That Kenilworth and visitors Stourbridge were at opposite ends of the Regional 1 Midlands league table coming into the fixture, was suggestion enough that Kenilworth were in for a tough ride; and so it proved with the final score of 35-52 reflecting a spirited performance from Kenilworth and open and entertaining encounter.

Both sides were much changed from the earlier fixture, the hosts scrambling to manage the loss of four starting front row players in the last 14 days.

Kudos to Ollie Brooke and veteran Ed Hunter for stepping up - neither let the team or themselves down, putting in fine individual performances. Welcome also to Bourneville loanees Jack Holdaway and William Aylan brought into help with numbers.

The opening score came from the visitors with 15 minutes on the clock. Their centre crashed over following an attacking scrum inside the Kenilworth 22m. Kick good, score 0-7.

Kenilworth responded well and took play deep into the Stourbridge half only to give away a penalty and let the visitors clear their lines. Stourbridge built on this opportunity and eventually scored a great try, with several deft offloads to take the score to 0-14 by the midpoint of the first half.

Kenilworth were starting to play some good rugby and on occasions had the better of the defence but for a final pass not going to hand or kicking when perhaps ball retention was the better option.

The large home crowd could sense the growing importance of taking such opportunities against a strong Stourbridge team.

Indeed, the visitors' third try of the game came from another Kenilworth unforced error, the Stourbridge backline finishing off another sweeping move. Score 0 -21 as the game moved into the last few minutes of the first half and looking like a long day for the men in Blue and Gold.

Much to the delight of the home faithful, it was Kenilworth who scored the final try before the half-time whistle.

Pressure from a box kick allowed Kenilworth to regain possession, allowing fly half O'Connor to find Hannam with a great pass, who in turn fed Robinson who rounded his opposite man before feeding the tireless captain Cox to score a converted try. Nice nudge from O'Connor took the half time score to 7-21.

The interval message from coaches Lowdon and Boulton was one of the players trusting the system and believing in themselves in the second 40. We needed to show more composure in the red zone and make sure we convert the opportunities that will come our way. Stay in the fight.

The opening 10 minutes of the second half were reasonably even, both teams going at each other but for no return points wise. To mirror that of the first half, it was Stourbridge who opened the second half scoring with a try, following a Kenilworth infringement at the breakdown. Conversion missed. Score 7-26.

Five minutes later Stourbridge went over again, this time a break in the midfield led to a simple two on one with the home fullback, score 7-33.

Kenilworth were still battling hard and successfully repelling several Stourbridge soirees into the home ranks, thanks to some stout defence. Hat-tip to Kenilworth's man of the match, flanker Fin Gibson who led from the front throughout in this regard.

Stourbridge scored another couple of tries to extend the score to 7-45 as the game entered the final quarter. Earlier in the season the final quarter has not been Kenilworth's friend and with an already heavy deficit, it was not looking good for the Blue and Golds despite the battling performance.

But as the season has gone on, the Kenilworth boys played deeper into games and this was to be one such occasion.

Line out possession had been mostly assured all afternoon with Fin Nicholas on the oche, and though this iteration was a little scrappy, possession was won and a couple of phases later Kavanagh used every inch of his height to reach over and score his sides second try of the game. Kick good, score 14-45.

Kenilworth now had their tails up against a tired looking Stourbridge (that's what scoring lots of tries will do to you!) and started to win a number of decisions from the ref.

From one such Stourbridge indiscretion, the ball was kicked deep into the corner, with Nicholas scoring the try following his own throw. Another great kick from out wide by O'Connor. Score 21-45 and the hosts chasing a bonus point.

Though Stourbridge exploited the mismatch in the home defence to score another converted try of their own, score 21-52, with the result not really in any doubt, all (Blue and Gold) eyes were on the hunt for the bonus point.

The bonus point try came with less than 10 minutes to go. Penalty Kenilworth, kick to the corner, catch and drive, this time the flying doctor Hudson with the meat-pie. Kick good, score 28-52.

Just before full time and with the game in the bag, the Stourbridge lads looked out on their feet. Kenilworth kept the pressure on and were rewarded with their fifth try of the game, courtesy of Kai 'Lazarus' Pittam who burrowed over from close range. Kick good, final score 35-52.

Stourbridge comfortably the better of the two sides, the relative league standing justified, however this was a game and a day that at one point was looking very different for Kenilworth.

Special mention to the coaching, medical and management team and of course the players for rallying round and standing up to be counted. 87 points scored in an entertaining game with both sides taking something away from the fixture, Six Nations on the tele, what's not to like.