Kidderminster Carolians 27, Old Salteians 33

KIDDERMINSTER Carolians demonstrated how far they have come with an impressive display against second-placed Old Salts.

While edged out, this was a much-improved display from KCs, who had been thrashed 51-5. The Marlpool Lane side demonstrated determination, even when they had fallen 26-8 behind.

The hosts had made a strong start and Chris Pinner’s penalty in the seventh minute put them ahead.

But their opponents from Birmingham hit back when James Mason touched down and Lewis Beaty converted.

Old Salts then powered into a 14-3 lead when Dwaine Evans touched down and Beaty added the extras.

KCs skipper Rob Delahay plunged over from close range to reduce the arrears to 14-8 but once again their opponents stretched their lead to 21-8 with another converted effort.

Kidderminster replied with a spell of pressure but Layton Wilkinson saw an effort missed by the referee though a gaggle of players.

Once again, Old Saltleians scored when Zac Mann touched down for a try.

KCs refused to throw in the towel and, after Beaty had missed a far-from-easy penalty chance from near the ten-metre line, they re-established themselves in Salts 22.

A fine tackle by Richard Sollom denied Mann a second score and George Morgan crashed through to cross at the left corner and cut the deficit to 26-13.

KC’s had the bit between their teeth and a surging charge by hooker Ben Turner almost took the forwards over but they were held up on the line.

Another drive was stopped by Salts just short but they lost possession in their in-goal area and Pinner got a hand on the ball for a try which he converted himself.

With the score 26-20, KCs suffered a setback when Tom Burrows scored and Beaty added the extra points.

But the hosts were not finished yet and, from a scrum, Pritchard danced down the short side to score and Pinner converted excellently from wide out to set Salts’ nerves jangling once again.

Despite defeating, KCs’ two bonus points saw them leapfrog Moseley Oak into third place in the Midlands Division Two West (North).