Kidderminster Carolians 31 Old Leamingtonians 3

IN-FORM Kidderminster Carolians put Old Leamingtonians to the sword to record their fourth straight win in the Midlands Division Two West (South).

The Marlpool Lane side continue to keep the pressure on top two sides Earlsdon and Spartans and cement third place.

Victory was built on a superb defensive display, which laid the foundations for yet another bonus point.

Matt Rigsby opened the scoring after a series of powerful drives and a raking kick by George Morgan.

The visitors from Warwickshire pulled back a penalty from the half way line and dominated the next 20 minutes without breaking though KC’s robust defensive line.

KCs were soon back in charge and Mitchell Hardwick ran in an interception try from halfway to touch down under the posts and Morgan’s simple conversion extended the lead to 12-3.

Rob Phillips skipped past Leamingtonians’ left winger and raced away to score in the right corner.

Laurence Hughes seized on a loose ball to run in unopposed from 40 yards out for a fourth try, which was converted by Morgan and hand Kidderminster a powerful 24-3 lead.

The visitors’ cause was not helped when their fly-half was yellow carded for a late tackle on Morgan.

A terrific counter attack sparked by Phillips, taken on by Alex Baldwin and involving several other pairs of hands, was worthy of a try but KCs had to settle for a penalty, which was unfortunately missed and there was no further first half scoring.

Hughes nearly took advantage of another loose ball but a knock-on prevented him from unleashing the supporting Morgan.

KCs’ defence continued to absorb the away side’s pressure which continued to hold firm even when replacement lock Jack Tunstall was yellow carded.

Nick Martin also produced a try saving tackle to deny Leamingtonians a score.

The away team had to play the last half hour with 14 men when their No 10 was shown a second yellow and dismissed from the field.

KCs wasted no time in taking advantage as a quickly taken tap penalty caught the visitors cold and Phillips crossed for his second try, which Morgan once again converted, KCs will be hoping to replicate their good form at second-placed Spartans in the league on Saturday (2.15pm ko).