Walsall RFC 32 - 24 Kidderminster Carolians RFC

KIDDERMINSTER Carolians suffered another narrow defeat in their second league fixture of the season although a bonus point for scoring four tries was some consolation.

Walsall dominated the early play, winning ball at scrums and lineouts with ease.

KCs looked dangerous with the limited amount of possession they had but unforced errors brought their attacks to a halt.

Walsall moved into a 15-0 lead in the first 30 minutes with two tries and a penalty, before KCs really threatened.

A sustained period of pressure forced the home side into conceding penalties but KCs lost possession and Walsall counter-attacked to score a further try.

During first half injury time KCs won a scrum in the Walsall half and a blindside break by scrum half Chris Pinner created space for Arthur Morgan to use his pace and beat the defence for a try under the posts.

A conversion by Pinner made the score 22-7 at half time.

KCs scored again through Arthur Morgan early in the second half, again converted, but Walsall restored their advantage when some poor tackling allowed their centre to break out from his own half and score under the posts.

KCs rallied again and started to win more possession midway through the half which, coupled with good defence from Chris May-Miller, Mike Protheroe and Jess Smith, kept Walsall under pressure.

Morgan again used his pace to beat his man on the outside to complete his hat-trick, to make the score 29-19 in Walsall’s favour.

They increased their lead with a further penalty but KCs held the upper hand in the closing stages.

Smith scored the bonus point try after a strong run direct from a scrum and with time running out Rob Phillips burst through in the middle of the field to start a final attack.

Despite clever inter-passing between the visitors' forwards and backs Walsall held firm to deny KCs a try.

KCs entertain Cleobury Mortimer RFC at Marlpool Lane this Saturday, with a 3pm kick off.

They have been drawn away to Old Yardleians in the second round of the RFU Intermediate Cup the following week (October 7).