Bromsgrove 20 KC 22
KC with a workmanlike performance collected their seventh consecutive win on the trot, including a home walk-over, to maintain their second-place position in Midland Counties 1 West.
KC had seven changes from the previous week which does show the strength in depth of the squad. This contributed to it being another of the games where KC had a slow start. They spent the first 15 minutes defending valiantly, as Bromsgrove threw everything at the KC line. They came very close on several occasions only kept out by the solid last-ditch defence from KC.
On seventeen minutes KC made good territory into the Bromsgrove half and winning good ball on the opposition 22 spun the ball out to the left wing. Here George Lloyd-Jones beat two defenders and bounced through to score a good try, the conversion failed. As KC came into the game Alfie Smith and Ryan Wainwright had some penetrating runs into the Bromsgrove half.
Looking dangerous Bromsgrove scored a try with an overlap for their left winger. KC added a penalty to take the lead and go into half-time with a 8-7 lead.
KC then made good ground and had a period when their forwards pressurised the Bromsgrove line, the ball was eventually sent wide towards the left-hand touch and fed George Lloyd-Jones who used his strength to twist through the covering defence. This was his second try and Tom Dalton completed the conversion.
Bromsgrove were gaining good territory and came back with a good try of their own through the backs, this was unconverted but they soon gained a penalty to level the scores.
KC resisted further pressure from Bromsgrove, one notable feature was the safe lineout ball provided by Tom Kerrigan and Beau Archer. A feature of the KC play was their very effective tackling, particularly from Captain Ryan Wainwright and Nathan Ward.
KC regained the lead after winning possession on the Bromsgrove 22, they fed the ball to Chris Pinner, who with a good dummy beat two of the opposition and accelerated through the gap, crossing the line and sensibly running behind the defence to touchdown close to the posts. Tom Dalton converted to give KC a 22-15 lead with five minutes remaining.
Bromsgrove came alive and threw everything at the KC line, for a while they were held out and crucially could not score near the posts. Eventually they had a repeat of their first try with an overlap on their left wing and scoring wide out. Their conversion attempt failed leaving KC to defend for the two minutes remaining and take the win 22-20.
KC must be proud of their efforts, particularly the solid defence, against a well-drilled Bromsgrove team. It was a real team effort of which all players must be proud.

Bob Davies