1st XV vs Kenilworth 22 February 2020 - Kenilworth 42 KC 17
(Match Report Courtesy of Bob Davies - Photography Courtesy of Adam Hewitt)

KC started on the backfoot as Kenilworth put pressure on from the kick-off and scored a converted try after four minutes.
KC responded by playing well in the next twenty-five minutes, unfortunately their forward dominance in the loose and set piece went unrewarded due to the solid Kenilworth defence. It was gratifying to see the forwards keeping possession when stopped by Kenilworth, one move probably had more than fifteen phases.
By contrast Kenilworth scored two further converted tries in the next six minutes as KC defence was breeched.
KC were not beaten and a period of good forward possession close to the Kenilworth line was stoutly resisted. However, a great move by the three quarters initiated by Chris Pinner passed through Andy McLellan and Sam Foster for Chris May Miller to score in the right-hand corner. This took the score to 5 – 21 at the break.
As has happened several times this season the opposition came out of the blocks into the second half breathing fire and pinning KC into their own half. KC although playing well in the loose were unable to get into the Kenilworth half for a long period. Great defence throughout from the whole team, particularly Chris Pinner, the ever-present Tom Maher and man of the match Will Roff. Eventually the pressure told and Kenilworth were able to get over for three well worked tries to confirm their position close to the top of the table.
KC then came into their own with their best period of play and were able to put great pressure on Kenilworth for the last ten minutes with stand-out performances from Chris May Miller, Sam Foster and Si Clarke. KC can take pride in scoring by far the best try of the game. This started on the left-hand side of the Kenilworth 22, moved through several pairs of hands to near the right-hand touch and then switched back across the field for Ryan Tiene to beat a couple of defenders and score to the left of the posts, Chris Pinner completed the conversion.
More pressure from KC forwards winning possession in the right-hand corner was thwarted by a last-ditch tackle from Kenilworth causing KC to drop the ball over the line. However, this did not stop KC as they kept up the pressure and from another forward maul put Tom Maher in for a try. Try as they might they could not get the fourth try for a bonus point.
Yes another defeat, but the team can be very pleased with their overall performance where they matched or beat Kenilworth in many areas of the game.

Bob Davies