4:23pm Tuesday 8th January 2013
Kidderminster Carolians 24, Old Laurentians 58
KIDDERMINSTER Carolians’ 100 per cent home record was blown away by a Laurentians side whose nine tries demonstrated precisely why they top Midlands Division Two West (South).
The Marlpool Lane side managed to earned a bonus point after scoring four touch downs but they were stunned by a very strong Laurentians side, who had roared into a 51-5 lead.
The visitors went ahead after only two minutes when fly half John Bean slotted over a 30 metre penalty.
KCs responded with five minutes of sustained pressure which was rewarded with a penalty ten metres out and they kicked to touch to set up a great attacking position but lost the lineout.
Another attack by the home side saw them caught on the break as Laurentians winger Simon Bayliss intercepted a potential try scoring pass and sprinted away to score under the posts.
Bean added the extras and having dominated early possession and territory KCs found themselves trailing 10-0.
The hosts then suffered another set back when hooker Stu Such was yellow carded and OLs soon took advantage as fullback Ben Wiles ran back a clearance kick to set up a series of rucks, which eventually stretched KCs’ 14 men and allowed winger Troy Owen to speed into the corner for a 15-0 lead.
The league leaders were now beginning to suck in KCs defenders to create space out wide and Ben Anderson found himself with acres of room on the right flank to cross for an easy try.
Bean then broke through some weak tackling for a try which he converted himself to leave the stunned home side trailing 27-0.
But the hosts fought back and after good work by Tom Maher, scrum half Chris Pinner forced his way over to grab a try.
However, Owen scored his second to increase Laurentians’ advantage to 34-5.
Another score early in the second half killed off any hopes of a KCs fight back.
Arthur Chiverton tried to relieve the pressure with an exciting run out of defence but when the ball was lost on halfway line, the visitors counter-attacked and Bayliss finished the move with Bean adding the extras.
KCs found themselves trailing 51-5 when Owen scored his third try of the match.
The hosts rallied and captain Rob Delahay was stopped just short of the line after a strong run but Jake Evetts was on hand to scored KCs’ second try.
The home side sniffed the possibility of a losing bonus point and piled on the pressure, resulting in a try for lock Alex Baldwin and a conversion for Pinner.
The visitors hit back with a try by centre Danny Murch, improved by Bayliss this time, but KCs showed great character to take the game to Laurentians yet again and a second try for Pinner,which he converted himself, secured a hard earned but well deserved four try bonus point.
KCs face another really tough challenge away to second-placed Kenilworth on Saturday (2.30pm ko).
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