KCs late rally secures yet another bonus point (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

KCs late rally secures yet another bonus point

7:00pm Thursday 17th January 2013 in Sport

Kenilworth 36, Kidderminster Carolians 22

KIDDERMINSTER Carolians produced a late try surge to earn a bonus point as they suffered defeat at the hands of promotion-chasing Kenilworth in the Midlands Two West (South).

The Marlpool Lane earned their 12th extra point of the season as they battled back from 36-12 to ensure they took something from a tough match in Warwickshire.

KCs could hardly have made a worse start at second-placed Kenilworth as their scrum-half Gareth Renowden darted over from a ruck to open the scoring, while full-back Tom Kendall added the extras.

Andy McLellan provided an instant reply with a try, which Chris Pinner converted.

But the visitors were disrupted by injuries to Rob Phillips and Ben Turner. With Chris and Alex Baldwin missing and Tom Maher absent, that meant KCs were missing five of their regular forward-line.

A patched up Phillips was able to return but midway through the half the hosts restored their lead with a Kendall penalty.

KCs found themselves trailing when Jimmy Middleton set up Renowden for his second try. Kendall added the conversion.

KCs suffered a slow start after the break and Middleton touched down two minutes into the second-half which Kendall again converted.

It took KCs 10 minutes to establish their first attacking platform with a line-out in the hosts’ 22 but despite a spell of concerted pressure they were unable to score.

The visitors looked vulnerable whenever Kenilworth broke from open play, particularly when Middleton had ball in hand.

From a line-out on halfway Kenilworth captain Jonny Cresswell evaded some questionable tackling to cross for the bonus point try.

Now trailing 29-7, KCs opted to run a number of penalties they were awarded in the shadow of the hosts’ posts and their persistence paid off when prop Matt Rigsby crashed over.

The recovery was halted when centre Dom Sheehan touched down for Kenilworth.

Behind 36-12 with only 10 minutes to play, KCs could have thrown in the towel but once again showed their resilience and spirit.

Sustained pressure brought a well-deserved try for Phillips and with the last play of the match a fine finish by promising youngster Mitch Hardwick notched up yet another bonus.