A COMFORTABLE 55-14 victory over Droitwich got Kenilworth’s Midlands One West promotion-push back on track at Glasshouse Lane last weekend.
The win extended Kenilworth’s unbeaten home record in the league to nine games, with the latest result perhaps being their most straightforward yet.
It also ensured the best-possible response to last week’s disappointing 28-14 defeat at Whitchurch to open the year.
Kenilworth burst out the traps looking for early points, claiming their first score of the game through Nyle Beckett’s unconverted try ten minutes in.
Play went straight back into the Droitwich half after the restart and resulted in a second try – this time converted and scored by Jayde Cruickshank – to put the hosts 12 points in front.
Some positive play from the visitors was quickly rebuffed by flanker Sam Harrison’s tackle, causing a turnover that led to Alex Selby adding a third score of the game. Cruickshank duly added the extras.
A bonus-point try followed just four minutes later when Jack Scott flew past the last line of defence to score an unconverted try in the corner.
While the fast start eventually died down, it was the hosts who always looked more likely to make an impact on the scoreline next.
Harrison added a final converted score of the half near to the posts to send his side 31 points ahead at the break.
The visitors came out positive and scored their first seven points of the game as the second half commenced, but it was a revival that was short lived as Ryka Shekavati forced his way over the try line for Kenilworth’s sixth try.
Three further scores followed for the hosts as the contest – albeit not a close one – came to its conclusion.
Converted scores by Harrison and Mikkel Andresen, in addition to five points from Gareth Renowden, completed the Kenilworth scoring.
While Droitwich had the final say with a second converted try, the game was already won as Kenilworth kept the pace with Lichfield and Dudley Kingswinford at the top.
Incidentally, Kenilworth head to leaders DK on Saturday (2.15pm), fuelled with further confidence after their hosts’ 11-7 defeat at Hereford last weekend.
