KCs in derby success (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

KCs in derby success

9:13am Thursday 25th October 2012 in Local

Upton-upon-Severn 14, Kidderminster Carolians 29

KIDDERMINSTER Carolians emerged triumphant from a Worcestershire derby in the Midlands Two West (South).

Head coach Ian Bletcher opted to play a tight game after having to make wholesale late changes to the backs division.

But the forwards duly delivered as they exerted a stranglehold on the match from the start to notch up a bonus-point win which saw the Marlpool Lane men move up to fourth in the table.

Unforced errors in the early stages let KCs down and it was almost 20 minutes before scrum-half Chris Pinner opened their account with a penalty.

Five minutes later, Upton took the lead when strong running saw them score converted try.

KCs went straight back on the attack and a quickly taken tap penalty caught Upton napping but the final pass was wayward.

But a solid five-metre scrum created space for Pinner to dart over by the posts for a try which he converted himself to give the visitors a 10-7 lead.

On the stroke of half-time, Layton Wilkinson touched down to make it 15-7 after KCs had opted for a scrum.

Early in the second period a good take at the back of a line-out and a probing kick by fly-half Andy McLellan put KCs on the front foot again and the Old Street side were under constant pressure for the next 10 minutes.

Replacement Richard Sollum almost got over in the right corner, before Upton eventually cracked when Wilkinson went over for a pushover touch down from a five-metre scrum.

Pinner’s conversion gave the 22-7 scoreline a more realistic look but they did not deal with the restart and Upton almost in corner.

However, they were soon back in their own 22 as KCs continued to dominate territory, limiting the hosts to a couple of breakaways which were both halted by some fine covering by Pinner.

Upton did get some reward when their winger squeezed over at the corner for a try, which was converted to reduce the arrears to 22-14.

The visitors responded by camping on Upton’s line for the last 10 minutes in search of a bonus-point try and their forwards were twice held up over the whitewash before the home side were yellow carded.

KCs changed tactics and moved the ball from yet another close range ruck.

Makeshift centre Tom Maher was hauled down just short but wing Arthur Chiverton was on hand to cross the line and secure the bonus point, with McLellan adding the extras with the last kick of the game.

KCs’ next match is on Saturday at home to Bedworth (3pm ko).