Dunlop 27, Kidderminster Carolians 33

KIDDERMINSTER Carolians passed a severe test of their character as a late try burst sealed a win which lifted them back into third place in the Midlands Two West (South).

The Marlpool Lane outfit had been trailing 27-21 after a breathless first period in Warcwickshire before Andy McLellan and Mitchell Hardwick forced the win with late touchdowns.

KCs opened the scoring when good work from Chris Pinner and Rob Delahay allowed McLellan to round the Dunlop full-back and touch down. Pinner added the extras.

But the hosts replied with a try of their own from a scrum.

Ben Binnion then completed a fine team move and Pinner kicked the conversion as KCs powered into a 14-5 lead.

However, Dunlop kept themselves in the game with another try to make it 14-10, only for KCs to increase their advantage again when Rhys Prithcard raced down the wing to score. Once again the accurate Pinner added the extras.

The match was providing great entertainment for the spectators but a clear pattern was beginning to emerge.

Every time KCs ran at Dunlop a score looked on the cards but on the few occasions the home side had a set-piece in the visitors’ half they threatened to come away with points.

Dunlop also had a man-mountain fly-half and a useful pair of centres.

The combination of brawn and deft handling paid off when the hosts punished a long line-out to score a converted try.

Dunlop then took the lead with another touch down and stun KCs.

An early penalty from the hosts extended their lead and as the match threatened to get out of control following an ugly confrontation that saw Rob Phillips and his protagonist both yellow carded.

Dunlop were lucky to escape further punishment as a punch went unseen by the referee.

But KCs let their rugby do the talking and Delahay came close to adding another try.

The visitors’ hard work paid off as the quick thinking McLellan allowed Hardwick to race clear and score a try. Pinner converted to leave KCs trailing by a point.

Then from a throw on their own 10-metre line, KCs forwards drove into the hosts’ half and McLellan appeared from nowhere to break clear and hold off the tackles to increase the advantage to 33-27.

Dunlop laid seige to KCs in search of the converted try which would bring them victory but the Wyre Forest outfit held on.

Meanwhile, KCs Colts beat Telford 27-10. There were two tries for James Turner and one each for Elliott Kelsall andJess Smith, while Mike Preece got a penalty and two conversions. The Colts face Worcester Wanderers in the North Midlands Cup tonight (7.30pm ko).