The afternoon started with a fabulous win for our Womens team against Lichfield Ladies 29-22, in front of a good crowd (match report to follow). Shortly after, Kenilworth Mens 1st XV took to the field against Droitwich in bright sunshine on a perfect surface.
The first 15 minutes saw the home side's scrum on top, although Droitwich also caused a few problems at the set piece during the match and were competitive in the lineout. A near perfect 50-22 kick saw Kens secure an attacking lineout.
Shortly afterwards, some poor control from Droitwich saw Kens fly-half Tyler Price strip the ball and dot over for the opening try, which he converted himself 7-0. Kenilworth started to find their rhythm and, after a huge hit from prop Jake Dodd, the ball was moved left to Number 8 Mike Ryan who spotted a gap and turned on the afterburners to scorch 80m to the tryline; again, the conversion from Price was good. 14-0.
Droitwich found their way back into the game with a prolonged period of pressure which resulted in a penalty converted by their fly half 14-3. Flanker Paddy Grace and winger Ben Harrison made a couple of strong breaks, which resulted in a tryline drop out which was collected by centre Nathan Tilsley. The ball was moved swiftly out to flanker Grace who went over in the left corner, the conversion missed narrowly 19-3. Another superb break from the impressive Peppitt followed an excellent steal from the young front rower Ollie Stone. Quickly recycled ball saw Captain Bobby Thompson stroll over for a try that was converted by Tyler Price, this gave the Kens a bonus point after 35 minutes 26-3. On the stroke of half time, the Kens scrum provided excellent set piece ball and a pre-determined 1st phase move down the right saw Peppitt release winger Jayde Cruickshank who sprinted 30m for a try, again converted by the metronomic Price 33-3.
The second half started a little quietly for the home side and, after a midfield turnover, the ball was moved through the Droitwich backs for their outside centre to break through for a converted try 33-10. This stirred the home side into upping their intensity; replacement winger Rhys Jones made a great break up the clubhouse touchline cheered on by an increasingly exuberant crowd and the offload to Cruickshank saw him touch down for his second try which was unconverted 38-10. The home side began to overcomplicate things whilst still in the ascendancy, and Droitwich defended strongly which caused a rather flat period with 20 minutes to go. This was ended by a home try from Grace who capitalised on a number of fumbles from both sides, and perhaps a knock on or two not spotted by the referee. The conversion from Price was good making it 45-10. All credit to the visitors who hit back with some good phase play, and an excellent piece of skill from their fly half who collected his own chip and went over for a converted try 45-17. Kenilworth closed the game out with 2 more tries, the first after Gareth Renowden switched the play before offloading to prop George Walsh who trotted in for another converted try 52-17. It was left to man of the match Ryan to seal things with another display of brute force and pace to canter in for his second which again was converted 59-17.
Overall it was a strong display from the home side although both the players and the coaching team will know that certain areas need tightening up and new combinations still need to gel. However 3 bonus point victories to start the season is a great platform to build from and Kens currently top the Midlands 1 West table. Next week it is Hereford away, as stern a test as one will find in this league.Kenilworth 2XV travelling to local rivals Leamington for their opening league fixture and came back with a great 33-19 victory.
