It was heartbreak once again for Kenilworth in the Warwickshire First XV Cup Final as they lost by a point to Midlands Premier side Nuneaton RFC at Old Laurentian's Fenley Field ground.

On an overcast chilly Sunday afternoon the Kenilworth supporters travelled over to Rugby in good numbers hoping to see the men's first XV finally pick up the County Cup for the first time.

It was clear that the players also had a nervous expectancy when some mistimed aerial challenges led to yellow cards for Garrett Bell and David Opoku-Fordjour in the opening 15 minutes.

Whilst Nuneaton also fell foul of the referee in the opening stages, the enforced changes and reorganisation restricted Kenilworth's chances of capitalising on the early dominance imposed by their pack.

Kenilworth lost scrum half Will Canning to concussion after a late swinging arm to the head only yielded a yellow card to the Nuneaton flanker (who received another yellow and hence a red in the dying minutes of the match).

Ben Leahy replaced Canning and whilst normally a Fly Half he battled admirably in his unfamiliar position.

It was Nuneaton who opened the scoring after Opoku-Fordjour's departure to the sin bin. The penalty was kicked to the corner and the Nuns pack drove over for a converted try.

Kenilworth responded swiftly with their pack shoving their opponents backwards in the scrum and forcing a penalty.

This was despatched to the clubhouse corner and the formidable line out drive saw prop Jake Dodd emerge with the ball after crossing the line, Tyler Price kicked the conversion to level the scores.

Nuneaton were now having to put a huge amount of effort into their defence and this caused them to concede more penalties. Kenilworth kicked to the same corner and a clever front peel move saw hooker Ollie Stone crash over, Price missed the conversion but Kenilworth had taken the lead and were in the ascendancy.

Unfortunately they didn't capitalise on the opportunities presented to them during the first half, either a fumbled pass or ball carriers getting isolated, gave possession back to Nuneaton.

Former Kenilworth centre Elliott Brown needed no further invitation and carved open the Kens defence before offloading to his team mate who went over for their second try which was converted to see them lead 14-12 at half time.

The second half saw Kenilworth continue to dominate the set piece and the tight exchanges but again giving up possession to a canny Nuneaton back-line.

Brown made another break to create Nuneaton's third try which again was converted and things were looking ominous for Kenilworth.

Again they bounced back with a driving maul which saw them use control and patience to send Ollie Stone in for his second try which was converted by Price.

Things were starting to get rather heated up front and a high tackle from Kenilworth flanker Mike Ryan led to another yellow card and three points for Nuneaton.

Unfortunately Kenilworth were struggling to exit their 22 and another penalty in front of the posts saw Nuneaton ahead 27-19 with just minutes to go.

Then the real drama started, Kenilworth managed to gain territory in the Nuneaton half, another penalty was kicked to the corner and the referee advised their was just a minute to go.

Nuneaton hauled down the resultant maul and the referee blew for a penalty try with just enough time for the restart.

Kenilworth regathered the ball and made good yards through the forwards up the middle of the pitch. The whistle blew, not for full time but for a penalty to Kenilworth just outside the 22 to the left of the posts.

Tyler Price stepped up to try and seal the victory but agonisingly seemed to lose his footing and the kick fell a couple of feet short.

The full time whistle blew and it was ecstasy for Nuneaton and heartbreak for the Kenilworth side and their supporters.

The focus now returns to the league with fifth-placed Old Halesonians visiting Kenilworth in the next fixture on Saturday 20 November - kick-off 2.15pm