RUGBY UNION: KENILWORTH Ladies hosted their first double header on Sunday afternoon, with both the development side and 1st XV securing impressive victories, writes Sophie Freestone.
The development side kicked off the day’s action with a match against the University of Oxford Panthers, securing a 25-15 victory.
That was before the 1st XV beat league rivals Five Ways Old Edwardians in the second round of the Intermediate Cup by 81 points to five.
In the opening fixture, Siobhan Allison-Moore crossed twice for Kenilworth’s development side against the Panthers.
Flanker Cath Lyon, fly half Emma Beaney and wing Patricia McMahon also added their names to the score sheet before the Ladies 1st XV took to the field.
Led by winger Pheobe Howles, who scored five tries, Kenilworth advanced to the competition’s third round.
Sophie Henry opened the scoring for Kenilworth with a try inside five minutes before Beth Woodward doubled the home side’s lead moments later.
Howles opened her account after 16 minutes, finding herself in space on the left to extend her side’s advantage to 17 points in as many minutes.
Five Ways Old Edwardians eventually scored their first points of the match, with Rhiannon Watkins burrowing over the line for what was to be their only try of the afternoon.
Kenilworth’s fourth try came courtesy of Howles who showed her deadly acceleration down the right wing to leave the Five Ways Old Edwardians defence in her wake and take the score to 22-5 with 29 minutes on the clock.
Howles secured her hat-trick before Felicity Baldwin made it 41-5 and Howles added a fourth before the break.
Full back Helena Allison-Moore opened the scoring in the second half with a try after 45 minutes, with Rebecca Lane slotting the extras from the tee.
Caroline Spence then bulldozed her way through the Five Ways Old Edwardians defence from inside the 22 to score under the posts and add to her side’s tally. Lewis once again made no mistake with the conversion to give the hosts a 62-5 lead.
Woodward scored her second try following a fortunate bounce before prop Kirsty Davie crossed over in the corner as Kenilworth dominated the game’s conclusion.
It was a fitting moment when Howles crossed over to end Kenilworth’s scoring as the game ended 81-5.
This Sunday, the Ladies take on Towcestrians at home in another development fixture before they return to league action the following Sunday away to Rugby Lionesses.
