Ludlow 34 - 10 Kidderminster Carolians

KIDDERMINSTER'S selection woes continued as they fielded an inexperienced team with a number of players out of position for their trip to Ludlow.

Their defeat leaves them struggling in Midlands Two West (north) with just one win and seven points and a third of the season already played.

After two minutes Ludlow used ruck possession on Kidder’s ten metre line to move the ball right with some slick handling winger Will Sparrow sped in at the corner for the opening try.

Kidderminster hit back with a penalty by skipper Chris Pinner from just outside the hosts' 22.

Following pressure on the KC's defence a lineout was overthrown to gift possession back to the home side and from a midfield ruck they exploited space on the left to send former Kidder player Lawrence Hughes in at the corner, Sparrow converted from the touchline to open up a 12-3 lead with a quarter of an hour on the clock.

Five minutes later Ludlow’s Dan Rawlings burst from a ruck fifteen metres out and with two defenders hanging on to his shirt but unable to stop him he crossed the whitewash for the hosts’ third try, Sparrow added the extras.

Kidderminster took a few minutes to regroup after the early Ludlow onslaught, centre Tom Maher and right wing Arthur Morgan combined well to briefly threaten and dangerman Sparrow was then well policed into touch as Kidder covered across in numbers.

Committed defence twice stopped Ludlow in their tracks but right on half time the visitors suffered another setback when Sparrow slotted a penalty from thirty five metres.

The second half began with the home side relentlessly on the front foot but struggling to make any significant inroads against a stubborn Kidder defence.

A kick and chase by left wing Alex Royall gave KCs some respite and then a terrific scrum raised their spirits, with the resulting penalty being kicked to within a metre of the 22.

Their throw was lost but the tap back by Ludlow saw the ball inside their 22 for the first time in the match.

Four minutes later KCs were at last able to give Morgan a run and he followed up his own chip ahead to touch down at the right corner, Pinner converted to bring the visitors back into the game at 22-10.

However the score brought a devastating reply from Lulow, from a scrum on their own ten metre line they worked the ball to Sparrow who stormed to KC's 22 before he was tackled.

The ball was switched left to create an overlap and centre Mark Williams strode over for the bonus point fourth try, which was improved by Sparrow.

In the dying moments a clearance kick failed to find touch and was run back at Kidderminster to fashion a second try for Williams and seal a convincing win for the home side.

Next week KC’s travel to Old Saltleians for a North Mids Shield quarter-final tie (KO 2.15 pm).