KCRFC 1st XV v Bournville (H) – Saturday 30th August

KC’s 36 Bournville 29

After scheduled opponents Nant Conwy of Swalec Division 1 North were unable to travel due to unforeseen circumstances,KC’s coaching staff wrapped up their pre-season preparations by taking the opportunity to test their level seven squad against higher opposition with the visit of National 3 Midlands side Bournville who in recent years have progressed from level ten to level five in the rugby union pyramid.
The match was split into a first half of two separate twenty minute periods with an unbroken second forty minutes and the visitors struck the first blow after only four minutes with an interception try by their outside centre from KC’s ten metre line but Kidder quickly responded with a try by fullback Jordan Hatch and the first quarter ended with the sides level at 5-5.
Four minutes after the restart Bournville put in a high cross kick to the left corner and won the aerial duel to touch down for a try which was converted to put them ahead 12-5 but KC’s hit back with tries by left wing Dean Hodson and No 8 Rob Phillips,both converted by Sam Taylor,to establish a 19-12 lead.
On the stroke of halftime Freddie Morgan picked up a loose ball on halfway and ran in KC’s fourth try and Taylor again added the extras to extend Kidder’s advantage to 26-12.
At the start of the second half Bournville came hard at KC’s but the hosts were very resilient in defence until after a quarter of an hour the visitors got in at the right corner to reduce the deficit to 26-17.KC’s responded in style with a second try for Hatch after good hands from a ruck under Bournville’s posts and lock Chris Baldwin quickly added another five points when fed by brother Alex to stretch the lead to 36-17.In the closing stages Bourneville scored a try under the posts,duly converted,and on the final whistle created an overlap on the left wing to run in an easy try but KC’s had already done enough to register a deserved win.
This was a very encouraging performance by KC’s against a side who play two divisions above them and will send them full of confidence into their first competitive game of the season on Saturday at home to Shrewsbury in the North Mids Shield.