U17's News 2007/08
U17's narrowly miss out in the National Cup Semi-Final game against Melton Mowbray
Kenilworth faced their toughest opponents yet in this competition. Kenilworth piled on the pressure from the kick off, not letting Melton out of their own half for the first quarter of the half. A fantastic scrummaging display kept Melton at bay, and a penalty was won for not rolling away. A break away run down the left wing from Melton was stopped with a thumping try saving tackle from Cameron Wright which ended in a bit of a brawl, resulting in a yellow card for Adam Hadwin. This was disappointing after having kept all the pressure on Melton, not coming away with any points to show for it. It wasn't long before Melton scored the first try of the game which was converted. Rhys Jones injected some hope with a storming run, to score a well deserved try, but this was soon cancelled out by another breakaway Melton try. Despite battling hard the game seemed to be slipping away from the Kens. Just before the half time whistle, the crowd of supporters went wild as Rhys broke the Melton defence and passed the ball to Sam Hobbins to score a well worked try to the delight of the crowd. This made the score at half time Kenilworth 10 Melton 12.
The second half was full on substitutions, seeing Andy Juckes and Dom Williamson replaced for the fresh legs of Tommy Grew and Rob Maisey. Kenilworth continued to win in the scrums, desperately keeping the forward pressure on throughout the rest of the game. More replacements soon followed when Bobby Thompson was replaced by Sam Flowers. Kenilworth conceded two more trys which ended the game 10 - 22. The coaches congratulated the lads on a good all round team performance that they could be proud of.
U17's Win in the National Cup Quarter Final game against Leighton Buzzard. 18 - 14
2 March 2008
Forwards dominance came to the for in this hard fought quarter final. First honours went to Kenilworth when George Haines's sniping the ball from the base of the scrum, ended in a well worked try. Kenilworth battled hard in defence most of the first half defending their own line valiantly. A three point penalty was easily taken by Bobby Thompson. Leighton were down to 14 men and Kenilworth dominated the territory until Leighton eventually succumbed to another cracking try from Cameron Wright which was converted by Big Bobby Thompson. Discipline on both sides began to slip, and an unfortunate yellow card for flanker Jack Gibson meant that Kenilworth had to step up their game. They conceded a last minute try before the half time whistle, which was converted to put the game in balance and the score at 15 - 7.
The battle continued in the second half with evenly matched forward pressure from both sides. Leighton produced another try which made the last 20 minutes a very tense game to watch. Eventually Kenilworth cleverly turned a persistent offence into a well earned penalty, which was kicked by Bobby Thompson in his usual style . Kenilworth held out courageously until the final whistle blew, the game ended with the home side winning 18 - 14. The coaches and supporters were rightly proud and delighted, and anxiously await the the semi final draw.
Match Report: - Kenilworth U17's 45 - Leamington U17's 0
September 28th 2007
Following 100% Winning record from their previous two league fixtures against Stratford and Sutton Coldfield Kenilworth under 17's made the short journey to Moorfields for the fixture against local rivals Leamington.
With conditions damp and blustery Kenilworth began well against a resilient Leamington defence and following good work from the forwards picking and driving forced an early penalty for a handling infringement duly dispatched by Adam Hadwin to give Kenilworth an early 3-point lead.
The majority of the first half then became a tough battle between the Kenilworth pack and a resolute Leamington defence cumulating a number of forced and unforced errors from both sides.
Kenilworth were mainly in the ascendancy and good interplay following a lineout followed by a strong surging run by Jake Dodd and offload to supporting captain Sam Hobbins ended with Hobbins being held up over the line. A poor Leamington clearance resulted in a counter attack from Cameron at full back to set up a good position for quick ball to be released to the backs to allow centre Bobby Thompson to crash over for the opening Try, conversion unsuccessful.
The remainder of the half continued as before with Kenilworth unable to capitalise on good possession and strong running from forwards and backs particularly Corey Corker from the left wing and Rhys Jones at centre. Leamington had a brief period of pressure but a big tackle from Rhys Jones and quickness of mind to get to his feet and force the turnover lead to Jack Gibson running in from half way to score wide out, conversion unsuccessful.
Half Time Kenilworth 13 Leamington 0
The second half seeing changes from Kenilworth, Eggy replacing Lloyd who had had an industrious half at flanker and Alex Jones replacing Corker on the wing began to exert their authority on the game, good pressure from Rob Maisey in the lineout near the Leamington line forced a poor clearance fielded and returned by Jukes, who after making good inroads off loaded to Rhys Jones to score wide out, conversion unsuccessful.
Shortly after the restart a good break and long clearance from Jack Gibson with chase from Jukes to show good footwork to skilfully kick ahead and win the race to score in the corner, conversion unsuccessful.
Dominic replaced Rob Maisey at second row and with Kenilworth now receiving a steady flow of good possession, good interplay between most of the backs lead to number 8 Nick Walley finishing off a well worked Try, conversion unsuccessful.
With Leamington now tiring and Kenilworth introducing further fresh legs with Chris introduced at outside centre at the expense of Thompson, Jones moving in to 12 and Adam Hadwin making way for Michael Lamley to enter on the other wing the reshuffle resulting in Cameron moving to fly half.
Under pressure in the lineout Leamington overthrow to Nick Walley who charged through for his second score, conversion unsuccessful.
Kenilworth now sensing a big score are making life difficult for Leamington, putting pressure on a Leamington scrum allows George Haynes to steal and score at the base, conversion unsuccessful.
The eighth and final try was to come from a scrum 25m out, number 8 Walley picks up draws the defence and puts scrum half Haynes in for a score under the posts, with ironic cheers from the sideline Michael Lamley converts.