Kenilworth mauled by rampant leaders

Lacking half their first-choice players through a combination of injuries and unavailability, a visit to the unbeaten Midlands One West leaders in what doubled as a Warwickshire Cup quarter-final tie was not an inviting prospect for struggling Kenilworth, writes Bob Jones.

However, the result, while both predictable and emphatic, did not do justice to a never-say-die effort which prevented Sutton from opening the scoring until the second quarter.

The opening exchanges were scrappy and fairly even but it was the home side who were posing the more serious questions.

A fine clearance by Andy Whitehall, who had an outstanding game at full-back, and a great tackle by Chris Wood were needed to prevent the first score.

The Ks, as was to be the case throughout, could not get much ball, and when they did, failed to find a way past a very tight defence.

A tap-and-go by Rhys Llewellyn was their best effort.

With all the advantages, including a formidable physical presence, it was only a matter of time - 24 minutes to be precise - before Sutton opened their account.

A neat move was finished by their outstanding number eight Mark Evans, who along with scrum-half Mark Raynor, called the shots all afternoon, Dan Poulton converting the try.

It took just two minutes to double the lead. This time a sweeping move sent in winger Robert Watts, with Poulton again adding the extras.

Prop Brook Davies then almost charged over and another brilliant clearance by Whitehall, who judged a bitterly-cold, strong cross-wind to perfection, saved the day.

A neat break by Will Owen was all Ks could muster in response but the ball went forward.

Just prior to the half-time whistle, after the visitors defence had been pulled apart, there was a queue waiting for the scoring pass. It was received by centre Jonny Raistrick, whose touchdown was improved by Poulton.

A 21-point deficit at the start of the second half gave a glimmer of hope of damage-limitation to the Glasshouse Lane brigade.

This was soon extinguished by three minutes of rampaging rugby by the home side, during which they posted three tries, one converted, by moving the ball wide, demolishing the cover at will and thereby bringing up their half-century.

Wood was replaced by Jake Povey, whose combative style sparked a mini-revival and some go-forward, but once more, nothing tangible accrued.

That was about it for attacks and the remainder of the contest saw Kenilworth either chasing shadows or mounting heroic defence as Sutton poured forward from all angles.

An unconverted try in the 58th minute and a converted one two minutes later added to the gloom.

For the final ten minutes, play was almost all confined to the Kenilworth 22 and it was no surprise when this pressure was rewarded by two more tries, the last converted.

What had otherwise been a game played in good spirit, ended in an unseemly brawl.

Referee Dave Huson, who controlled events well, administered a warning to both captains before sounding the final whistle.