Old Saltleians 45 - 16 Kidderminster Carolians

KIDDERMINSTER remain rooted to the foot of Midlands Two West (north) after a heartbreaking defeat at fellow strugglers Old Saltleians.

There was no sign of the nightmare to come when KCs took the lead in the first minute as Jess Smith crossed the line wide on the left following an attack straight from the kick-off.

Carolians dominated territory and possession, from a knock-on advantage skipper Chris Pinner darted down the blindside before the ball was switched infield for winger Arthur Morgan and centre Rich Sollum to take forward.

A ruck was formed under the posts and a score looked likely until a penalty infringement enabled Salts to clear.

Kidder were disrupted when blood-splattered hooker Grant Jones needed hospital treatment for a head injury, he was replaced by prop Aaron Crawley.

On 15 minutes a kick by Salts’ fly-half was run back at them by fullback Jake Shellis to win a penalty on the host's ten metre line from where Pinner’s well struck effort split the posts.

KC’s were playing with confidence, causing problems for the home side with the elusive running of Shellis, Morgan and fellow winger Ryan Tiene and a number of powerful surges by Smith.

Seven minutes later a series of phases created space for centre Tom Maher to go over for a second try and a healthy 13-0 lead.

Salts found a foothold in the game after kicking a penalty to five metres and a catch-and-drive from the lineout saw them register a converted try.

Kidderminster suffered more injury blows, losing second row Rob Phillips after head injury and Rich Sollom with a dislocated finger.

A scrum on Kidder's five metre line led to another converted try which put the hosts ahead by a point with the score at 14-13 at half time.

From the restart Kidderminster secured a penalty which Pinner slotted home from ten metres.

KCs continued to attack but were unable to add to their total and lost second row Rhys Key with a facial injury which meant the return of Phillips from the bench.

As the last quarter approached the visitors came under increasing pressure which culminated in a second try for Salts from a five metre scrum, again improved by their centre.

Three minutes later a quick tap penalty to himself saw the host's No 10 cross the whitewash with Kidder caught napping to extend the advantage to ten points.

Kidderminster continued to create chances but without reward and with 12 minutes to go they pressed the self-destruct button when an attempted long pass was easily picked off by Salts’ left wing who ran in under the posts for a gift wrapped try.

A high cross-field kick and a fortunate bounce provided another try and conversion for the hosts before Phillips, who was still suffering the effects of his earlier injury, was withdrawn to leave KCs to finish the match with 14 players.

Salts added another try as their forwards dominated the final minutes to make the final score 45-16.

Kidderminster will be looking for a change in their fortunes when they host Spartans (Midlands), kick-off 2.15pm.