Banbury 11, Kidderminster Carolians 24

DESPITE conceding a mountain of penalties and playing a quarter of the match with 14-men, Kidderminster Carolians managed to snatch a Midlands Two West (South) bonus-point victory at Banbury.

The Marlpool Lane outfit started slowly and the hosts were in control for the first quarter of an hour.

Twice in the opening exchanges, KCs missed kicks to touch and they were nearly made to pay when Banbury caught the second effort and moved the ball along the backs to wing David Taylor but he was stopped by a last-dtch tackle at the corner.

The Bulls did take the lead shortly after with a well struck penalty by full-back Andrew Joubert.

KCs at last got their hands on the ball when they won a scrum on halfway and a show-and-go from fly-half Andy McLellan created space for himself but his chip into the in goal area was a too strong and Taylor was first to the ball.

The visitors were now getting into their stride and skipper Rob Delahay almost made it to the try-line but his offload was knocked on.

Nonetheless, the momentum was now with KCs and McLellan cut through to score under the posts. Scrum-half Chris Pinner added the extras.

Four minutes before the break the visitors saw prop Ben Turner yellow carded and Banbury edged ahead with a try.

Starting the second-half a man down, KCs were soon up against it and a break and astute kick to the corner by Boyle put the Bulls on the front foot.

The hosts extended their lead with a second Joubert penalty as KCs were being penalised at the breakdown.

Pinner was then sent to the sin-bin KCs ran in three tries in 20 minutes.

Good work by Tom Maher and McLellan allowed number eight Layton Wilkinson to crash over to give KCs a 12-11 lead.

Ten minutes, later Wilkinson grabbed his second try and the returning Pinner added the extras.

The scrum-half then went over for the the all-important fourth try for the visitors.

KCs take on Edwardians in the North Midlands Shield on Saturday (2.15pm ko).