Kidderminster Carolians 21 - 13 Walsall RFC

KIDDERMINSTER Carolians secured a vital win over Walsall to lift them off the bottom of Midlands 2 West (North).

The game started with two tries inside four minutes, Neil Mason scored for the hosts and skipper Chris Pinner converted to reward a period of sustained possession.

It was honours even when Roger Weston converted after hooker Rod Dickson displayed an impressive turn of speed to run in under the posts.

Both sides slugged it out in midfield with a series of penalties kicked to touch but the strong wind made throwing straight at the lineout difficult.

Ryan Tiene had the best chance for Kidderminster after being stopped five metres short following a strong run by Arthur Morgan who joined the line from left wing to make a telling forward run.

A quarter of an hour before the interval Mason was yellow carded for a high tackle and from just outside the 22 Weston kicked the penalty to put the visitors ahead.

Walsall added another penalty five minutes later to make the score at half-time 13-7 to the visitors.

Shortly after the break KC's scrum-half Freddie Morgan broke forward through centre midfield into the opposition 22.

Following the tackle that halted Morgan the ball was moved right to Tiene who touched down only to be denied after the final pass was adjudged to have been forward.

Kidderminster's forwards kept the pressure on and another break by Freddie Morgan put Mike Protheroe in to score, Pinner added the extras.

The score sparked a period of attacking play from Walsall but KCs defended their 22 and eventually won a penalty which allowed them to relieve the pressure.

Walsall conceded again and the penalty kick found touch inside their 22, KCs won possession from the lineout which led ruck a ruck on the line.

Rob Phillips arrived at pace to take a pop pass from his scrum-half and plunge over for the home side’s third try, again improved by Pinner.

Walsall fought hard to get back into the game but Kidderminster's determined defence held out for a clean sheet in the second half.

Kidderminster also pushed hard for a fourth-try bonus point, Jess Smith and Tom Maher both went close but without reward and KCs had to settle for four valuable league points.

Next week Kiddeminster travel to Cleobury for a 2.15pm kick-off.