Kidderminster Carolians 48, Dunlop 5

SCINTILLATING Kidderminster Carolians completely overwhelmed a strong Dunlop side to maintain their excellent form in the Midlands Two West (South).

This clash looked like a really stiff test for KCs against a team who had put 82 points past Leamington in their previous league match, but the hosts powered to a fourth straight win.

KCs had held a former presidents’ lunch before the game and the array of distinguished ex-players looked on approvingly as their blistering start was rewarded with a seventh minute try for skipper Rob Delahay, who finished off a line-out drive.

Five minutes later, the hosts doubled their advantage as an astute angled chip by fly-half Andy McLellan was gathered by Rob Phillips and the flanker finished in fine style.

Man-of-the-match Phillips was at it again as precision passing by wing Arthur Chiverton and full-back James Whitehouse put him in the clear and this time he was able to run round under the posts, to give scrum-half Chris Pinner a simple conversion which extended the lead to 17-0.

It took Dunlop half an hour to make any impression on the match and their first spell of pressure was well-defended by the hosts until lock Alex Baldwin was yellow carded and the visitors took immediate advantage to run in a try.

KCs responded with a concerted attack from the restart to win a kickable penalty but declined the shot at goal.

That decision was justified moments later as a beautifully-timed pass by McLellan found Jake Evetts bursting through at pace and the centre’s try secured another bonus point for the prolific home side.

The hosts were playing at a tempo which Dunlop could not handle and there was still time before the break for Delahay to run in a fifth try after a lovely floated pass by Pinner created acres of space.

The scrum-half added the extras and KCs went into the interval with the game virtually as good as won at 31-5.

A breakout by Delahay put KCs on the front foot right from the start of the second period and they were soon again playing some really good rugby.

After only three minutes, Ben Turner crashed over to round off a forwards drive and another fine passage of play ended with a try for fellow prop Matt Rigsby which was improved by Pinner to stretch the advantage to 43-5.

Head coach Ian Bletcher took the opportunity to rest a few players and there was a bit of a lull as the subs bedded in but with the clock ticking down another superb forwards drive resulted in an eighth KCs try, Alex Baldwin the scorer this time, to wrap up the most convincing of wins.

This was almost the complete performance by a KCs side which is improving as a unit week by week, showing great conviction and self belief, and forward to a local derby at Droitwich on Saturday (2.15pm ko).