Kidderminster Carols 12, Bridgnorth 37

KIDDERMINSTER Carolians produced a battling performance against Midlands Division Two West (North) runaway leaders on Saturday.

In front of a large Chairman’s Day crowd, KCs faced a daunting challenge against the league’s pacesetters, who had racked up 520 points in 12 games and conceded just 77.

The visitors opened the scoring when winger Luke Stevens touched down but to Kidderminster’s credit, and Bridgnorth’s over elaborate play, the floodgates did not open.

KCs responded well and enjoyed a spell of pressure, with the hosts certainly cause their local rivals a headache at the scrums.

Committed defending epitomised by a crunching tackle by fly half Chris Pinner which stopped Will Crossley in his tracks,kept Bridgnorth at bay and while skipper Rob Delahay producing a man of the match display.

Layton Wilkinson’s ball carrying also earned KCs valuable yards as the home side continued to take the game to their well-drilled opponents.

The host’s good work paid off when the efforts of Matt Rigsby, Chris Baldwin and Rhys Pritchard allowed Williams to breach Bridgnorth’s impregnable defence.

Andy McLellan’s conversion kick although only 15 metres out and straight in front,was blown off course by a strong gust of the capricious wind but clipped the inside of a post to drop over and reward KC’s terrific first half performance with an unlikely 7-5 interval advantage.

However, Bridgnorth stepped their performances up a gear and turned the game on its head with a four-try blast to power into a 37-7 lead as Ash Bithell, Gareth Bladon, Elliot Brookes and Will Biddell all touched down.

Although the game was lost, KCs continued to battle away and with five minutes remaining Josh Winfield ran in a consolation try after a storming surge into the 22 by Wilkinson and a well timed-pass by McLellan.

There was still time for the exciting Winfield to threaten the try line twice more but despite the late flurry by the home side and their tremendous first half display,Bridgnorth’s pace and power in the second period had proved too hot to handle and they were impressive winners of a very good game of rugby.