A visit to a blustery Royal Sutton Coldfield in the semi-final of the Warwickshire Cup, saw Kenilworth come away with a deserved victory in a pulsating game.

Both sides were up for playing open expansive rugby by throwing caution to the wind, and 'having a go.' The crowd and travelling supporters were treated to a right royal feast of rugby.

Kenilworth put the early pressure on the Sutton defence in the opening five minutes, but were unable to make the most of the possession and territorial advantage. Both teams defences held firm in these opening exchanges and in these tit-for-tat battles.

Sutton opened the scoring on 15 minutes from a lovely deft grubber kick through Kenilworth's defensive line for the Sutton right winger, Will Sewin to score a try on the chase. This was converted by full back Matt Smith to make the score 7-0.

This score was followed by another Sutton try by left winger, Zak Tyler after good slick hands to put him away and round the sloppy Kenilworth defence. This try was unconverted as it hit the post and the score was now 12-0.

Kenilworth's resilience at this point shone through and their defence was much tighter. In the 35th minute Kenilworth finally scored a well worked try.

Very effective attacking skills and continuity from both forwards and backs, especially Bobby Thompson, Rhys Jones and Ed Hannam, led to a score from Hooker Finn Nicholas. This was converted by debutant Joe Wilson. At half time therefore, the score was 12-7 and all to play for.

In the second half Kenilworth opened the scoring on 52 minutes though the scanning and precision of scrum half Gaz Renowden and full back Joe Wilson. Joe spotted a gap off the ruck and went through the vacant guard position with the ball, beat the full back and scored under the posts. Fly half Finn Barnacle kicked the extras, to make the score 12-14.

Both sides at this stage knew they were in a real hum dinger of a cup tie.

A handling error by Sutton led to a turn over by Kenilworth off the knock on and effective build up work by Tommy Hunter and Sam Peppit led to Kenilworth establishing themselves in Suttons red zone. In the 62nd minute Joe Wilson put fly half Finn Barnacle into the gap between defenders with a show and go and time on the ball. Finn duly obliged with the well taken try half way out from the posts and kicked the conversion to make the score 12- 21.

Sutton immediately established themselves in the Kenilworth 22 from the restart. From an efficient lineout and long driving maul, they pinned Kenilworth back and scored a well taken try from that drive. This was converted by Matt Smith. This game was now 19-21.

The crucial variable now was how well both teams kept their heads and applied themselves to the task in hand. Kenilworth's coaching team used their replacements to good effect and seemed to have the stronger set up in the last 15 minutes of the match. They scored a well taken try through skipper Ted Bromwich from a forward drive off a lineout and several pick and goes. This was unconverted and made the close score now 19-26.

In the 75th minute Sutton scored a riposte through their go forward phases and good handling in the backs. Outside centre Luke Smith scoring wide out on the right-hand side. This was unconverted. The pressure score was now 24-26.

In this next period of play with Sutton giving away several penalties and an ensuing Yellow Card, Kenilworth went into the ascendency. Kenilworth's forwards duly produced a driving maul from a lineout 5 metres out and scored through tough as teak, Bobby Thompson. This try was converted by Mark O'Connor. The score was now 24-33.

Sutton immediately came back at Kenilworth and in the 87th minute Sam Peppit copped a yellow card from the North Midlands referee for repeated infringements at the ruck area in the Kenilworth 22. From the penalty in front of the sticks, bizarrely Matt Smith hit the post and 3 points went begging.

The closely contested game was still in the balance; Joe Wilson also copped a yellow card for a high tackle when Sutton were freewheeling in attack. Kenilworth were down to 13 men versus Sutton's 14 men.

A scrum ensued and both sets of forwards got into a fracas with the result being the Sutton hooker going to the bin. Kenilworth, then held their own and got the territory through canny close play and kicks into space.

With the experienced, debutant Sam Southall now at scrum half, they effectively closed the game down. Kenilworth fully deserved their win with a gutsy, well measured performance, they are now in the Warwickshire Cup Final playing against old rivals Broadstreet, the date to be confirmed.