RUGBY UNION: KENILWORTH earned a fourth consecutive league win on Saturday to lift themselves to third in the Midlands 2 West (South) division.
The Glasshouse Lane outfit are now just four points short of table topping Malvern following a convincing 48-5 win against Barkers’ Butts.
Kenilworth had to work hard to earn the points though, the game changing moment coming when former Swansea propr Rhidian Booth moved forward to take up the tighthead position with 20 minutes of the game played.
Prior to that, Kenilworth’s scrum struggled. Barkers’ superior bulk and power up front created difficulties for Kenilworth as a whole.
Booth’s move to the number three position was transformational for the team as it negated Barkers’ sole attacking weapon in their armoury, enabling Kenilworth’s athleticism and pace to be exploited.
Charlie Stevens broke the deadlock before adding a second try shortly after to gift the hosts a ten-point lead.
Wing Harry Philpot then added a third try on the right after an outstanding move from the backs. The conversion from Simon Tyler added the extras to extend Kenilworth’s lead to 17 points on the stroke of half time.
After the break, Kenilworth were able to fully take advantage of their superior pace and possession as number eight Mikkel Andresen scored two tries in quick succession to give his side a commanding 29-0 lead.
Barkers’ Butts scored their first try of the match after 70 minutes but it was a mere consolation.
Second row Sam Went scored his first try of the season moments later after a jinking effort, falling over from five feet out.
In the final quarter of the game, centre Rhys Jones showed an excellent turn of pace after a superb move from the backline to add a seventh Kenilworth try, with Bobby Thompson converting. Scrum half Gareth Renowden then polished off proceedings to add his name to the score sheet alongside his nephew Charlie. The conversion from Thompson brought the scoring to an end and gave his side a 48-5 victory.
Next up for the Glasshouse Lane side is a home fixture against Berkswell & Balsall on Saturday.
