Kenilworth Women showed a gutsy display and earned a much-needed win at home to Sefton Ladies on Sunday.

Kenilworth spent the majority of the opening forty in their own half, with some ill-discipline costing them precious metres.

Though their fast line speed in defence caused the visitors problems, resulting in a number of handling errors, Kenilworth struggled to capitalise.

Eventually, Sefton were first to get on the scoresheet when their fullback blasted through the defensive line to score under the posts.

Kenilworth responded well to the setback and managed to work up the field through patient play. After multiple forward phases, lock Charlie Stephens managed to drive over from close range to score on the right.

Kenilworth's ambition showed as they tried different set plays and ambitious passes.

There were times when their execution let them down, however, and a lack of concentration after a knock-on allowed the Sefton 15 to gather again, take advantage of a disorganised defence and score just left of the posts.

The fly half missed the conversion, leaving the score 12-5 at half time.

A more disciplined performance in the second half allowed Kenilworth more time with the ball. Eventually, after repeated offside infringements on the tryline, the referee awarded the hosts a penalty try, bringing the score to 12-12.

This gave Kenilworth the spark and momentum they needed to press on in the closing 15 minutes of the match. As Sefton were tiring, the Kenilworth pack started dominating scrums, gaining them two crucial penalties.

With two minutes left to go, it seemed as though Keilworth may have missed their opportunity as Sefton were able to clear their lines.

However, a strong carry from Phillippa Rawbone from the base of the scrum forced another penalty, which captain Becky Hill quick-tapped to bring Kenilworth to within fifteen metres of the try line.

Sefton defended their own try line valiantly for multiple phases, though their fatigue showed with two further penalties.

Eventually, the Kens pack proved too strong, and co-captain Aimee Dymek spun out of a tackle and drove over from five metres out, causing agony for the visitors but ecstasy for the hosts.

Fly half Katie Pittaway added the extras to make the final score 19-12 and bring another thrilling day at Glasshouse Lane to a close.

The win means that though Kenilworth are still ninth, they are now only six points adrift of seventh-placed Harrogate. They play fourth-placed Loughborough Town at home this Sunday at 2pm.