Match report courtesy of Kevin Woodham

Kidderminster Carolians travelled to Camp Hill to contest the 4th round of the RFU Intermediate Cup, the early exchanges suggesting it would be a difficult afternoon, within five minutes of the kick-off Camp Hill won a line out on the KC’s 22 metre line and a powerful driving maul produced a try which was converted to give them a lead 0-7. This lead was reduced to 3-7 with a penalty from Freddie Morgan awarded for a deliberate knock on by Camp Hill.

Mid way through the first half, after a scrappy period of play by both sides, Tom Maher won an excellent line out and was driven over the line for a try converted by Morgan giving Kiddeminster the lead 8-7, this lead was increased to 15-7 when a dropped ball on the Kidderminster 22 yard line was snapped up by Freddie Morgan who sprinted 80 yards to score under the posts he also added the conversion points. Within minutes Camp Hill struck back, an attack down the short side caused confusion in the KC’s defence and a try was scored in the corner, an excellent conversion from the touchline reduced Kidderminster’s lead to one point, from the kick-off a speculative kick into “no mans land” was allowed to bounce, this was gathered by Camp Hill who scored in the opposite corner, the conversion was successful and the lead changed hands Camp Hill now led 15-21, however, this lead was short lived, just before half time an excellent drive from the line out was held up over the line, from the ensuing scrum KC’s were awarded a penalty which was taken quickly and run wide allowing the excellent Tom Mayer to score near the posts, Morgan added the conversion and Kidderminster led 22-21 at half time.

Within 5 minutes of the restart the lead was increased to 29-21, a fluent passing movement by Kidderminster resulted in a line out which was won by Tom Mayer, once again a powerful driving maul took him over the line for a try converted by Freddie Morgan. KC’s were now showing their superior fitness, a swift three quarter movement was halted when Camp Hill were penalised, the penalty was quickly taken and Jess Smith crashed over from 15 metres out with a number of defenders hanging off him, Freddie Morgan converted this try the score moving to 36-21. Mid way through the second half Camp Hill attempted a quick penalty deep in the KC’s half, this was overturned by Kidderminster the ball passing from Freddie Morgan to Rhys Pritchard to Jack Tunstall on to Alex Royall and finally to Ryan Tiene who touched down for an excellent team try converted by Freddie Morgan. The score now stood at 43-21.

With 15 minutes of the game remaining Kidderminster were reduced to 14 men when Jess Smith was “sin binned”, this appeared to galvanise Camp Hill and during this period they scored two tries, one of them converted this reduced the deficit to 10 points i.e. 43-23. With about 6 minutes of the match remaining Kidderminster stepped up a gear, turn over ball was taken by Lee Wilkes, he fed second row Simon Clark who sprinted over from thirty yards out, Morgan again added the conversion, the score moved to 50-33, this was swiftly increased when Jess Smith, now back on, made a powerful run and passed to Rhys Pritchard who scored , Morgan adding another 2 points increasing the score to 57-33. From the kick-off the ball was well taken by Captain Mike Protheroe, it went through several pairs of hands before reaching Ryan Tiene, he made a half break before feeding Arthur Morgan who stepped beautifully past his opposite number to score in the corner, the conversion failed, the final whistle went and Kidderminster had won by 62 points to 33.

From a rather shaky start this became a resounding victory, all 18 players who took the field playing their part to the full. Congratulations and well done to you all.

Back to the League next week away at Southam.