Match report courtesy of Kevin Woodham

Kidderminster Carolians entertained Old Laurentians in the semi-final of the RFU Intermediate Cup (Midland Region), Old Laurentians kicked off but within 4 minutes KC’s took the lead, a loose defensive kick was gathered by Arthur Morgan who quickly transferred the ball to Andy McLellan who produced an excellent missed pass which was gathered by Ryan Tiene he then raced sixty metres to the try line leaving several defenders in his wake, the conversion attempt by Freddie Morgan just dropped short. This lead was soon increased when good scrummage ball was provided and swift ball was transferred left to Arthur Morgan who was eventually hauled down, a ruck set up by Russ Gauden provided quick ball for the backs to feed Ryan Tiene who raced over from 30 metres out to score his second try. The conversion failed. Old Laurentians quickly reduced the deficit by 3 points when the KC’s backs were adjudged offside in front of their own posts and the penalty kick was successful.

The next twenty minutes of the game Kidderminster were subjected to an enormous effort by Old Laurentians, especially their forwards, in spite of some determined tackling by KC’s the scores were soon level, a poor defensive clearance by Kidderminster resulted in a scrum, from this an effective ruck was set up and OL’s scored a try near the posts and the conversion was successful. With five minutes of the half remaining Old Laurentians were now in the ascendency and pressurising KC’s at every opportunity, another frantic defensive clearance went straight into the hands of the visitors left wing who raced into the corner for a try, the conversion failed and at half time Laurentians led by 5 points.

Within two minutes of the second half KC’s went further behind, a speculative “grubber kick” was blocked by an Old L’s forward, the ball sat up nicely, was gathered cleanly resulting in a try which was converted to increase the lead to 10-22. This set back seemed to spark the home side to life, a break by Rhys Pritchard was continued by Ryan Tiene who set up a ruck, this was overturned by OL’s, their clearance kick was poor and gathered by Arthur Morgan who selflessly passed to his brother Freddie to score in the corner, the conversion failed. From the kick-off the ball was superbly taken by Andy McLellan who gained ground before setting up a ruck, fast ball was delivered from this ruck and passed swiftly and accurately along the three quarters finally reaching Arthur Morgan who beat several covering defenders over the next 50 metres to score the try which was converted by Freddie Morgan to level the score at 22 points all. Soon after an offside decision was given against Kidderminster but the penalty kick from in front of the posts was missed.

This proved to be the last scoring opportunity for Old Laurentians, although Kidderminster had a player yellow carded and were down to 14 players for a ten minute period, their tackling, aggression and commitment was excellent resulting in a penalty being awarded to them with 3 minutes of the match remaining, this penalty was confidently kicked over by Freddie Morgan to give Kidderminster the lead by 25 points to 22, a lead they were in no mood to surrender and they played the final minutes out to secure the result.

It is pleasing to note that the victory was obtained because of the positive attitude of all eighteen players in the match day squad and they are all to be congratulated. The reward for KC's is a Midlands Final away to Kenilworth on Saturday 16th March after they beat Olny RFC 36-17

Kidderminster Carolians RFC

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