Jack's the lad as Stratford see off Kenilworth
STRATFORD moved back up to fourth in Midlands 1 West with a 31-14 victory over local rivals Kenilworth at Pearcecroft, writes Nick Hall.
A good-sized crowd were gathered to cheer on the home side after the Christmas buffet, and Kenilworth had brought a sizeable contingent as well.
On paper, Stratford were firm favourites sitting at fifth place at the half-way point of the season while Kenilworth were firmly-rooted at the bottom of the table.
There are no guarantees in rugby though and the league this year is very close and there have been any number of upsets.
Right from the start Stratford showed their intent with a good interchange by the backs leading to Jack Young scoring in the left corner. The centre was also on kicking duty for the day and added the extras himself for an early lead 7-0.
Kenilworth came back hard at Stratford who conceded two penalties in quick succession defending in their 22. Kenilworth opted to take the points on offer and the score was 7-3.
Overall the match was generally pretty scrappy with a number of stoppages for injuries and infringements, and possession switched back and forth between the sides.
It was a quarter of an hour before the next score. This time it was a penalty to Stratford that Young slotted for 10-3.
The vocal supporters, warmed by the Christmas spirit, had to wait until nearly half-time for the next score.
Winger Dan Whitby had a storming run out of the Stratford 22 which left the Kenilworth defence back-pedalling desperately.
The ball then moved rapidly from right to left, where centre Andy Conway, deceptively strong, broke through for a try in the left corner. Another good conversion by Young took the score at half-time to 17-3.
It was not long into the second-half when Stratford extended their lead even further.
Callum Cook made a great break down the left, somehow managing to avoid the touchline by inches, for a classic winger’s try in the corner.
Young continued to relish the kicking duties with a lovely conversion and Stratford were sitting pretty at 24-3.
Kenilworth did not take this lightly and battled hard to get back into the game.
Within ten minutes they had good field position with a line-out deep in the home team’s 22.
The Kenilworth pack mauled the ball close to the Stratford line and they were rewarded with another penalty close to the line.
Back-rower Paul Davies was adjudged to have been the one at fault and received a yellow card. Kenilworth used the extra man advantage to muscle the next drive across the line in the corner. Another good conversion and the score was 24-10.
Kenilworth scored another try 12 minutes later but this was from more open play. A fluid attack, that included a pass so flat it appeared to defy physics, resulted in a score in the left corner again. Duly converted and Kenilworth were right back in the match at 24-17.
Stratford upped their game towards the end as perhaps Kenilworth tired a little.
Good pressure forced Kenilworth to carry the ball back over their own which line gave Stratford a great attacking platform with a scrum just five metres out.
The Stratford scrum had been solid throughout and provided good clean ball.
Sam Kirby, on as sub, linked up with Callum Cook and the winger scored again in the left corner for the four-try bonus point.
There was yet another good kick by Young for the extras.
The match finished with a maximum five points for Stratford at 31-17, and nothing for Kenilworth who deserved better.
The Dick Workman Cup for man-of-the-match was awarded to Jack Young for his all-round performance and goal-kicking.
The extra bonus point saw Stratford edge up into fourth place just above Dudley Kingswinford.
Stratford’s next two league matches are also at home. The first one is against Moseley Oak on Saturday 7th January and the kick-off is at 2.15pm. It was a narrow win 13-6 to Moseley Oak back in September so Stratford will be keen to redress the balance.
