Late try burst seals Kidderminster Carolians' defeat at Old Salts

KIDDERMINSTER Carolians lost a hard fought game to second-placed Old Saltieians in the Midlands Division Two West (North).

KCs knew they would be in for a tough afternoon and their task was made even harder by the absence of five established first team forwards.

Both sides created chances but it was Old Salts who opened the scoring with an unconverted try.

Chris Pinner tucked a penalty away but the home side restored their five point advantage when they scored a kick of their own.

A stray pass allowed Kidderminster's rivals to go on the attack and after a series of unforced errors allowed Salts to score a second try.

Kidderminster hit back and good work by brothers Freddie and George Morgan allowed another member of the Morgan clan, Arthur, to score in the corner and make the score 15-8.

Carolians were beginning to gain the upper hand and from ruck ball under the posts after another five metre lineout, scrum half Pinner feinted to go wide but instead slipped a short pass inside to Layton Wilkinson who powered.

Pinner added the conversion to level the scores midway through the half.

With a quarter of an hour left to play, the hosts took a 22-15 lead with a converted try.

Straight from the re-start KCs flanker Mike Protheroe was yellow carded for taking a player out in the air and the visitors came under immediate pressure.

Another converted effort sealed Kidderminster's defeat.

KCs had Simon Clarke and Pinner both being shown yellow cards in the closing moments and they were denied the losing bonus point which their overall performance probably merited.

Kidderminster Carolians face another stiff challenge on Saturday (2.15pm start) when they entertain Yardleians who are just one place and two points behind them.