League leaders are too strong for KCs (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

League leaders are too strong for KCs

10:00am Thursday 4th October 2012 in Local

Old Laurentian 36, Kidderminster Carolians 12

KIDDERMINSTER Carolians failed to pick up any points as they were soundly beaten by the Midlands Two West (South) leaders.

Both sides missed early penalty opportunities but the home side had started the brighter and went ahead with 10 minutes played.

A KCs up and under was safely taken by full-back Ben Wiles on his own 22 and OLs ran the ball out of defence before putting openside flanker Rudi Reid in the clear for the opening try.

The hosts continued to have more of the play and KCs had a let off midway through the half when a penalty kick by fly-half Jon Bean struck the outside of a post.

But the reprieve was shortlived as OLs ran the 22 drop out back at Kidder and their number eight went over for a second try. Five minutes later the Warwickshire side kicked a penalty to touch and from the five metre line-out set up a ruck before spinning the ball wide to their left wing Troy Owen, who ran in their third try for a 17-0 lead.

Faced with such an onlslaught KCs could well have folded but showed great spirit and when the hosts’ front row went up early at a scrum, quick thinking from scrum-half Chris Pinner set-up Lawrence Hughes for a try under the posts.

For the last 15 minutes of the first-half, KCs played with far greater purpose and were unfortunate not to score again, before being hit by a sucker punch when a Danny Murch breakaway try put the hosts 22-7 up at the break.

It was a similar story at the start of the second-half as again a visiting attack broke down and second row Ben Anderson went over for the home side’s fifth try.

A driving maul from a lineout 30 metres out then further threatened KCs’ line but they in turn, put OL under pressure with a series of five-metre line-outs and scrums.

The leaders held firm but KCs determination was eventually rewarded when lock Rob Phillips sparked a phase of attacks and was in the right place to finish things off, squeezing over in the right corner.

It was a mere consolation as the hosts had the last word, Lee Hersey outsprinting the visiting defence from his own 22 to score under the posts, adding the extras himself.