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Although they garnered another losing bonus point, a third successive National Three Midlands defeat, this time at the hands of high-flying Hinckley, did little to markedly improve Kenilworth's chances of avoiding the drop back to Midlands level rugby next season. That said, this was a creditable performance by the home side in a scrappy encounter, with their pack measuring up well to their opponents. However, it was a lack of execution by the backs which, not for the first time this term, proved to be their achilles heel (writes Bob Jones).

The first half was evenly contested and littered with penalties, awarded by referee Ben Wish. An initial burst by Hinckley that resulted in an unsuccessful kick at goal by scrum-half Glover after just two minutes, was countered by some good defence, with Andy Bladon especially prominent. Sam Viggers was sent on his way but lost the ball as a touch-down beckoned, then a forward pass to Mike Rust halted the flier as he made for the line. Hinckley opened the scoring after 24 minutes. The Ks lost their own scrum deep in their 22. An ensuing drive by the visitor's pack saw prop Peck get the ball down and Glover add the extras. Viggers and Rust then combined to release Ross Bayston, but his run ended in touch, courtesy of some sound defensive work. Kenilworth pulled back three points just before the half-hour, Alex Stajka popping over a penalty goal following an offside decision. Dave Clements was first called on to illegally stall an attack that was initiated by a chip ahead, then to make an excellent clearance to touch from near his own line as Hinckley poured forward at every opportunity. The Ks responded with a decent move of their own, Jez Noon the initiator, but were forced to hold on to the ball and concede yet another penalty. Line-out steals by Paul Thompson and Luke Watts were not capitalized on just prior to the interval, at which the score was 3-7.

The home side made the livelier start to the second half, but it was the visitors who scored next. Another strong drive by their pack saw Peck collect his second try, which was converted by fly-half Swaddling on nine minutes. The good spell by Kenilworth soon resurfaced, and was epitomised by several effective driving mauls by the pack in the Hinckley 22, but still no reward was forthcoming. James Wadey was withdrawn in favour of Will Parkes, whose mobility about the park immediately began to pay dividends. Full-back Smith was sin-binned after 15 minutes, after he transgressed during a threatening attack by the Ks. Still, however, passes, either with prescriptions attached, or directly to ground, were the order of the day. Not only did the loss of a man fail to bear fruit, it saw Hinckley edge further ahead by virtue of a splendid drop-goal by Swaddling on 19 minutes. The final quarter of this bruising battle opened with Matt Greevy hobbling off, to be replaced by Tom Dempsey. It was left to Parkes to show a secure way forward, but even his brilliant long, mazy run just before the half-hour, petered out. With so much at stake, both sides were over-eager, with Hinckley especially niggly during the final minutes, which included eight added by Mr. Wish. The wily Rust took advantage of this situation. Receiving a rare decent pass , he unleashed a spectacular curving run that left defenders clutching at air and took him over wide out. Stajka was unable to convert. Deep in added time, with play cascading from end-to-end, Kenilworth were penalized for offside, Swaddling obliging with a goal which left the hosts needing two tries, one converted, to draw. In a frantic finale, they managed one, unconverted. A driving maul saw Gareth Renowden on hand to touch down. Once more, too little, too late.

Kenilworth: Clements, Rust, Noon, Viggers, Bayston, Stajka, Renowden, Greevy, Overton, Wati, Wadey, Watts, Bladon, Baillie, Thompson (Capt.). Replacements: Dempsey, Parkes, Mbarga.

Next Saturday (March 13th), the fight for survival continues with a visit to South Leicester. Kick-off is at 3pm.