KENILWORTH Ladies kicked off their Intermediate Cup campaign with a 28-19 win over last year’s Plate finalists Crewe & Nantwich at Glasshouse Lane on Sunday, writes Aisling Straver.
Crewe & Nantwich went into this cup fixture as league leaders in the Women’s NC North West One division with two wins and a draw under their belt and the ladies knew it would be a real challenge.
The visitors looked dangerous straight from the kick off, running cutting lines in attack and showing their strength in the tackle area.
However, Kenilworth’s defence was resolute and the ladies regained possession with the ball making its way to the backs.
Some great work from Beth Woodward allowed the centre to cross the line for her side’s first try of the afternoon.
The conversion from Rebecca Lewis gave Kenilworth the full seven points.
Crewe & Nantwich responded well, however, with a try under the posts a few minutes later to level the score at 7-7.
Some well executed kicking from Kenilworth then put the hosts in strong field positions and with penalties going their way, the ladies scored two further tries before the break.
Rebecca Lewis converted both, with one hitting the crossbar on the way over, to give her side a 21-7 lead at the interval.
After the break Crewe & Nantwich came out strongly, but it was Kenilworth that were the first to score in the final forty.
A well worked try from Caroline Spence in the 60th minute extended her side’s lead to 28-7 following Rebecca Lewis’ successful conversion.
Despite the deficit, the visitors continued to pressurise the Kenilworth defence to score two more tries before the final whistle, with the match ending 28-19 in Kenilworth’s favour.
Kenilworth Ladies return to league action at Glasshouse Lane this Sunday for the first local derby against Old Leamingtonians.
