Stafford 18, Kidderminster Carolians 18

AFTER enduring a miserable November where they suffered four consecutive defeats in league and cup action, Kidderminster Carolians stopped the rot with a disappointing draw at Midlands Division Two West (North) strugglers Stafford.

KCs started the match in a state of some disarray as a result of late withdrawals owing to illness and took the field with several last minute personnel and positional changes and only a replacement prop on the bench for the first 20 minutes until two more arrived to make up their full complement.

To add to their woes, inside the first five minutes centre Rich Sollom went off with a blood injury.

But it was the away side who opened the scoring when Alex Thompson touched down in the corner.

Two penalties edged Stafford into a 6-5 lead as KCs produced errors under pressure.

Once again, Kidderminster hit back and retook the lead when left winger Jordan Hatch cut inside before offloading to second row Jack Tunstall.

Tunstall was tackled as he approached the line but he was driven over by the pack.

Stafford had not shown much behind the scrum but with half-time approaching their fly half went through a huge gap in KC’s midfield to give their left wing a run into the 22 which culminated in a penalty for the home side.

The hosts then forced a host of penalties as they piled on the pressure and finally went ahead again with a converted try as Kidderminster slipped 13-10 behind.

KCs responded again and won a rolling maul from a lineout which took them into Stafford’s 22 for the first time in the second period and they won a penalty which scrumhalf Chris Pinner converted to level the scores.

Despite enjoying more possession, KCs saw Andy McLellan yellow carded as the scales tilted back in favour of the home side.

Stafford nearly exploited their extra man with an attack which fell through because of a forward pass.

Replacement wing Will Varley put in two terrific tackles to keep the home side at bay but they kept coming at 14 man KCs and looked certain to score until their right wing dropped the ball with the line at his mercy.

Ironically, as soon as KCs were restored to full strength they conceded a try when Stafford were gifted possession from an overthrown lineout.

The hosts threatened to cut loose but were kept out by some dogged defending and the visitors then roused themselves to launch a late onslaught which rescued the match when skipper Rob Delahay forced his way over the whitewash.

The conversion attempt,which might have won all four points,was pulled narrowly wide but there was still time for Stafford to almost snatch the win themselves with the very last kick of the game but their penalty effort from the right touchline also missed as both sides settled for a draw.