KC’s hosted Tamworth from Mids 2 West (N) and eventually ran out comfortable winners, outscoring their counterparts by nine tries to three, but not without a few alarms along the way.

With almost ten minutes played, Tamworth’s first attack of note from a lineout inside KC’s 22 ended with them conceding the first points as they were robbed of the ball and fullback Andy McLellan led a breakout which was rounded off by No 6 Rob Phillips side stepping two defenders before putting in Rich Sollum who had come in off his wing to support the move. Alex Baldwin and Tom Maher then broke from a scrum to set up a ruck in the visitors’ 22 and when the ball went left Jake Evetts was almost in at the corner but the next score was not long coming as Jack Tunstall stole a Tamworth lineout to give Kidder more possession and good handling by backs and forwards saw Phillips go over. Flyhalf Chris Pinner, skipper for the day in the absence of Rob Delahay, converted and KC’s had a 12-0 lead after quarter of an hour.

Tamworth responded with some concerted attacking phases after winning turnover ball and were rewarded with a penalty in the shadow of KC’s posts. They opted for a scrum but lost the ball and from a lightning counter attack by the hosts Phillips looked likely to go over again until an ankle tap saved the day for the visitors. Nonetheless,Kidder’s high tempo,mobility and support play were stretching Tamworth and they cracked again on the half hour mark. From a five metre scrum KC’s twice drove for the line to draw in the fringe defence before releasing the ball to the backs and centre Rhys Pritchard,running a good line,cut through for a clinical try which Pinner improved. Just two minutes later the home side launched another backs attack from deep and McLellan, coming into the line time after time, chipped over the last defender before dropping on the ball for another converted try and a 26-0 advantage. Tamworth were in danger of being overwhelmed but struck back defiantly with a try under the posts, duly converted, and at halftime were not completely out of the game at 26-7.

KC’s started the second period a little sloppily but after ten minutes got back on track with another Phillips’ try.A marauding burst by the Baldwin twins and Tunstall caused the visitors more problems and although they cleared the immediate danger they conceded again from KC’s lineout on halfway.Pinner found a good touch and Kidder pinched Tamworth’s throw to drive on towards the line before going right and Sollum spotted a gap to dart over for his second try.Now ahead 36-7,KC’s were cruising but midway through the half a spirited Tamworth side staged a comeback with two converted tries in as many minutes.

Firstly they ran back a KC’s clearance kick to win a penalty in front of the posts which was quickly taken and they squeezed over at the right hand corner. The difficult conversion just cleared the bar and encouraged by this success the visitors promptly ran in a very good long range try through a rather spread-eagled Kidder defence to score under the posts.The conversion reduced the deficit to 36-21 and KC’s needed to up their game ,which they did with three tries in the last ten minutes, all converted by Pinner. McLellan burst through a ruck on Tamworth’s ten metre line to create a chance for Tom Maher who was denied by a fine tackle just short of the line but KC’s were awarded a penalty and from the tap kick Tunstall plunged over. A long Pinner kick downfield was then fielded by Tamworth who only found Phillips rather than touch and the blindside’s run down the left wing exposed the tiring visitors who were left short of numbers when the ball was moved right and with a three man overlap Pritchard strolled over for his second try. Kidder could now afford to finish off with a spell of champagne rugby and centre Laurence Hughes ran in from forty metres for the final try although, despite the margin of defeat, Tamworth could nevertheless take a good deal of credit for the part they played in an entertaining game.

KC’s return to League action on 13th April with a home fixture against Shipston on Stour.