Kidderminster Carolians 34 Nuneaton Old Eds 24

KIDDERMINSTER kicked-off the new year in satisfying fashion as they avenged their heavy September defeat at Nuneaton.

The Marlpool Lane side had raced into a 17-0 lead before the visitors from Warwickshire pulled them back.

But KCs showed composure to responded impressively and late tries ended Old Edwardians’ fight back.

Both sides had their chances in the early exchanges but the home side opened the scoring when scrum-half Chris Pinner touched down.

George Morgan then ghosted through the visitors’ defence to set up some fine phase play which was finished off by lock Alex Baldwin to double the lead to 10-0.

The half-back pairing of Pinner and Morgan, who was named Hillandale Caravans’ man of the match, were now beginning to pull the strings for the fluent KCs.

Baldwin crashed over for his second and Pinner added the extras to hand KCs a 17-0 half-time lead.

Nuneaton hit back with a penalty but Mike Protheroe ensured a bonus point when he went over for a try.

KCs’ intensity dropped off and Old Eds scored two converted tries to make it 22-17 and get themselves back in the match.

But Pinner scored and then converted a try to fire Kidderminster 29-17 ahead and was instrumental again when he allowed Matt Rigsby to score. Nuneaton hit back again with a late try.

KCs are now the top scorers in the Midlands Division Two West (South). They go to Old Coventrians on Saturday.