Canning keeps cool to kick Ks’ winner

Fielding a side shorn of several first-choice players due to a combination of injury and unavailability, Kenilworth narrowly came out on top in this battle of the two National Three Midlands basement clubs, writes Bob Jones.

As to be expected in the circumstances, this was no rugby classic, but it did produce an error-strewn, frenetic end-to-end encounter, the result of which was in doubt until the final whistle.

The visitors opened strongly and were on the scoreboard within two minutes, courtesy of an Adam Canning penalty goal after Hereford failed to release the ball.

Symptomatic of what was to follow for much of of the afternoon, the scores were level two minutes later.

The Ks strayed offside and Dean Powell opened his account.

The visitors fell further behind in the ninth minutes when a try by winger Sean Day finished a neat move, Powell adding the extras.

A second Canning penalty on 17 minutes reduced the deficit, after a good attacking spell by Kenilworth, with Gareth Renowden instrumental.

Hereford then struck again, their pack providing a platform for Matt Evans to cross, with Powell converting.

Home hooker Gareth Miles, was yellow-carded by referee Adam Friend for coming in from the side and for the first time in several games, Kenilworth capitalised on their man advantage. James Wadey touched down following a series of drives by the pack with Canning converting.

Then, a sweeping move involving both forwards and backs was finished in style by Jack Gibson. The conversion by Canning edged the visitors into the lead as the half entered its final few minutes.

Hereford piled on the pressure, after the break which resulted in a sin-binning for Ian Bowden and his absence was costly. Miles went over for an unconverted try to edge Hereford into a narrow lead, then Powell punished another indiscretion with a penalty.

After Evans collected his second try, matters were looking serious for the Glasshouse Lane crew.

However, the alert Alex Wallis soon began to remedy the situation with an interception try, converted by Canning.

A yellow card for Dan Roberts did not deter the Ks, with the pack more than holding their own. The play was particularly scrappy at this juncture, as both sides opened up in search of a score that could have sealed victory.

With their opponents also under pressure, and five minutes of normal time remaining, Canning coolly slotted another penalty goal to bring the scores level.

Just prior to the final whistle, the outside-half capped a fine display with the winning points - an outstanding drop-goal, which even brought praise from the normally partisan home supporters.