilworth: E. Brown, Whitehall, Hersey, Hyslop, Clements, Stajka, Renowden, N. Collett, Davies (Capt.), Wati, Watts, Wadey, McGuire, Nock, Smith. Replacements: Varney, Stevens,Raby.

Ath's bustling approach saw them dominate the opening stages, but on seven minutes they were penalised for not rolling away, thereby allowing Russell Clarke to open the scoring with a penalty goal. Referee Nick Cockburn was quick to penalise a continuing stream of transgressions by both sides in this untidy phase of play. Kenilworth gradually began to find an answer to the robust tactics being employed by Ath. An Elliott Brown kick ahead was further hacked on by the speedy Andy Whitehall, who won the race to a touchdown after 26 minutes. Clarke was unable to convert the try. Three minutes later, the impressive Brown crossed for an unconverted try of his own that was initiated by Gareth Renowden and fashioned by Andrew McGuire. Following the restart, Dave Clements unleashed a powerful run, after good work by James Wadey and Paul Thompson. In the thick of close-quarter action as always, Tristan Wati was sin-binned for foul play on 35 minutes. Ross Lowthian came into the front row, with James Wadey being withdrawn as a consequence. Mr Cockburn brandished a further yellow card before the break - this time to Bedford flanker Mills for deliberately slowing down the game. There was a try for Kenilworth too, Francis Nock going over after a drive by the forwards. It was once again unconverted, and made the score 0-18 at the interval.

Wati made a very brief reappearance at the start of the second half. However, an injury picked up shortly before his yellow card, led to Lowthian replacing him for the rest of the game. This change did not diminish the efficacy of the Kenilworth pack. More good work by them enabled Thompson to touch down for a try that was converted by Clarke after five minutes. Seven minutes later, the best move of the game saw the ball finally reach Clements by means of an exquisite pass from Whitehall. The pace and skill of the full-back did the rest, but Clarke failed with another conversion attempt. Rick Smith replaced McGuire at the start of the final quarter, until which Ath had rarely been in the contest. Then a dangerous sortie required an excellent tackle by Brown to snuff it out. This was followed by a move that concluded with the ball being taken over the try line, but not grounded. The match official took exception to some obstructive play by Clarke in this episode, and despatched him to the sin-bin on 24 minutes. The resulting penalty award set up a position from which the home scrum-half was able to work his way over for a consolation try, which full-back Ryder converted. The Ks responded with more pressure via a series of scrums, one of which resulted in a try for James Hersey from close quarters. Brown converted it on 35 minutes to end the scoring. Clarke did not return, being replaced by Glen Bond for the remainder of the game, during which, a miserable afternoon for the Ath was rounded off by a penalty goal miss from in front of the posts.

Kenilworth: Clements, Raby, E. Brown, Hersey, Whitehall, Clarke, Renowden, N. Collett, Varney, Wati, Watts, Wadey, McGuire, Nock, Thompson Capt.). Replacements: Lowthian, Smith, Bond.

Kenilworth relinquished their hold on the Warwickshire Second Team Cup on a saturated pitch, in bitterly cold conditions, at Barkers Butts RFC. In spite of extra time and a narrow margin of victory, Old Eds were worthy winners, with the cup holders turning in an unusually ineffective performance (writes Bob Jones).

Nuneaton set out their stall from the outset, in the conditions adopting a sensible, robust, forward-based approach, with which Kenilworth found considerable difficulty in coping. A long delay early on, because of an injury to their hooker, did not disrupt Old Eds, and on the resumption, they soon took the lead with an unconverted try by flanker Flanagan, which was aided by some poor tackling. Some surges by Jai Purewal and a break by Ross Bayston were about all the Ks could muster. On 27 minutes, Old Eds stretched their lead with a try by one of their props, converted by fly-half Quick, whose tactical kicking had been very astute. It required some good tackles, with Purewal setting the example, to prevent further scores before half-time, at which the score was 12-0.

The second half started with Kenilworth getting territorial advantage, but still unable to unlock the Old Eds defence. Their cause was then aided by a series of cynical offences by their opponents, one of which resulted in a yellow card for Quick after 10 minutes. Bayston crossed for an unconverted try in his absence. The introduction of Rhidian Booth, Tim Driffil and Jimmy Middleton paid dividends, with the former in particular, spearheading efforts by the pack. Camped in the Old Eds 22 for a long period, awarded numerous penalties, and aided by another sin-binning, reward came by way of a Booth try, converted by Mark Rea, just before the 40- minute mark, which levelled the scores, and necessitated extra time. A penalty-goal by Old Eds in the first period of this remained unanswered, with many of the earlier failings by Kenilworth still evident until referee Deane Randell signalled the end of proceedings.

Kenilworth duly despatched a young, spirited, but indisciplined Hinckley side with ease on a dry sunny afternoon at Glasshouse Lane (writes Bob Jones).

From the kick-off, a steal by Dom Carrick saw the ball reach Gareth Renowden, but his kick ahead rolled over the dead-ball line. Hinckley's over-enthusiasm and inexperience was soon to the fore, and they went behind with a penalty goal by Russell Clarke after four minutes, the first of many awards by referee Paul Baynes, this one for diving into a ruck. Clarke then made good ground with a touch-finder, before a great pick up by Francis Nock, which followed a forward drive in the visitors' 22, led to a try for the flanker, Clarke converting to stretch the lead on 19 minutes. More pressure by the Ks, with Andy Whitehall and James Hersey prominent, came to nothing. However, another try followed after 26 minutes, when Andrew McGuire and Renowden combined to send in Dave Clements wide on the right. Clarke was unable to convert. A few minutes later, Mr Baynes brandished his first yellow card to Hinckley, after lock Sanderson had come in from the side. Clarke punished this indiscretion with a penalty goal. The home pack had dominance and this enabled the backs to run the ball at will. Nonetheless, it was McGuire who touched down next, following another driving maul. Clarke converted on 38 minutes, and at the interval the score was 28-0.

Hinckley started the second half aggressively - too much so, because scrum-half Smith was sin-binned after two minutes. In his absence, Paul Thompson secured the ball from a scrum, and sent Whitehall, Hersey and Renowden away. A set-piece that followed concluded with Ricky Hyslop crashing over from close range, Clarke converting on four minutes. A few minutes later, Hinckley got on the scoreboard with an unconverted try by left-wing Steven. The hard-working Carrick was replaced by Matt Cooper, but his appearance was brief, as he was forced to retire with a leg injury, and make way for Rob Varney. Glen Bond also replaced John Raby. At the start of the final quarter yet another misdemeanour by the visitors saw Clarke add a further penalty goal. The referee was to issue two further yellow cards-to the Hinckley fly-half Eke and Kenilworth's McGuire. On the stroke of full time, a missed pass sent Whitehall speeding in for an unconverted try. The last score, in added time, was to the visitors, centre Howgate crossing and Keeling converting. The final score was 43-12.

Kenilworth: Clements, Raby, Hersey, Hyslop, Whitehall, Clarke, Renowden, N. Collett, Davies (Capt.), Wati, Smith, Carrick, McGuire, Nock, Thompson. Replacements: Varney, Cooper, Bond.

A banana skin always awaits. Even with a number of first-choice players absent, what should have been a routine win against one of the basement boys in Midlands One, was well and truly botched by Kenilworth. The game, whose start was delayed because of wrangling over the playability of the main pitch at wet and bitterly cold Spring Lane - it eventually took place on another, was deservedly won by Malvern. They apparently turned in their best performance of the season. For their visitors, this was, by some distance, the worst (writes Bob Jones).

Fired up and containing some new recruits, the hosts tore into the Ks from the outset. The portents were not good when centre Watkins surged up field, having carved open the defence. Kenilworth lost lock Luke Watts with a sprained ankle after 10 minutes, Dom Carrick getting an early taste of the action. Unfortunately, this was at the other end of the pitch, where left-winger Beechey also had little difficulty in finding huge gaps on his way to the line, fly-half Gyucha converting the try on 12 minutes. Within a minute of the restart, it was the turn of right-wing Summers to repeat the dose, as Kenilworth looked on. It was left to the venerable Carrick to restore some respectability with a try, converted by Glen Bond, on 18 minutes. This followed just about the first decent move by the Ks, in which Pete Roberts had a significant role. However, it was no surprise when Summers crossed again 10 minutes later, to stretch the lead. Bond pulled back three points with a penalty goal after a Malvern man failed to release the ball in the tackle. Summers, who was having a field day, scored again after picking up an intelligent kick ahead. Referee Richard Campbell added a substantial period due to the various injuries suffered by both sides. During this, the Glasshouse Lane crew came more into the game, and were rewarded with a try from Dave Clements that was converted by Bond. Gareth Renowden initiated this with a neat kick ahead. At the interval the score was 24-17.

The second half, which both territorially and pressure-wise, belonged to Kenilworth, was though, characterised by several failings, notably their inability to hold on to crucial passes, get the ball into suitable positions from where the Malvern defence could be unlocked, and to stop conceding needless penalties. Malvern were not averse to transgressing the laws either, and Bond reduced the deficit to just four points with a penalty goal after 12 minutes. Gyucha replied in kind shortly afterwards. The remainder of the half was scrappy and frenetic. John Raby broke away, but the final pass went astray as the line beckoned. Unlike the home linesman, Matt Davies appeared convinced that he had not been in touch before the ball was grounded late on. However, in truth, this was a game that Kenilworth deserved to lose, and apart from the lessons to be learned, is best quickly forgotten.

Kenilworth: Clements, Raby, Hersey, Roberts, Whitehall, Bond, Renowden, N. Collett, Davies, Wati, Watts, Careless, McGuire, Nock, Smith. Replacements: Varney, Carrick, Bayston.

This was a day when Kenilworth used their get out of jail card well and won a game that for times, especially in the first half, they were under the cosh against a well drilled Newport side backed by a healthy and vocal travelling support, writes Willie Whitesmith. Kenilworth gave debuts to young Coventry University fly half Mark Rea and also to second row Stuart Eborall, signed from Blaydon but brought up in Kenilworth.

Newport started the game well and a good break caught Kenilworth offside but the penalty attempt failed. Debutant Mark Rea was looking good both in defence and on the attack but Kenilworth were soon on the back foot and lost a scrum against the head that created panic in the ranks. Some rough footwork by Newport saw K’s No7 Francis Nock’s shirt torn to shreds and a few minutes later, following some low level fisticuffs, both Nock and his opposite number were sent to the bin. Newport were dominating but Kenilworth slowly came into the game and good play by full back Brown resulted in a penalty which he duly converted to give Kenilworth a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes. The pressure from Newport returned and Kenilworth struggled to get out of their own half, and Newport crossed the line only for the referee to judge that the ball was held up. A break by Hersey relieved the pressure but Newport soon returned and won a scrum under the Kenilworth posts. For the first time the Kenilworth forwards began to show some authority with new boy Eborall and the ever reliable Thompson looking good. They won the ball against the head and the ball squirted out and was hacked on by Hersey who then proceeded with some footballing skills that Kenny Dalglish would have been proud of. He hacked the ball on and on into the Newport 22 and winger Andy Whitehall, shadowing Hersey all the way, was there to scoop the ball up and over the line for a surprise try that was not converted. The half finished with Kenilworth becoming dominant and Newport losing a second row to the bin. Half time 8-0.

Kenilworth started the second half in a better mode and should have scored a try when using their skilful backs captain Pete Roberts spilled the ball in sight of the line. Both sides were exerting pressure but Newport could not penetrate the Kenilworth defence whose forwards were now becoming the predominant force. Kenilworth lost their experienced hooker Mat Davies on 50 minutes and he was replaced by Rob Varney. Kenilworth continued to pressurise but good Newport defence kept them out. It was now becoming mostly Kenilworth who were awarded a penalty for a Newport player blatantly coming in from the side. Brown’s kick was well struck but struck the post. A nasty incident then occurred when prop Nick Collett, following good work, found himself at the bottom of a ruck with his head exposed. This was all too much for the Newport winger who saw his opportunity to kick out, then run away in a disgraceful act which, if the referee had seen, would certainly have resulted in a red card. Following a lengthy treatment period from both the Kenilworth physio and a watching doctor Collett returned to action. This incident seemed to fire Kenilworth up more and on 75 minutes they were awarded a scrum, 10 metres out. Newport went backwards and detached themselves from the scrum for the referee to award a penalty try, duly converted by Brown and a 15-0 lead. The game finished with K’s forwards totally in command and the backs displaying their skills.

With the season entering its final segment, a second successive defeat on the road - this one heavy and to local arch-rivals Broadstreet, propelled Kenilworth back to mid-table in Midlands One. There can be little argument that the Coventry outfit are the best in the league. However, their margin of victory was enhanced because of wayward defending by the visitors and their propensity to spill the ball in critical attacking situations (writes Bob Jones).

The home side started as they were to continue - with pace, power and precision. After No 8 Mark Challis had nearly made the line, full-back Andy McGrory did after six minutes. Fly-half Danny Richards missed the conversion, but was on target with a penalty goal 10 minutes later, after the Ks had strayed offside. The Kenilworth cause was not helped when Stuart Eborall was sin-binned for an illegal challenge. Matters worsened when a Gareth Renowden clearance kick near his own line was seized by his opposite number, Nick Thatcher, who crossed, Richards converting on 23 minutes to open up a sizeable lead. The Ks had yet to string together a decent move, and indeed, it took until the final five minutes of the half before they did so. Pete Roberts made a good break, but the ball ended in touch, before an Andy Whitehall chase of a kick ahead was ended illegally near the Broadstreet line, McGrory being yellow-carded for this offence. Another Roberts break, and one by Ricky Hyslop, both spoilt by poor passes, plus good pressure from the forwards, camped on the home line, but negated for holding on, followed in quick succession, so at half time, the score remained 15-0.

The start of the second half spelt disaster for Kenilworth. Within 60 seconds, yet another loose pass, albeit after a good break, both by Roberts, saw the ball picked up by flanker Simon Morris, who raced over unopposed, Richards converting to further stretch the lead. At last, the Ks responded with some concerted pressure and began to go through the phases. Reward came after seven minutes, when Francis Nock crossed following a scrum in the Broadstreet 22, fly-half Ryan Tomlinson converting the try. Tomlinson was in action again three minutes later with a penalty goal, after Street had strayed offside. Just prior to the final quarter, Kenilworth were reduced to 14 men, when Tristan Wati was red-carded by referee Tuhari for stamping at a ruck. Ross Lowthian came into the front row,with Rick Smith being withdrawn as a consequence. To their credit, this did not diminish the Ks' efforts; Dave Clements, Whitehall, James Hersey and Roberts each making penetrating runs. Captain Matt Davies was forced to retire injured on the half-hour. Uncontested scrums thus followed, with Dom Carrick entering the pack. A final unconverted try by Broadstreet followed. It capped a neat move by their backs, with centre Lindsay Bishop getting the touchdown. At the final whistle, with no time added by Mr Tuhari, the tally was 29-10.

Kenilworth: Roberts, Clements, Hersey, Hyslop, Whitehall, Tomlinson, Renowden, N. Collett, Davies (Capt.), Wati, Careless, Smith, Eborall, Nock, Thompson. Replacements: Noon, Lowthian, Carrick.

This mismatch, between near neighbours and members of the upper echelons of Midlands One and basement of Three (South) respectively, with a Warwickshire Cup semi-final place at stake, had a predictable outcome. A brief spell at the start of the second half aside, the men from Fen End were never in the hunt. Added to which, had the performance of the home side not been what coach Ian Fergusson described as " a comedy of errors", with passes both dropped and flung anywhere, a three-figure score for them would have been a certainty (writes Bob Jones).

It took just two minutes for Mark Rae to open the scoring for Kenilworth, Ross Bayston converting his try. This was followed by a penalty goal for the visitors, to which Bayston replied in kind on 10 minutes. Thereafter, scores came thick and fast as the Ks overwhelmed their opponents in all facets of the game. First, Bayston crossed, but failed to convert, after Paul Thompson had intercepted and made all the running, then added the extras following a Pete Roberts try. Francis Nock was next on the score sheet, Bayston once more adding the conversion points. A rare attack, and gaping hole in defence, allowed the Berkswell and Balsall open-side flanker to gallop in for a converted try on the half-hour. Normal service quickly resumed, with Stuart Eborall going over for an unconverted score, before a really good move involving James Hersey, Ricky Hyslop and Roberts, was finished by Nock, Bayston converting, to make he score 41-10 at half-time.

Fergusson now began to ring the changes. At the start of the second half, Eborall was replaced by Ian Phillips and shortly afterwards, Nick Collett made way for Ben Downes. Later replacements were Ross Lowthian for Nock and John Raby for Rae. A short phase of scrappy play, during which the denizens of the south-eastern fringe of the Borough of Solihull came a little more into the contest, ended when Phillips posted an unconverted try, and Downes one to which the extras were added by Bayston. Phillips then bagged a second unconverted score. Hersey was next in, before Phillips completed his hat-trick. Both of the last two tries were converted by James Peacock. The scrum-half, in a rare appearance, had a fine all-round game.

Kenilworth: Roberts, Bayston, Hersey, Hyslop, Clements, Rae, Peacock, N. Collett, Varney, Wati, Smith, Careless, Eborall, Nock, Thompson (Capt.). Replacements: Raby, Lowthian, Downes, Phillips.

The two major features of this Midlands One encounter, involving sides at opposite ends of the table, were succinctly summed up by a disgruntled spectator, when addressing a comment "come on, you are spoiling a bad game", to somewhat over-indulgent referee Wayne Fallon. It was, indeed, a scrappy and dismal encounter, regularly punctuated by the award of penalties for all manner of offences, to both sides, and the liberal issue of yellow cards by the match official from Tyneside. Even a large crowd and the backdrop of the splendid new clubhouse at bleak and blustery Trentham Fields, failed to inspire the players to greater heights. Kenilworth succeeded by virtue of their superior pack and ability to convert two of the very limited number of try-scoring opportunities during the game (writes Bob Jones).

Kenilworth had marginally the better of the opening exchanges, and after three good drives by the forwards, were rewarded with a try from close quarters by Tristan Wati on nine minutes. Elliott Brown failed with the conversion. It speaks volumes that the next incident of real note was an unfortunate accident, which resulted from a phase of play that spilled over the touchline, and in the process, felled the Kenilworth linesman Colin Dick, who, after a delay of six minutes, was taken to hospital with a fractured ankle. More referee's whistle followed, and almost inevitably, the first yellow cards, two in two minutes, around the half-hour. The first was to Dave Clements, the second to Longton prop Davies. A couple of minutes later, Brown despatched a penalty goal, after crossing by the home side. In time added, Mr Fallon brandished another yellow card, this time to Rob Varney. The incident led to a penalty award to the Ks being reversed, and the best spell of the half by Longton, who managed to put together half a dozen phases, but to no avail. At the interval the score was 0-8.

Kenilworth made an inauspicious start to the second half, when Pete Roberts ran into one of his own men. Centre Rawlings obliged with a penalty goal to open Longton's account. Virtually nothing had been seen of either side's threequarters, until Andy Whitehall, sent on his way by Gareth Renowden, was hauled down in full flight near the home 22. The sin-bin was occupied once more, when the Longton No 6 was despatched for deliberate offside, Brown putting over the resulting penalty award on 14 minutes. Rawlings replied in kind 12 minutes later, after the Ks failed to roll away. The referee's continued admonishments included a lecture to both captains, who were then instructed to pass the message on to their sides in a formal huddle. A strong run by Ross Bayston was spoilt by a handling error. Then a powerful scrummage by Kenilworth preceded the best move of the match, which saw the ball reach Whitehall inside his own half. With unoccupied territory ahead, the flier was away and over for an unconverted try on 35 minutes. In the dying throes, Ian Fergusson withdrew Dan Careless in favour of Luke Watts. Mercifully, there was virtually no time added, the final tally being 6-16.

Kenilworth: Clements, Bayston, Hersey, E. Brown, Whitehall, Roberts, Renowden, N. Collett, Varney, Wati, Wadey, Careless, Eborall, Nock, Thompson (Capt.). Replacements: Rae, Downes, Watts.

After last weeks' desperately dull affair at lowly Longton, this was a much more entertaining encounter in the sun and wind at Glasshouse Lane. South Leicester, lying below Kenilworth, and at the head of a tranche of clubs in the middle of Midlands One, proved formidable opponents, and had the edge in all-round teamwork. However, a superior, if somewhat erratic, exhibition of individual skills by the home side eventually won the day (writes Bob Jones).

Facing a strong wind, Kenilworth took the lead with an unconverted try within two minutes of the kick off. A break by Elliott Brown sent Andy Whitehall clear. The speedster needed no second invitation to romp home. Shortly afterwards, Gareth Renowden broke, kicked ahead, and regathered, but was bundled into touch just short of the visitors' line. On seven minutes, after South Leicester had failed to roll away, Brown increased the lead with a penalty goal. After another Brown-Whitehall combination had nearly succeeded in opening up the visitors' defence once again, it was the turn of their fly-half, Mark Lord, to begin his impact on the game. When, after 18 minutes, Frances Nock was penalised for killing the ball, the ace marksman slotted his first penalty goal of the afternoon, repeating the dose on the half hour, after the Ks had failed to roll away. He was also finding his range with a series of wind-assisted, raking kicks to touch, deep in home territory. A spell of pressure that resulted from these, ended with yet another Lord penalty goal, this time for offside, to edge the Wigston Magna-based outfit into the lead. Shortly afterwards, they were reduced to 14 men, when lock Badham was sent to the sin-bin by referee Doug Neagle, hitherto tolerant of numerous similar offences by both sides. In his absence, and just prior to the half-time whistle, a series of picks and drives by the home forwards culminated in the release of the ball to Brown on the short side in the South Leicester 22. The skilful, powerful and elusive full-back crossed in the corner, but could not convert his try, leaving the score 13-9 at the interval.

As expected,from the outset of the second half, Kenilworth used their wind advantage by means of kicks. However, this tactic was effectively countered by the visitors, who adopted a neat, close-passing approach. Their effort soon became rather over-robust, and after two high tackles, Mr Neagle yellow-carded centre Armstrong for the second of these. With two men now in the sin-bin, they struck immediately, forwards and backs combining well to send No 15 Lang in at the corner for an unconverted try. Still with a man advantage, the Ks clawed their way back into the game. Following a scrum near the South Leicester line, Andrew McGuire touched down and Brown added the conversion points at the start of the final quarter. Seven minutes later, the full-back slotted a penalty goal to leave the visitors requiring at least two scores to take the lead. Nonetheless, to their credit, they refused to lie down, and applied pressure all over the park, which required some good tackles to end threatening situations. Some of this pressure resulted in Nock receiving a yellow card two minutes from the end of normal time. Ross Bayston, introduced in place of Whitehall for the final few minutes, distinguished himself with a clever steal to end a last-ditch South Leicester breakout. At the death, it was 23-14.

Kenilworth: E. Brown, Whitehall, Hersey, Hyslop, Clements, Roberts, Renowden, N. Collett, Lowthian, Wati, Eborall, Wadey, McGuire, Nock, Thompson (Capt.). Replacements: Downes, Stevens, Bayston.

An excursion via the A14, to a Northamptonshire town best known for the manufacture of boots and breakfast cereal, for the contest between KRFC and KRFC, paid handsome dividends for the visitors from Warwickshire. An impressive all-round performance in cold, showery and windy conditions at Waverley Road, kept them in third place in Midlands One, and needing to win their last two games to claim the play-off place in that division (writes Bob Jones).

For the first 15 minutes, this scenario seemed unlikely, as the home side, aided by some weak tackling, poured forward at every opportunity. They could have been two tries to the good, had left wing Paul Sumner not spilled the ball when it seemed easier to touch down. They did, however, take the lead with a penalty goal by full back Tim Jones, after the Ks had been penalised for crossing by referee Leo Burton. Elliot Brown replied in kind to open Kenilworth's account, before fly-half Jacob Naude, eluding all attempts to tackle him, crossed under the posts, Jones converting. This roused Kenilworth, and stand-in fly-half Dave Clements, aided as he was all afternoon by excellent service from his half-back partner Jamie Peacock, showed both nous and pace to dart through for an unconverted try, as the game was about to enter its second quarter. A few minutes later, Jones pegged back three points with a penalty goal, after the visitors had strayed offside. The Kenilworth pack was now firing on all cylinders, and a good drive led to a penalty award in front of the home posts, which Brown despatched on the half-hour. Just prior to the interval, Clements, revelling in his new role, broke and set up an unconverted try for James Hersey that saw the lead change hands.

The second half started in very positive fashion for Kenilworth. So much so, that Kettering's scrum-half, Darren Etheridge knocked-on deliberately, and was yellow-carded by Mr Burton. Brown inflicted further pain with a successful penalty goal. From the restart, the ball reached Andy Whitehall. A trademark searing burst of pace took him to within a few metres of the home line, before an offload to John Raby enabled the latter to touch down for an unconverted try. With the game fast slipping away, Kettering, clearly rattled, became rather reckless. One high tackle on Brown resulted only in a penalty kick, before lock Martin Roberts was adjudged to have sufficiently transgressed to merit a yellow card from the match official. To their credit, even with two men in the sin-bin, the home side attempted to open up play. For the final quarter, Stuart Eborall was replaced by Rick Smith. The game, regularly punctuated by Mr Burton's whistle, became scrappy, but was enlivened by a great break from Brown that ended by the ball being fly-hacked into touch near the home line. Further good work from the pack then set up a position from which a smart pass by Clements put Hersey in under the posts, Brown converting on the half- hour. Four minutes later, the final nail in the Kettering coffin came via captain Paul Thompson. His break from the scrum sent Whitehall away once again. This time he crossed in the right corner, Brown adding the conversion points. The final few minutes saw Ben Downes appear for Nick Collett and Ian Bowden for Peacock. Both contributed to sustained pressure by the Ks. Their only downside was a yellow card to Rob Varney for obstruction.

Kenilworth: Whitehall, Bayston, Brown, Hersey, Raby, Clements, Peacock, N. Collett, Varney, Wati, Eborall, Wadey, McGuire, Nock, Thompson (Capt.). Replacements: Downes, Smith, Bowden.

In the expected fiercely-contested battle between two of the contenders for the play-off place in Midlands One, Kenilworth came out on top, and in the process, refuted the notion that size matters. Facing a Peterborough team exceedingly well endowed with brawn, notably in the pack, it was the superior rugby skills and brains of the Glasshouse Lane crew that won the day, ultimately with something to spare. In so doing, they set up a last-game encounter with Luctonians for the right to play the runners-up in North One for a place in the National League (writes Bob Jones).

The visitors, taking advantage of a stiff breeze, had the better of the opening exchanges, and were awarded several penalties, as their power rather than poise approach unsettled the home side. It was clearly going to take a Herculean effort to stem this tide, and Kenilworth's man-of-the-match Griz McGuire set out his stall by turning his man in a maul. It was 15 minutes before the Ks mounted a decent attack - a thrilling run and clever offload by Elliot Brown that was terminated by a knock-on near the Peterborough 22. Inspired by this, they began to move the ball wide. First Andy Whitehall, then John Raby went close, before Jamie Peacock burst away from a scrum to touch down after 21 minutes. On a difficult day for place-kicking, Brown was unable to convert. The visitors' fly-half, and man-of-the-match Will Mardling, unsure with ball in hand, was much more effective with his territorial kicks. The latter set up numerous good positions for Peterborough. Driving relentlessly on via their pack, they once more began to cause consternation in the home ranks as the half drew to a close. Following one incident too many, Nick Collett was sent to the sin-bin. His absence immediately told, when second-row Phillips stormed over, but Marling failed to convert, leaving the scores level at the interval.

Still fired up, and with an extra man, Peterborough went ahead within two minutes of the restart. Trademark forward drives, and eventual release of the ball to scrum-half Humphrey, enabled the latter to scamper over for an unconverted try. This was the signal for Kenilworth to really buckle down. Peacock, Whitehall and Ross Bayston each made penetrating runs that ended with knock-ons in sight of the visitors' line, before Francis Nock picked up a loose ball that had squirted from a turnover by the Ks in that area, and duly obliged near the posts. Brown converted on 20 minutes to take the home side into the lead once more. It was then the turn of captain and fellow back-row Paul Thompson to open up play with a great break that sent Whitehall away. He kicked ahead, gathered, and crossed for an unconverted try. With the half-back combination of Peacock and Dave Clements working well, the home side began to be dominant. A clever kick ahead by Peacock was chased and gathered by Whitehall, who went over for his second unconverted try after 33 minutes. Two minutes later, Peacock received a yellow card after he had engaged in a discourse which displeased the referee. The remainder of the action, including 10 added minutes, saw the visitors once more gain the upper hand, as they strove to get something from the game. However, time after time, their forward-led assaults were met with resolute defence by each and every member of the home side, leaving the final tally 22-10.

Kenilworth: Whitehall, Raby, Brown, Hersey, Bayston, Clements, Peacock, N. Collett, Varney, Downes, Wadey, Eborall, McGuire, Nock, Thompson (Capt.). Replacements: C. Collett, Smith, Renowden.

A fiercely contested semi final between two fully committed teams saw Nuneaton emerge winners and progress to the final.

After an intense start with aggressive forward battle it was Nuneaton who applied the pressure in the early stages which led to a penalty kick to give an early lead, parity was restored shortly afterward from the boot of Full back Will Maisey, an unconverted Nuneaton try out wide then restored the home sides lead but this was the signal for Kenilworth to wake up and growing in self belief unleash a number of powerful drives and multiple forward phases to unsettle the Nuneaton pack, which led to a succession of penalties to which Maisey accepted and stepped up to kick for territory and ultimately bisect the posts on two occasions to give the visitors a 9-8 lead. Then following a further offence a Nuneaton player received a yellow card, Maisey kicked long to the corner the lineout was won and driven just short but loosehead prop Jake Dodd was on hand to crash over following a ruck, Maisey converted to increase the lead. With half time looming a partly charged down kick led to an offside giving Nuneaton a kick at goal to reduce the lead, Half Time Nuneaton 11 - Kenilworth 16.

The second half saw a recharged Nuneaton and despite long periods of good driving play by the Kenilworth forwards the added quality provided by a number of Nuneaton players who regularly play at National league level allowed them two further converted trys and two penalty kicks. Kenilworth however were not done and with time running out scored a further try by scrum half George Haines again converted by Maisey to give the young kicker an impressive 100% 13 point hall.

This was to be the final points of the game and Nuneaton ran out winners following a hugely entertaining game.

So far yet so near! The long and winding lanes to sunny Mortimer Park, Luctonians palatial Herefordshire base, and the eagerly-awaited, fiercely-contested game that went right to the wire, saw Kenilworth fail by a very narrow margin to gain the win which would have taken them into the play-off for a place in the National League. In spite of their victory, Luctonians, one of three challengers for this place, also missed out, because Chester were victorious against Newport (writes Bob Jones).

With wind gusting across the pitch destined to play a significant role in kicking, the early exchanges were lively and centred around both sets of forwards. Referee Steve Johnson was busy handing out penalty awards to both sides, from one of which Kenilworth took the lead courtesy of Elliot Brown on 10 minutes. They should have gone further ahead after Griz McGuire, whose performance was outstanding, turned over the ball to set Dave Clements and James Hersey in motion, but a forward pass ensued. Then a Clements break and splendid long pass was fumbled by Ricky Hyslop, with the line at his mercy. Two more steals by McGuire, the second sending Gareth Renowden away, also accrued nothing. Lucs concentrated on drives by their powerful pack, but the Ks' defence held firm, until after 38 minutes they were penalised for not releasing. Fly-half Brett Prior converted to level the scores. In added time, Kenilworth hit back to regain the lead, when a splendid Andy Whitehall run was finished by Ross Bayston. Brown's conversion from wide right went narrowly past the post.

Maintaining their momentum, Kenilworth stormed away from the restart. A Renowden break was carried on by Hersey, then the forwards took over, mounting several impressive drives, with Tristan Wati in the van. At this stage, it was all Kenilworth, and the best move of the match saw Brown surge away, and James Wadey and Renowden also feature prominently, in a move that terminated just short of the home line. On the quarter-hour, the game swung dramatically in Lucs favour. A rash offload in his own half by Francis Nock created pressure, which the home pack intensified with a series of powerful drives. One of these saw McGuire receive a yellow card. The resulting penalty, and inevitable pressure from the forwards, led to a converted try that saw the lead change hands. Hyslop was now replaced by John Raby. Lucs really pressed home their man advantage, and a neat move resulted in an unconverted try in the right corner, as the final quarter was about to commence. A further 15 minutes of intense pressure by the home side, during which Rick Smith replaced Wadey, was met by heroic Kenilworth defence. Realising that their chance of glory was fast disappearing, the Ks upped the ante. First, the lively Renowden stole the ball, and made a break deep in Lucs territory. From there, further good work by the pack culminated in an unconverted try for Wati, to close the gap to two points. On the stroke of normal time, Lucs were penalised for not rolling away. Hampered by the wind, Brown was unable to secure the winning points. All was not lost, because in time added, they had another good chance. A sweeping move, in which Stuart Eborall was prominent, broke down when the ball bounced unkindly as a Kenilworth hand was about to grasp and ground it, with the Luctonians defence in disarray. The final whistle followed this high drama.

Kenilworth: Whitehall, Bayston, E.Brown, Hersey, Hyslop, Clements, Renowden, N. Collett, Davies (Capt.), Wati, Eborall, Wadey, McGuire, Nock, Thompson. Replacements: Varney, Smith, Raby.

During the 2008-9 season, Kenilworth have been a good side, finishing fourth in Midlands One. Broadstreet have been a very good one, being crowned champions of that league. Their superiority was demonstrated in this cup-tie, played at Earlsdon RFC, in which they both out-thought and out-fought a Kenilworth team, not helped by the refereeing of Andy Attwell -at best puzzling, that did not play badly. In fly-half Danny Richards, the boys from Binley Woods possess a player that is surely destined for a higher level than the lowest in the National League, where they will perform next term. On the night, he contributed 20 points with his kicking, and had an excellent all-round game (writes Bob Jones).

The opening exchanges were lively and saw both sides play good rugby all over the park. For Street, Mukerati was an especial threat, with Clements, Renowden and Nock making good inroads for the Ks. Following some foul play, Kenilworth took the lead with a penalty goal by Elliot Brown on 10 minutes. This was the signal for Broadstreet to really get to work. A sweeping move brought a try, converted by Richards, two minutes later. The match official then proceeded to penalize Kenilworth at regular intervals. This was meat and drink to Richards, whose four penalty goals, some from very difficult positions,opened up a sixteen-point lead at half-time. The Ks tried to respond. Whitehall, Bayston, Hersey and Clements made breaks that were snuffed out by the well-drilled Street defence. When the league champions attacked, they were always a threat. Trying in vain to get the ball, Renowden overstepped the mark and was sent to the sin-bin just prior to the interval.

Two well-constructed tries from Broadstreet, both uncharacteristically unconverted, within the first ten minutes of the second half, killed off the game. A raft of changes by coach Ian Fergusson paid some dividends for Kenilworth. Good pressure by the pack enabled Varney to claim a consolation try, to which Brown added an excellent conversion on the quarter-hour. Thereafter, normal service resumed. A stream of penalties against the Glasshouse Lane brigade disrupted their flow, and resulted in Richards slotting the two which were kickable. Street, also changing personnel, continued to dominate until Mr. Attwell called time.