On another wet,miserable afternoon it was KC’s who enjoyed a Happy New Year as they eventually overcame a very able Malvern side in this RFU Intermediate Cup 3rd Round clash at an unusually muddy Marlpool Lane.
The visitors started confidently but the home side soon got into their stride with the three Morgan brothers looking particularly threatening and following a penetrating burst by outside centre Arthur space was created for right wing Josh Winfield to go over at the corner and scrum half Chris Pinner’s terrific conversion put KC’s 7-0 ahead with nine minutes on the clock.
Any thoughts of a comfortable afternoon were,however,quickly dispelled as just four minutes later Malvern struck back from a lineout on Kidder’s 22,setting up a rolling maul which proved unstoppable as they drove all the way to the line for a classic forwards try.Then,with twenty minutes played a clearance kick bounced kindly for the chasing Malvern player to put them on the front foot again and some fluent phases were finished off by second row Grant Fraser who went round under the posts to give centre Ben King a simple conversion for a 12-7 lead.
In this ding-dong encounter it was KC’s turn to score next as No 12 George Morgan ran in from outside the 22 for the equalising try which Pinner improved to nudge the hosts back in front 14-12 and both sides continued to look dangerous in possession,playing some remarkably entertaining handling rugby despite the worsening conditions,but ten minutes before halftime it was Kidder who made the important breakthrough with a third try.A kick ahead struck a post pad and the ensuing melee resulted in a five metre scrum for the home side which had to be re-set but at the second time of asking Pinner darted under the posts and the skipper’s conversion gave the home side some breathing space at 21-12.
Almost immediately afterwards Malvern kicked a penalty to touch fifteen metres out and tried to repeat the manoeuvre which brought them their first try but this time Kidder were better prepared and defended the drive well before clearing their lines and they finished the half on top,almost scoring again with the last play when, following a surging burst by prop Matt Rigsby,the forwards and backs combined to create an opening only to be thwarted by a forward pass.
The start of the second period was just as competitive as the first half had been and on several occasions KC’s had to rely on the trusty left boot of fullback Andy McLellan to keep the visitors at bay.A Malvern knock on in midfield did give the hosts a glimmer of a breakaway chance but they could not take advantage and then had to withstand a spell of Malvern pressure as they kept possession really well during a fine passage of play but Kidder held firm and midway through the half they got their reward.A naïve Malvern offside offence gave KC’s the option of a scrum fifteen metres from the visitors’ line and they made the most of the opportunity to send George Morgan over for his second try which Pinner again improved with his fourth successful conversion
Although now trailing 28-12 and needing three scores to win,Malvern were still by no means out of the game and five minutes later they really should have scored when they seized on a loose ball on halfway and raced into the 22 but King cut back into traffic and was wrapped up when he had men to spare outside and the chance was lost.A Malvern scrum ten metres out then looked menacing but great work on the floor by flanker Mike Protheroe at the breakdown which followed saw the danger cleared.
In the Stygian gloom the two teams were becoming virtually indistinguishable until the referee consented to a Kidder change of shirts and the visitors continued to test their defence to the full with a series of scrums and lineouts in their 22 but the home side kept their discipline and finished the match strongly.From a lineout thirty metres out earned by another eye catching Rigsby carry Pinner broke clear into Malvern’s 22 and the ruck ball was quickly recycled to McLellan who kicked crossfield for Winfield.The winger was beaten to the ball but the hack into touch by the Malvern defender brought to an end what had been a thoroughly enjoyable cup tie which was a credit to both sides.
KC’s return to league action next week with a trip to Stourbridge Lions for a much anticipated derby – KO 2.15 pm.