By Willie Whitesmith
April 19 2015

Second episode of the Barkers Double header was predictably a very close game with both team playing very committed rugby. In the end Kenilworth were good enough to win this leg- JUST!

Kenilworth 24 Barkers 22

Tries-

Olly Jones 2

Jacob Umaga 1

Matt Slater 1

Conversions-

Zack Templeton 2

Kenilworth got off to a poor start with the Barkers No12 breaking 2 tackles to go through the centre and down the wing. Nil 5 No Conversion 2 mins.

The Kens then took 17 mins to sort themselves out and started to get back into the game with a number of better moves and sustained possession. One of these moves lead to a penalty taken to the Barker's corner. The rolling maul was halted short, but Olly taking the ball at speed went over to score and took the ball up toward the posts. Important on a windy day. Zack got the conversion 7-5.   17 mins.

Pretty much straight from the kick off Umaga playing at 10 took the ball at speed and broke through the centre. Olly Jones right up behind, took the offload from the tackled man and went over to score his second. 19 mins Zack Converted 14-5.

For the next 10 minutes Barkers fought back with sustained pressure, but were held out by great Kenilworth tackling. One of these break downs resulted in a penalty for holding on and Templeton put the ball in the corner. The rolling maul was brought down and the ball stolen, although the ref did not see it that way and Barkers regained possession, only to clear the ball to Umaga standing on the 22. He took the ball down the wing beating 2 men to score. No conversion 19-5 29 mins.

With only 6 minutes to play Barkers won a penalty in the Kens half and kicked for the corner. The resulting rolling maul was stopped but Barkers re formed and went over at the second attempt. No Conversion 19-10 Half Time.

From the kick off Kenilworth took the ball cleanly and rucked and mauled to beyond the half way. Umaga took the  ball from the scrum half and missed passed  to Smith who took the ball at pace all the way up to the 5 yard line where he was eventually brought down, only to offload to Slater following up and then score. 2 mins SH. 24-10

The next period of the game saw the Kens pushed back by penalty after penalty conceded. Barkers then scored at 25 mins making the score 24-17 with conversion.

Barkers then became the dominant team for the last 10 mins with Kenilworth unable to put together much possession. This eventually lead to Barkers scoring in the corner, but unable to convert 24-22 5 mins to play.

Nerves were now fraying, but Kenilworth kept the play in the Barkers half and won a penalty. After consulting the ref there was not enough time for a line out, the guys kicked for touch and the game ended. 24-22. As they say a win is a win.