Match report courtesy of Kevin Woodham

Kidderminster travelled to Kenilworth to contest the Midlands Final of the RFU Intermediate Cup, within seven minutes of the kick-off KC’s took the lead when a solid scrum delivered quick ball, this was transferred to the blind side and Arthur Morgan beat his opposite number to score wide out, the conversion attempt failed. The lead was short lived, Kenilworth took a quick penalty which stretched the Kidderminster defence, the combination of this and some very weak tackling produced a converted try and Kenilworth led 5-7. Mid way through the first half KC’s had an opportunity to regain the lead from a penalty, unfortunately the 40 yard kick for goal was missed. Some excellent kicking by Andy McLellan produced good field position, however this was negated by a succession of penalties against KC’s allowing the opposition to relieve the pressure they were under. At this stage of the game Kidderminster’s game management went astray and at least two scoring opportunities were missed through ill discipline and careless basic skills. The half time score remained at 5-7.

From the second half kick-off KC’s attempted to run the ball out of defence, a knock on produced a scrum to Kenilworth, at the scrum Kidderminster were penalised and Kenilworth’s kick at goal was successful increasing their lead to 5-10. There followed a 15 minute period where Kidderminster were camped on their own line under enormous pressure but their defence held firm until a break through the middle by Chris May Miller was halted ten metres out from the Kenilworth line, from the resultant scrum KC’s went through 5 phases of play before Arthur Morgan was bundled into touch at the corner flag. Kenilworth used the strong wind in their favour to keep the opposition penned in their own half, sadly another bout “soft penalties” by KC’s prevented them from relieving this pressure thus allowing Kenilworth to increase the score to 5-15 with a try in the corner. With two minutes remaining Kidderminster won a scrum 5 metres from their own line, a powerful drive by Jess Smith took the ball some twenty metres before he passed to Ryan Tiene who raced 75 metres past the cover defence to score an excellent consolation try, the conversion failed. Kenilworth carefully wound the clock down to record victory by 10 points to 15.

A disappointing result for Kidderminster, however they did create enough chances to win the game, sadly if you concede 21 penalties the task becomes harder, especially against a good side like Kenilworth.