Kettering 12 - Kenilworth 13
Mar
Ecstasy for one KRFC, agony for the other. The Warwickshire men, fellow strugglers with their Northamptonshire namesakes in National Three Midlands, snatched a vital victory at the death, after a tense, scrappy encounter at wet and muddy Waverley Road, which amply illustrated why both teams are residing in the danger zone. Leading as the game entered its final play, Kettering, having weathered a strong comeback by Kenilworth in the final quarter, must have thought that they were home and hosed, but a well-worked try was just reward for their visitors never-say-die attitude and application (writes Bob Jones).
The contest commenced as it was to continue; end-to-end and error-strewn. A splendid steal by Andy Bladon set up a promising move, before an Alex Stajka drop-goal attempt went wide. However, Stajka opened the scoring with a penalty goal on 10 minutes. Kettering were awarded a five-metre scrum following a Gareth Renowden knock-on in his in-goal area, but did not profit. Then Dave Clements cleared more danger with a good touch-finder. Referee Will Halford was kept busy, with penalties regularly accruing to both sides. One such followed an offence by Will Parkes, which saw him consigned to the sin-bin just after the half-hour. Worse was to follow for the Ks, who were reduced to 13, when Clements was also yellow-carded by Mr. Halford just prior to the end of normal time. The home side took full advantage in time added. First, inside-centre Joe Newman swept through for an unconverted try, then his partner Corey Rainbow repeated the dose, with full-back Tim Jones adding the extras, to make the score 12-3 at the interval.
An almighty wake-up call by coach Matt Davies saw Kenilworth start the second half in positive mode. Unfortunately, the hard-working Bladon was forced to retire injured after just three minutes, with Rob Varney entering the pack. A forward pass to Mike Rust put paid to what looked a promising move, before Edward Mbaraga started another with a powerful run. The ball reached Renowden, whose slick transfer to Rust sent the speed-merchant dancing away to the right corner. His try was unconverted, but narrowed the gap to five points after 14 minutes. Jamie Peacock entered the fray in place of Jai Purewal as the game entered its final quarter. Mbaraga then showed his defensive capabilities with a great hit, which, however, the referee penalized, considering it over-robust. Kettering were punished for a spot of aggression after 28 minutes, prop Martin Cheetham being yellow-carded for punching. The extra man told, with both the visiting forwards and backs gaining the ascendancy. A smart break by Clements nearly paid off, then the pack turned the screw with some driving mauls. Some of the latter were countered by illegal tactics, which saw Stajka make good ground with the penalty kicks. It was now so near but seemingly not to be for Kenilworth. As referee Halford was contemplating calling time, Rust, who had moved to the left wing, was on hand to take the final pass, and again touch down in the corner. Stajka did not convert, but the job was done.
Kenilworth: Clements, Rust, Purewal, Clarke, Mbaraga, Stajka, Renowden, Collett, Overton, Wati, Wadey, Baillie,Bladon, Parkes, Thompson (Capt.). Replacements: Varney, Peacock, Hancocks.
Next Saturday (March 27th), Kenilworth entertain Longton in their last home league match. Kick-off is at 3pm.
