This crucial local derby bonus point win played out in front of a large,voluble crowd saw KC’s not only increase their advantage over bottom club Cleobury to five points but also climb two places into ninth spot in Mids 2 West (N) above Old Salts and Newcastle (Staffs),both of whom they now head by two points.
Kidder kicked off with the considerable slope in their favour and dominated both territory and possession in the early skirmishes before taking the lead with fifteen minutes on the clock.After skipper Chris Pinner had kicked a penalty to Cleobury’s 22 KC’s forwards set up a lineout drive which took them to within five metres and then,following a couple of rucks,they worked the short side to find Mike Protheroe in space and the flanker went over unchallenged wide out on the right.
The home side responded by pegging KC’s back for the first time and although they were initially repelled by a strong run out of defence by No 8 Neil Mason and then a terrific hit by the same player a charged down kick in their own 22 put Kidder back in trouble and when they were caught offside in front of their posts Cleobury’s No 13 knocked over the penalty from twenty metres to get them on the board.
An excellent touch kick by the outside centre then took play back to KC’s 22 but the visitors still appeared to carry more of an attacking threat and after second row Jess Smith had made valuable yards to earn a penalty on halfway they opted for a scrum in centrefield which proved to be a good decision as scrumhalf Freddie Morgan made a penetrating break from the set piece before feeding his brother Arthur and the winger cantered over for Carolians’ second try and a 10-3 lead.
Kidder,however,did not deal with the re-start and also began to concede too many penalties which enabled the hosts to soon hit back with a second well struck shot at goal by their No 13,this time from 25 metres.
Nonetheless,KC’s still looked the more dangerous side with ball in hand and blindside Rob Phillips,Smith and left wing Ryan Tiene all made telling runs before Freddie Morgan and Tiene combined to create another clear chance for Arthur Morgan only for the final pass to be adjudged marginally forward.
Not to be denied,on the stroke of halftime fullback Mike Humphreys ran a Cleobury clearance kick back at them before linking with Freddie Morgan and Mason and when the No 8 was brought down in the shadow of the posts the ball was recycled for lock Rhys Kay to crash over at the foot of a post and Pinner’s conversion extended the advantage from four points to a much healthier looking 17-6.
KC’s began the second half in spectacular fashion as despite weakly patting back Cleobury’s kick off straight to their No 5 to give them an immediate attacking opportunity an interception by Humphreys sparked a counter from deep which was taken on by Arthur Morgan who in turn sent centre Tom Maher in under the posts for a bonus point fourth try,converted by Pinner,with less than sixty seconds played.
Seven minutes later a terrific effort by Kidder’s forwards shoved Cleobury off their own ball at a scrum on the hosts’ ten metre line and Freddie Morgan went right before working a switch move with his brother with a lovely sleight of hand pass and Arthur initially ran infield prior to arcing back outside to outflank the cover and touch down at the corner for a really top class try.
Two minutes later,and still only ten minutes into the half,KC’s were brought crashing back to earth when Mason was red carded for a dangerous clear out at a ruck and although now leading 29-6 the visitors faced a testing last half hour playing up the slope with only fourteen men.The dismissal gave the home side renewed hope and a way back into the match and it did not take them long to cash in as they pressurised a Kidder scrum on their own five metre line and whilst playing a penalty advantage their scrumhalf darted over for their first try,which their No 13 converted.
Things became even more nervy for the visitors when they should have kicked the ball off the park but instead hung onto it and were penalised for not releasing.Unsurprisingly,with their numerical forwards advantage Cleobury opted for a scrum but when Kidder then infringed again the hosts ran the ball and their No 8 burst clear to score.The conversion attempt came back off the far post but with their lead down to eleven points at 29-18 it was going to be a long last quarter for the visitors.They needed to dig deep and with the outstanding Protheroe at the forefront they showed great character and resilience to hold out until the very last minute when a spilled kick fell nicely for Cleobury’s No 10 to touch down and pick up a losing bonus point but at the end of the day this was a hugely important,perhaps season defining,win for Kidderminster.
Next week KC’s entertain Spartans (Midlands) - KO 2.15 pm.