Stourbridge Lions 19, Kidderminster Carolians 7

KIDDERMINSTER Carolians saw an early lead squandered as local rivals fought back to claim the derby spoils.

The start of this much-anticipated clash was delayed by almost half an hour owing to the late arrival of the referee but when it eventually got underway, KCs opted to take advantage of the slope and wind.

Carolians started brightly, with fullback Andy McLellan dictating play but the visitors were guilty of kicking when better options were available.

But McLellan punished a Lions mistake with a raking kick, which allowed Arthur Morgan to score near the posts, while Chris Pinner added the conversion.

Stourbridge then began to grow into the game and although KCs’ pack gave them a hard time at the scrums the away team’s kicking became increasingly aimless.

The home side’s increasing threat was rewarded in the 25th minute when KCs were caught offside and Owen Williams made it 7-3.

Stourbridge pulled within a point and when Williams added a second penalty as Kidder’s game plan was beginning to unravel.

Worse was to follow as the away team got on the wrong side of the referee and were penalised relentlessly, finding themselves defending a succession of five metre lineouts and scrums.

After being stretched across both sides of the pitch from the set pieces a well-judged Stourbridge kick to the right corner was safely gathered by winger George Tildsley, who crossed to hand the hosts an 11-7 lead.

Carolians had not made the most of the elements in the first half and with Stourbridge doing the basics better they were going to have it all to do in the second period.

Lions exploited acres of space out wide on the left as Kidder found themselves short of numbers and Will Fallows cantered over.

Trailing 16-7, Kidderminster were struggling but player/coach McLellan was trying to lead by example.

They fell further behind to another successful penalty kick by Williams.

KCs eventually created a try scoring chance down the right hand side, only for the referee to blow his whistle and bring play back for a penalty to the visitors.

To rub salt into their wounds, McLellan’s kick to touch was controversially ruled to have crossed the touchline the wrong side of the corner flag.

KCs threw everything at the home side to try and snatch a losing bonus point but even when Stourbridge had a player yellowed carded, they still could not get over the line.

Apart from the opening ten minutes and their general set scrum dominance, Kidderminster did not play well.

They will be looking to get back on track next Saturday when they travel to Veseyans (2.15pm ko).