Kidderminster Carolians 28, Malvern 12

KIDDERMINSTER Carolians enjoyed a good start to the new year when they overcame a strong Malvern side to progress into the third round of the RFU Intermediate Cup.

KCs started well and good work by Arthur Morgan allowed Josh Winfield to crash over for a try, while Chris Pinner added the conversion.

But any thoughts of a comfortable afternoon were quickly dispelled as just four minutes later Malvern struck back from a lineout on Kidder’s 22, setting up a rolling maul which proved unstoppable as they drove all the way to the line for a classic forwards try.

With 20 minutes played a clearance kick bounced kindly for the chasing Malvern player to put them on the front foot again and some fluent phases were finished off by second row Grant Fraser who went round under the posts to give centre Ben King a simple conversion for a 12-7 lead.

In this ding-dong encounter it was KCs turn to score next as George Morgan ran in for the equalising try which Pinner improved to nudge the hosts back in front 14-12.

Both sides continued to look dangerous in possession, playing some remarkably entertaining handling rugby despite the worsening conditions, but ten minutes before half-time it was Carolians who made the important breakthrough with a third try.

From a scrum Pinner then darted under the posts and the skipper’s conversion gave the home side some breathing space at 21-12.

Almost immediately afterwards Malvern kicked a penalty to touch 15 metres out and tried to repeat the manoeuvre which brought them their first try but this time KCs defended the drive well before clearing their lines.

KCs almost scored again with the last play following a surging burst by prop Matt Rigsby, the forwards and backs combined to create an opening only to be thwarted by a forward pass.

The start of the second period was just as competitive as the first half had been and on several occasions KCs had to rely on the trusty left boot of fullback Andy McLellan to keep the visitors at bay.

A naïve Malvern offside offence gave KCs the option of a scrum 15 metres from the visitors’ line and they made the most of the opportunity to send George Morgan over for his second try, which Pinner again improved with his fourth successful conversion Malvern nearly scored when they seized on a loose ball on halfway and raced into the 22 but King cut back into traffic and was smothered when he had men to spare outside and the chance was lost.

A Malvern scrum 10 metres out then looked menacing but great work on the floor by flanker Mike Protheroe at the breakdown which followed saw the danger cleared.

In the gloom the two teams were becoming indistinguishable until the referee consented to a Kidderminster change of shirts and the visitors continued to test their defence to the full with a series of scrums and lineouts.

But the hosts held on to seal victory.

KCs resume the Midlands Division Two West (North) at Stourbridge Lions on Saturday (2.15pm ko).