RUGBY UNION: CHAMPIONS Kenilworth Ladies secured a 10-5 victory over Coalville at Glasshouse Lane on Sunday to avenge an opening day defeat to their Leicestershire opposition and finish their successful league season with victory, reports Sophie Freestone.
The hosts began the match brightly, scoring a try inside the opening ten minutes. Good work from the pack to Kenilworth deep inside the Coalville 22 before Christie Foster powered over from close range. The windy conditions made things difficult for the kickers all afternoon, and Jasmine Heffer’s conversion attempt sailed wide of the uprights.
The remainder of the opening forty proved to be both a tight and physical contest, with Coalvillle asserting themselves on the match with both territory and possession. However they were unable to convert their field positions into points and Kenilworth went into the break with a 5-0 lead.
The visitors then came out strongly in the second half with a well worked try on the left following a break into the Kenilworth half. Some slick handling allowed Coalville to make it past the Kenilworth defence before touching down to level the scores. With the breeze still blowing, the conversion attempt went wide of the target.
As the half progressed Coalville continued to threaten the Kenilworth defence but were once again unable to convert their opportunities. Kenilworth were fare more successful in making their chances count, however, with speedy winner Patricia McMahon racing over in the right corner to extend her side’s lead to five points. Heffer’s conversion was of the mark to leave the score at 10-5 to the hosts.
With Coalville putting together a series of threatening attacks in the Kenilworth 22 as the match drew to a close, the final stages were nerve-wracking for the hosts’ supporters. Kenilworth’s well-organised defence held firm for a number of minutes, however, to prevent Coalville from levelling the scores. Fly half Felicity Baldwin cleared her lines as Kenilworth secured a hard-fought victory in their final league match, having already secured the title following their victory over Coventry Welsh three weeks ago.
