RUGBY UNION: KENILWORTH Ladies survived a late onslaught from Lutterworth to secure a tense 19-12 victory at Glasshouse Lane, writes Sophie Freestone.
The win secured Kenilworth’s fourth victory in four league matches to stay top of the NC Midlands 1.
It was a match in which the experience of Lutterworth came up against a comparatively new side in Kenilworth – and from the opening stages it looked as if the hosts would go on to secure a comfortable victory.
Tim Burden’s side scored two tries in the opening ten minutes to open up a 12-0 lead.
However, as the first half went on, Lutterworth grew into the game and made it difficult for Kenilworth to add to their early scores.
With the opening half entering it’s final stages, pressure started to build on Kenilworth’s defence and penalties resulted from it.
Eventually, flanker Cath Lyon was shown a yellow.
Lutterworth capitalised on their advantage with quick hands taking the ball out to full back Lucy Henderson who scored in the corner.
The conversion was short as the first half ended with Kenilworth holding a 12-5 advantage.
The hosts began the second half in the same way they opened the first, scoring a try straight from the restart through Lewis.
Having built a strong lead with just under 40 minutes to play, Kenilworth came up against a series of Lutterworth attacks for much of the second half, with further penalties giving Lutterworth both territory and possession.
Strong Kenilworth defence kept the visitors at bay however, until scrum half Sophie Etheridge broke through to cut the deficit to nine points with a try under the posts.
Fly half Claire Evans’ conversion meant that there were just seven points in it with ten minutes to play.
Further attacks from Lutterworth in the closing stages continued to put Kenilworth under pressure.
However, an impressive defensive effort and Lutterworth’s failure to take their opportunities meant that Kenilworth held on to secure an important 19-12 victory.
The result sees them stay top of the league, two points clear of Five Ways Old Edwardians.
Their next league fixture sees them travel to Wellingborough on Sunday, November 5.
