Rust try is a bonus for resurgent Kenilworth

Kenilworth won their crucial National Three Midlands relegation battle with Hereford, bolstering their survival hopes with a bonus point in the process.

The early stages reflected the status of both sides as defences dominated.

The deadlock was finally broken when Hereford infringed at a ruck and Adam Canning slotted over the resultant penalty.

That opening score settled Kenilworth and they produced the more fluid and composed rugby.

Smart interchanges between Jed Boyle and Mike Rust stifled attempted Hereford attacks on a number of occasions and one such exchange led to a counter-attack by Kenilworth. The ball found its way out to Rob Bennett who stepped inside his marker to cross for his first senior try.

Hereford came back at Kenilworth and a period of sustained pressure was relieved by a superb piece of work by debutant hooker Jonathon Cresswell, who ripped the ball out at the tackle.

Tempers were getting frayed and ill-discipline by Hereford resulted in their prop being sent to the sin-bin.

The game then reverted to the dour defensive struggle of the opening minutes and the majority of the play was confined to the middle of the pitch.

Just after the half-hour, Kenilworth did manage to steal possession and good hands from Andy Bladon and Ian Phillips led to the latter scoring the second try of the afternoon. Canning’s succesful conversion put Ks 15-0 up at the break.

Kenilworth increased their lead shortly after the restart when a misfield by the Hereford full-back was pounced upon by Eckard Jacobs, who ran half the length of the pitch to score.

The next ten minutes saw Hereford dominate territory and possession and they were rewarded when their forwards rumbled over in the corner for their first points of the game.

Kenilworth responded with a series of attacks which yielded a penalty. Canning stepped up to assess the kick and, spotting space on the far wing, launched a quick crossfield kick which Rust gathered and ran in from 20 metres.

The successful conversion put Kenilworth 27-5 ahead but, more significantly, the fourth try secured a bonus point which in the context of the league table could prove vital.

Hereford stepped up their efforts in a bid to make the scoreline more respectable and a series of rucks close to the Kenilworth line resulted in a second try for the visitors.

The visitors continued to press but stout defence from Kenilworth produced a turnover in the midfield. Quick hands eventually saw the ball into the hands of Dave Clements, who outran the covering defender to score close to the posts.