The style of rugby taught at Marlborough in the 1870s favoured kicking and dribbling rather than handling.

The club had been founded in 1857 and was aligned to the rugby code rather than association football.

He missed the next game, the first England-Ireland international on 15 February 1875, but was recalled to play against Scotland on 8 March 1875.

Kewley later continued to focus much energy on the game after he retired from playing.

His sporting prowess saw him selected to play for Lancashire as a right-handed batsman.