Burntwood u 15s - 13 Kenilworth u 15s - 29
Sunday 17th February 2008
Kenilworth travelled to Staffordshire to take on Burntwood for the second time this season, having beaten them previously at home 34 - 7. This time however we only had a Squad of 15 due to half term and injuries, kick off was also delayed for thirty minutes due to a frozen pitch.
Once the game started it was evident that Kenilworth were up for it, putting Burntwood under pressure and on the back foot. Five minutes in and some good work by the pack realised the ball to the backs and Arthur Haines slipped in for the first try. From a long way out on the touch line the conversion was just short. Two minutes later and Liam burst through several tackles to score with Will adding the conversion.
Kenilworth continued to boss the game until late in the half when first a penalty for crossing and then one for hands in the ruck allowed burntwood to score. Just before half time a penalty to Kens made the half time score 15 - 6 to Kenilworth.
The second half was fairly even for the first ten minutes with both teams probing for openings, but it was Kens who added to there total with a penalty. Kens now upped the pace and minutes later a drive by the forwards resulted in Ewan scoring his first try for the club. Moments later and some excellent passing along the backs almost produced something on the left but Burntwood kept them out. The ball however was quickly recycled and it went all the way out to the right wing, where Nick ran from just inside there half to score his first try for the club.
As time ran out and with Kens tiring due to the effort they had put in and with no subs to come on, a big push by the Burntwood gave them a try and conversion.
Final score 29 - 13 to Kenilworth an excellent result, well done to all
Stratford -u15s - 10 Kenilworth u 15s - 17
Sunday 9th December 2007
Kenilworth travelled to Stratford following their fine victory the previous week, hoping to finish 2007 on a winning note. Kens started the game well dominating up front and with the backs running some slick moves and passing well.
This pressure finally told after ten minutes when an excellent move allowed Liam Roberts in to score the first try. The conversion went just wide. Five minutes later and after some great rucking by the pack, Arthur Haines in at scrum half took the ball down the blind side beating several tackles to score. Again the conversion attempt was just wide. Stratford then began to find their feet and started to put Kens under some pressure. With five minutes to go before half time Kenilworth gave away a series of penalties close to their own line, which eventually resulted in a try as Stratford’s pack took the ball over. They also failed to convert leaving the half time score 10 - 5 to Kenilworth
The second half started fairly even with both teams probing for openings. With ten minutes gone a superb rolling drive by Stratford pushed Kens right back on their try line. Kens defence was excellent as players put their bodies on the line to keep them out, Stratford failed to score. Ten minutes later and Kens drove down field pushing Stratford back to their try line. Under pressure Stratford gave away a penalty, quick thinking from Arthur H slipped the ball to Will Owen who in turn passed it to Rob Bennett who went over to score Kens third try. This was converted.
As in the first half Stratford came on strong with five minutes to go. Kens defence once again kept them out three times before finally they managed to go over and score. Final score 17 - 10 to Kenilworth
Once again a great team performance with plenty commitment and spirit, ensuring Kenilworth under 15s go into the Christmas break with a winning record of 4 wins and 3 losses
Merry Christmas
Kenilworth u 15s - 21 Spartans u 15s - 12
Sunday 2nd December 2007
Kenilworth entertained Spartans at home looking for a win following there disappointing game and loss away to Shipston.
This was an even contest with both teams playing open and attacking rugby. Six minutes in and Spartans under pressure were penalised for killing the ball, from the resulting penalty Will Owen went over for the try. Will Maisey kicked the conversion. Two minutes later Spartans stole the ball at a ruck and broke through Kens defence to score a try which was un converted.
Twenty minutes in and a flowing move left Kenilworth with a three man over lap, and with the line at his mercy Liam knocked the ball on. From the resulting scrum a huge Kens scrum won the ball back and Will Maisey went over to score. Conversion was good. Half time Kens lead 14 - 5
The second half started with a bang as Kens won a penalty straight from the kick off. From the penalty Will Maisey beat half a dozen tackles to score and convert. The game then became a stalemate as both teams playing some good rugby cancelled each other out. With time running out a chip and chase by Spartans almost paid off, but Liam tracked back to rescue the ball. Unfortunately for Kens Spartans got there in numbers and went over to score and convert. Final score 21 - 12
This was a good game of rugby played in an excellent spirit and a good result for Kenilworth
Shipston u 15s - 45 Kenilworth u 15s - 7
Sunday 18th November 2007
Kenilworth under 15s travelled to Shipston on the back of two wins, hoping to add a third in a row. This however was not to be as Shipston adapted to the appalling weather conditions better than Kenilworth. The game started with driving rain, wind and temperatures close to freezing.
In the first ten minutes both teams tried to get going but mistakes slowed the game down with neither making much headway. Shipston then broke out and scored the opening try which was also converted. Straight from the restart Shipston ran the ball back for their second try, with Kens missing tackle after tackle. Minutes later as Kens mounted an attack they dropped the ball, resulting in Shipston scoring again taking the score to
21 - 0.
Kenilworth then began to get some momentum and the pressure paid off as Liam Roberts final pass sent Will Maisey in for a try and conversion. That though was that as more missed tackles allowed Shipston in twice more before half time.
The second half was much the same with Shipston scoring twice more before the referee brought proceedings to an end
Kenilworth u15s - 20 Leamington u15s - 7
Sunday 11th November 2007
Kenilworth entertained their local rivals Leamington at home and on the main pitch, hoping to continue their fine form. Following a well observed two minute silence Leamington kicked off in dry but windy conditions.
Kens were five key players missing for this grudge match but from the off they took the game to Leamington. The forwards of Rob Mitchell, Tom Fisher, Reece, Rick Barfoot, Dennis Martin, James Fisher, Lewis Noakes and John Fox powered into their pack forcing them onto the back foot. As the ball was secured the backs of Rob Bennett, Will Maisey, Arthur Haynes, Jack Snelson, Sam Williams, Ashley Millington and Brad Attwood continued the great start by keeping the ball in the opponents half.
After five minutes all the pressure paid off as some excellent forward play resulted in James Fisher going over for a try. The conversion from a tight angle and in blustery conditions went wide. From the re start Kens went on the attack and only a knock on right on the try line prevented the second try. All Leamington could do was kick from there own half to relieve the pressure as every time they tried to run it Kenilworth were in their faces forcing error after error.
Kenilworth were now controlling the game and Leamington were rattled, desperately trying to get a foothold in the match. Kens forwards again surged forward down the right, each one driving and rucking Leamington players back. Some how Leamington hacked the ball clear, Kens full back retrieved it and when the ball arrived with Will Maisey a well executed cross field kick was collected by Sam Williams, who raced over for the second try. Will scored the conversion to take the score to 12 - 0.
As the first half drew to a close a clever chip into space by Leamington turned Kens but as they burst through both Brad and Lewis tracked back to thwart the attack, and as had happened all game kens were immediately there in numbers to push Leamington back.
Leamington started the second half brightly and looked as if they meant business, but some ill discipline and a very high tackle gave Kens the opportunity to push them back into their own half. With ten minutes gone of the second half Will kicked another cross field ball, and as in the first half Sam collected. This time he beat two defenders to score his second and Kenilworth’s third try. The conversion attempt fell just short.
The game then became a midfield contest with both sides probing at each other. Joe Kinson replaced Lewis in the pack. Then as time was running out Leamington loaded the right side at a ruck and as the ball came out their fly half kicked the ball cross field, Kens winger miss judged his catch and their winger went over for a try. The conversion was successful. Tom Davis replaced Ashley for the last five minutes. Kenilworth ended the scoring with a penalty when Leamington infringed at a ruck to complete a memorable and well deserved victory
Every Kenilworth player should be proud of this result and of how they played. The forwards dominated their forwards in all aspects, Will Maiseys kicking was excellent and at inside centre Arthur Haynes never stopped working.
U15's News 2007/08
Kenilworth u 15s - 34 Burntwood u 15s - 7
28th October 2007
A re-arranged match from the fixture pool saw the visit of Burntwood rugby club from Staffordshire to the cow patch.
From the start Kens were up for it putting the much larger Burntwood team under pressure, pining them back into their own half. When they did get any sort of possession the Kens were in their faces giving them no time on the ball. Kenilworth’s scrum, line out, rucking, mauling, tackling, passing and kicking was excellent and added to the pressure on Burntwood.
After 10 minutes the pressure finally told as the kens forwards secured the ball, sucked in the Burntwood players and then released the backs with Jack Snelson going over for the try. From a tight angle a difficult conversion was missed.
Five minutes later and as Burntwood tried to get back into the game, they lost possession deep in Kens half. Kens forwards won the ball which came back to Will Maisey and he kicked a delightful ball in between their three quarter line and full back. A great chase from Lewis Noakes (making his Kenilworth debut) put pressure on the full back and as he fumbled, Will Maisey capitalised to score. Another difficult conversion kick was missed.
Ten minutes later Kens scored again with a great team try, where just about every Kens player either touched the ball or supported a run resulting in Rob Bennett scoring a try. This time a great kick from Will to add the conversion.
Two minutes later and as Burntwood pressed Liam Roberts intercepted the ball running in a try from the half way line under the posts, converted by Will.
To their credit Burntwood who did seem a little shell shocked scored on the stroke of half time, as their forwards forced the ball over and converted
The second half started with Burntwood pressing forward and only some excellent defence from the Kens kept the scoring down. They did get the ball over the try line only to be denied by James Fischer holding the ball up. The game then settled down with both teams having spells of possession.
With twenty minutes gone Burntwood had a scrum inside there own 22, but a mighty push by the Kens pack caused confusion and Joe Kinson went over for a try. This was unconverted from a tight angle. Kenilworth again upped the tempo adding more pressure on the visitors, and once more it paid off as Lewis Noakes scored following some great team work. Just as in the first half Burntwood pressed for a score in the dying minutes but Kens kept them at bay for their first win of the season.
This was a good victory for Kenilworth with six tries scored by six different players, and with the backs and forwards scoring three a piece. This proves that all the hard work at training and at matches both by players and coaches is starting to pay off.
Kenilworth u 15s - 5 Broadstreet u 15s - 40
14th October 2007
Kens first home game of the season and optimism was high for a win. The first half was fairly even with both teams having chances, unfortunately Kens failed to take theirs while Broadstreet scored and converted twice.
The second half started brightly for Kens with the team setting up Will Maisey to score in the corner. As Kens pushed forward for another score an interception allowed Broadstreet in to score and convert.
After that Kens began to make more mistakes and Broadstreet punished them with three more tries and two conversions.
Nobody can doubt the effort and commitment the lads put into the game, and the final score did not reflect their hard work. They are a skilful group of players and the first win cannot be far away.
Match report: Sutton Coldfield u15s - 59 Kenilworth u15s - 0
September 30th 2007
Kenilworth travelled to Sutton Coldfield for their first 15 a side game of the season, with only a squad of 17 fit players. Due to an approaching cup match, Sutton Coldfield ’s squad had over 30 players.
Despite the final score, Kens played with a lot of commitment, effort, skill and they never gave up even as the score mounted. The forwards held their own even when SC changed their pack several times. The Kens won scrums, line outs - some against the head, even though SC were a much heavier pack.
SC won the game by winning the ball at the break down. Also when their backs broke it was at speed and Kens were unable to cope. SC scored at regular intervals running in 28 points in the first half and 31 in the second.