Old Eds Lose at Kenilworth

Kenilworth 34 Old Eds 5

The Eds travelled to Kenilworth hoping to emulate the good performance of their last game. Starting brightly, they went into an early lead before defensive lapses allowed Kenilworth to establish a lead which they built upon throughout the match. Meanwhile, Kenilworth’s well-organised defense kept the Eds at bay, although the Eds failed to show the incisive running of last week. Paul Levin’s strong running was a feature for the Eds, as was Dave Wilkin’s tackling at the gain-line. The Eds will know what areas to work on as they prepare for their home match against Leamington on 14th October.

Both sides were often penalised for infringements after the tackle.

An early line-out near Kenilworth line saw the familiar Eds’ catch-and-drive routine enabling scrum-half Brad Darlaston to run a scissors move for No11 Tay Brown to power over the line: 0-5 after eight minutes. Eds’ supporters were hoping for more to come, but missed tackles on Kenilworth’s Captain and No6 saw Kenilworth’s No12 score in the left corner: 5-5 after twelve minutes - a soft try from the Eds’ perspective.

Six minutes later, an Eds’ side-entry into a ruck under their own posts saw Kenilworth’s No9 take a tap penalty and off-load for his team-mate to touch down: 12-5. Tom Burdett, playing at No10 for the Eds, was spotted with hands in a ruck and sinbinned for his trouble. Kenilworth’s penalty kick extended their lead to 15-5. Jack Darlaston replaced injured No6 Brandon Carter.

Both team’s attacks were being met with determined defense. Eds managed some good continuity of play and switched their point of attack well but failed to create the gaps to exploit. The half ended with another Eds’ error as an innocuous-looking Kenilworth clearance was mishandled and good support play led to a try under the Eds’ posts: 22-5.

The second-half saw Duncan Parkinson come on for Alton McVey at No14. Eds enjoyed another good period and a Paul Levin carry took them to within metres of Kenilworth’s line. A lost line-out allowed Kenilworth to kick for touch, gain a penalty for a line-out catch and drive – and score: 27-5 ten minutes after the restart. Five minutes later Burdett was again in the referee’s bad book with a red card for too much chatter.

With Eds a player down, Kenilworth laid siege to their line and were rewarded with a converted try: 34-5 after twenty minutes. From the restart an Eds’ line-out catch-and-drive gave good ball for Ashley Kalnins, now at No10, to put N6 Brandon Carter through a rare opening to make 25 metres. The off-load was hacked forward by Wilkins in support, only to go over the dead-ball line before Kalnins could get there. The 22-metre kick was well fielded and returned by Parkinson. Dave McAdam was replaced by Sean Cartwright as the Eds again spent several unproductive minutes in the Kenilworth 22, with the final whistle bringing proceedings to a close.

Final score: 34-5.

Old Eds First Team: S Haberfield, G Parker, D McAdam, R Singh, P Levin, B Carter, D Wilkins, T Hill, B Darlaston, T Burdett, A McVey, A Kalnins, D Elkerton, T Brown, J Holder Subs: S Cartwright, J Darlaston, D Parkinson