Kenilworth bounce back from slow start

Back-to-back victories against fellow National Three Midlands strugglers have done much to instil confidence into Kenilworth, and in the process take them out of the relegation zone, writes Bob Jones.

Success looked unlikely shortly after the first whistle, when the all-too-prevalent tendency of the home side to fall prey to an early thrust from their opponents, saw scrum-half Darryl Banton waltz unopposed to the line and wing Dave Archer add the extras.

However, the floodgates did not open, and an offside allowed Adam Canning to claw back three points with a penalty goal in the eighth minute.

Dave Campton entered the fray with a storming run, but the ball was lost as the Burton line beckoned.

Some puzzling decisions by referee Fergus Kirby eventually led to a penalty plus ten metres for the visitors after Gareth Renowden questioned the wisdom of the official.

This was to prove costly as the territorial gain set up a series of Burton attacks, one of which culminated in a try and conversion for Archer after 28 minutes.

With the restart failing to go ten metres, the Glasshouse Lane faithful began to fear the worst.

This feeling was compounded shortly after, when Campton was yellow-carded for an offence on the floor.

To their credit, Ks pulled themselves together, and an impressive drive by the pack saw Adam Blayney touch down just prior to the interval to cut the deficit to six points.

Four minutes after the restart, the lively Archer broke clear for Burton to make it 19-8 with an unconverted try.

Coach Jason Button began to ring the changes, with Jack Gibson appearing in place of Bobby Thompson and matters improved for the home side.

When the Staffordshire outfit piled in over the top, Canning cut their lead with a penalty goal.

Mike Rust unleashed a trademark run from deep but, with the line at his mercy, he opted to pass inside and the chance was gone.

Sensing the game was there for the taking, Ks began to move the ball quickly out to the flanks.

An astute break by Canning , followed by several pairs of good hands, saw the ball reach Dave Clements, who crossed near the corner.

Burton could not recapture their earlier spark and made a series of errors, one of which cost them three points from the boot of Canning in the 66th minute.

With the scores level, it was the skill and experience of veteran Toby Handley that took Kenilworth into the lead; a superb catch and jinking run through the Burton half ending under the posts.

Extras from Canning made the margin seven points.

After a great Renowden tackle had released the ball, a powerful drive in the Burton 22 by the smaller Kenilworth pack was then rewarded with a final try for Mark Warrilow.