HEREFORD  15 - 27  KENILWORTH

Wyeside, Saturday 1 November 2003, 2:30pm

Powergen Midlands 2 West League

Although Hereford lost this game they put in their best performance against a strong side that are obviously looking to get back into the division that they left last year. The main difference between the sides was the fact that Kenilworth did not lose their ball in the tackle but turned over at least 20 of Hereford's ball. When the home team, as a whole, learn to “go to ground” as soon as they are tackled and then ruck the ball, they will improve their ball retention.

Hereford started well and from the first kick off the Kenilworth hooker, Varney, was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes for punching. Kenilworth turned over the ball with the Hereford forwards attacking their 5 metre line and scrum-half peacock made the most of his boot, as he was able to all afternoon. Dave Thomas then made a good run to set up the Hereford forwards, who rucked the ball quickly out to the backs. Good passing found Matthew Pritchard who dived over to make it 5-0. Osborne kicked a difficult angled ball to make it 7-0 after 10 minutes. Kenilworth came back on the attack and won some very good ball in the forwards with a succession of rolling mauls. Finally the pressure told and prop Tahim crashed over for Kenilworth.

Hereford then attacked the Kenilworth line. Hooker Varney was warned again for foul play but the referee decided not to show a card on this occasion. From the resulting penalty Osborne kicked the points to make it 10-5 after 30 minutes.

Kenilworth came back and from another rolling maul saw winger Middleton even the scores at 10-10.

From the kick off centre Purewal broke clear from some poor defensive work to push Kenilworth further ahead. Alex Stanojevic kicked the conversion for Kenilworth to lead 10-17.

Hereford had all the play up to half time and were unlucky not to score with Ben Priday and then Steve Bailey being held up just short.

The ball was moved out quickly by Ben Jenkins from one attack and Richard Mayson was on hand to score in the corner. Osborne fell just short with the conversion.

Into injury time and Kenilworth turned over another ball on their line. The kick took them down to Hereford's 22. Hereford lost their own line out and Kenilworth were on the try line. Another successful rolling maul saw second row Powell score wide out. Stanojevic kicked the points to give the visitors a 15-24 lead at half time.

The second half was end-to-end stuff when either side could have scored but good defences kept the score tight. Lucas Hudrment came on for his first game in the league along with Nigel Birch.

Andy Tanner was just held up a metre short of the line, along with Jamie Bullock on another occasion. Will Mcquaid had some useful runs and with better support could have set up a score. Hereford gave some vital penalties away when in the opposition 22 and continued to lose the ball on vital occasions. Wilf Rees gave a workman like performance and did secure a good deal of ball on the ground.

With 5 minutes to go the Hereford pack were caught offside in front of their posts and Kenilworth fly half got the 3 points which effectively gave them the points. The encouraging thing for Hereford was that the result was in doubt right up until that moment and with a bit of luck and more control could have gained the victory.