This second round tie in the RFU Intermediate Cup between two teams who play at the same level and are both going well in their respective leagues had the makings of a tight encounter but in the event an impressive KC’s performance saw them win surprisingly comfortably as they ran in six tries without reply.
In wet and greasy conditions they opened their account after only five minutes when a Spartans scrum on their own ten metre line was disrupted and No 8 Layton Wilkinson made valuable yards before the ball was spread left and centre George Morgan went over.Just two minutes later the visitors had a chance to hit back but their fullback missed a simple penalty opportunity and Kidder then began to take the game by the scruff of the neck.Some excellent passages of play were initially well defended until KC’s won turnover ball on halfway and a strong run by Morgan was halted at the expense of a penalty which was quickly taken by scrumhalf Chris Pinner who linked with his forwards and Wilkinson appeared to have scored but was adjudged to have been held up.The five metre scrum had to be set twice but at the second time of asking Morgan got himself involved at the ensuing ruck and again crossed the whitewash for a 10-0 lead midway through the half.
The home side continued to look dangerous and with the interval approaching Morgan and his brother Freddie,playing at No 10,combined well to take play deep into Spartans territory.A knock on gave the visitors brief respite but at the scrum five metres out KC’s shoved them off the ball and Wilkinson picked up to power over and extend the lead to 15-0.
At the break Kidder could reflect on a very satisfactory first forty minutes in which they had dominated proceedings with safe as houses player coach Andy McLellan directing play from his fullback position and using his boot to good effect,the forwards scrummaging well,the lineout stealing throws largely due to the exploits of man of the match Chris Baldwin and the backs always looking to put the ball through the hands despite the inclement weather.
Two minutes into the second half KC’s gained possession from a five metre lineout and quick ball from four rucks created space for right wing Josh Winfield to cross for a fourth try.Arthur Morgan then came on as a replacement left wing to join his two brothers on the field and made an immediate impact with a crunching tackle which won Kidder a lineout on Spartans 22.The danger was cleared but soon after Pinner launched an attack from deep and the latest player off the Morgan production line showed great pace up the left touchline before switching the ball inside and his two brothers continued the move which long serving Tom Maher finished off with Pinner adding the extras.
Ahead 27-0 with half an hour still to play,KC’s were on easy street but in the rain,which was now incessant,they understandably made a handling error on halfway and Spartans hacked the loose ball downfield.A try looked almost certain but Winfield covered across brilliantly from his wing to boot the ball to safety and following the resultant five metre scrum Kidder had to show their defensive mettle for the first time in the match.They conceded a string of penalties close to their line but their defence was unbreachable and in the closing stages they took the game back to the opposition to manufacture a huge overlap which they were unable to capitalise on owing to an unfortunate knock on,entirely excusable in the fast deteriorating conditions.However,in the enveloping gloom a penetrating kick by Pinner was followed up by George Morgan who displayed good footballing skills to send the ball into the in goal area and he won the foot race to touch down for his hat-trick try which wrapped up an emphatic victory.
KC’s return to league action next week when they travel to Old Saltleians – KO 2.15 pm