Report submitted by KCRFC

Kidderminster Carolians RFC 10-15 Whitchurch RFC

THE home side made a solid start and with five minutes gone won a penalty for offside thirty metres out but the kick at goal was hooked wide.

Three minutes later they were made to pay when the visitors ventured into KCs territory for the first time with an attack down the left and kicked ahead into the goal area.

Kidderminster full-back Sam Taylor seemed to have shepherded the ball over the dead ball line just before winger Joe Mullock got a hand on it but the referee thought otherwise and awarded the try.

KCs' skipper Chris Pinner, playing at fly-half, used the windy conditions to kick forward and from a ruck inside the visitor's 22 Kidderminster were awarded a penalty for a high tackle which the captain converted.

Both teams made mistakes and missed chances in tough conditions and the half finished with the score on 5-3 to Whitchurch.

With the elements now in their favour Whitchurch started the second period strongly as KC’s found it difficult to make any distance with their clearance kicks.

After only two minutes Mullock scored his second try as he again won the foot race for a kick into the goal area and this time there was no doubt.

Rob Phillips initiated a promising attack for Kidderminster down the right which was taken on by young winger Keiron James.

From a scrum just outside the 22 Phillips made another strong run but tantalisingly close to the line could not quite find the support.

KCs continued to build pressure and after hooker Ryan Wainwright had been stopped just short flanker Mike Protheroe plunged over for a well deserved try.

Pinner defied the wind with an excellent conversion to level the scores at 10-10.

Whitchurch’s response was immediate and only four minutes later a forwards' drive from a lineout in Kidder’s 22 had the hosts in full retreat before the ball was spread wide and full-back Josh Gorst came into the line to cross the whitewash and restore the visitors' lead.

Despite having more possession for the remainder of the match Kidderminster were unable to find a way through and finished the game with just a losing bonus point to show for their effort.

Next Saturday KCs entertain Earlsdon in the RFU Intermediate Cup, kick off is at 2.15pm.