Kenilworth Barbarians 34 - Princethorpe Old Boys 34
Sep
The Alex Wallis Memorial Game between the Kenilworth Barbarians and Princethorpe Old Boys was always going to be tight but no one could have predicted how closely these two sides would be matched.
Alex was a young Kenilworth and Princethorpe Old Boys player who died tragically in a car crash halfway through last season and the fixture was to honour his memory and raise money for Warwickshire Air Ambulance. The match was played in an excellent spirit but no quarter was given on either side which was tribute to Alex’s competitiveness as a player.
The Old Boys opened the scoring with a penalty goal from fly Half Harry O’Brien.
The Barbarians responded with a well worked try by Captain Nick Rowley in a move which showed excellent skill by both the Kenilworth forwards and backs. The try was then well converted by scrum half Rob Bennett.
Princethorpe began dominating upfront in the early stages using the power of their pack to muscle their way into Kenilworth territory, eventually leading to a try near the posts for centre Laurie Price. Harry O’Brien added the conversion extending the visitors the lead.
However this seemed to galvanise the Barbarians and once again Nick Rowley broke free to score in the corner.
This back and forth play continued throughout the first half with a mistake by Kenilworth in their own 22 being pounced on by the Old Boys leading to a try under the posts for Colin Overhand with Harry O’Brien converting.
However Kenilworth responded driving down the field through forwards and backs and finishing their chances well with two tries in quick succession from wingers Nick Rowley his third of the game and Sammy Alkhalaf who broke three tackles to score in the corner.
Princethorpe however were not disheartened and once again responded with a breakaway try through the heart of Kenilworth’s defence by scurm half John Fitt.
It was Kenilworth who had the last points of the half however with a superb diving finish from flanker Rob Gardner, making the halftime score 27-22 to Kenilworth.
A superb individual effort by Rob Bennett opened the scoring in the second half. Rob sidestepped his way through the Old Boy’s defence to score under the posts. He then added the conversion himself.
Princethorpe were down 34 – 22 but they did not give up. The game was eventually tied thanks to a second try from John Fitt and a first from prop Ben Price and with a conversion from Harry O’Brien. The game finished a fitting 34 – 34.
Other highlights included the appearance together for the first time of the Rapley boys in the front row , an outstanding game by back rower Ollie Jones , some great midfield play from Rhys Jones and Jake Burrows and a dynamic debut by what appeared at first to be a raging bull but on closer examination proved to be ex-Navy centre Paul Grenney ! The game was hugely enjoyed by a large crowd and the sum of £250 was raised for the Air Ambulance . At the end of the game a Barbarians shirt bearing the initials “AW” was presented to Alex`s father David.
Selwyn Rowley
