Martin bags try treble for KCs (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Martin bags try treble for KCs

12:00pm Thursday 21st February 2013 in Local

Kidderminster Carolians 27, Banbury 16

NICK Martin bagged a vital hat-trick as Kidderminster Carolians produced a Jekyll and Hyde display as they saw off in-form Banbury and recorded another win in the Midlands Two West (South).

The Marlpool Lane side appeared to be cruising to victory as they powered to a 22-9 lead by half-time.

But they survived a scare to earn a bonus point win as Banbury hit back in the second period.

Victory ensured KCs remain in third place but with local rivals Droitwich Spa one place behind with two games in hand, they look set for a battle for a top-three finish.

The hosts were quickly out of the blocks and with two minutes gone, Banbury full-back Andrew Joubert was yellow carded for killing the ball at a ruck on his own try-line.

From the penalty, Kidderminster were held up over the line but skipper Rob Delahay broke from the back of the resulting scrum to give them an early 5-0 lead.

Ed Phillips replied with a drop-goal for the away team.

A mis-placed pass by Mitchell Hardwick allowed Phllips to add three more points with a second drop-goal, but KCs restored their lead when Delahay burrowed over for a second try.

The lead was increased to 17-6 when Martin out-paced Banbury’s wide defence for a touch down which Chris Pinner improved.

Good work by Tom Maher saw Martin scored a second, while Joubert slotted over a penalty from in front of the posts to reduce the arrears to 22-9.

The second-half was a major disappointment for the hosts as they failed to build on their advantage and allowed Banbury back into the match.

The first 15 minutes of the second period saw no further scoring but a strangely lacklustre KCs side had switched off and and Joubert ran around under the posts for a touchdown, which he converted himself, to reduce the arrears to 22-16.

The hosts were conceding a host of penalties and leaving themselves isolated as Banbury piled on the pressure.

It took a timely tackle by Martin to prevent a score which would have turned the game on its head and he then ran the length of the pitch to score a fourth KCs try.

Meanwhile, KCs’ Colts continued their unbeaten run in Sunday Division Two with a 37-7 win over Willenhall to secure the top spot.

There were two tries each for Alex Wallace and Cameron Babb, as well as efforts for Mitch Bennett, Niam Ross and George Morgan. Sam Wilson kicked a conversion.