Harborne 24 KC 44
KC mad
This game was played on a very wet muddy pitch that KC never adjusted to; in fact they dropped the ball on the first five times they tried to attack. By contrast Harborne adapted quicker to the conditions and a very slippery ball.
Whilst the final scoreline looked acceptable the KC performance was flat, playing in fits and starts. Maybe KC felt overconfident after looking at Harborne’s league position at the foot of the table, without a win; certainly the way they played belied their record. Harborne opened the scoring when they made a break on the halfway line and sent the ball through their three-quarters to score under the posts and convert.
Handling errors were holding back KC who spent most of the first 15 minutes in their own half. The first foray into the Harborne half came with a good break by Malcolm Herbert. This was followed up with effective work from the forwards close to the line and the right-hand touch, Harvey Kelsall making the try. KC pressure earned them a penalty and from the good work by the forwards, player of the match John Barratt scored an unconverted try.
The first half ended with further penalties to each side, Jack O’Hagan scoring for Kidderminster, and a score of 10-13 to KC, although some of the liveliest rugby came from Harborne in this first period.
KC picked themselves up after half-time with a terrific move initiated by George Tildesley and George Lloyd Jones for Jack Dayus to round the defence and score under the posts, Jack O’Hagan making the conversion. The KC scored a try from good work from George Lloyd Jones and Simon Clarke which was finished by the supporting Tom Dalton. The next KC score came from George Tildesley, making a solo run from 70 metres to outpace the defence and gain the bonus point try, Tom Dalton making the conversion.
KC were now playing better and making their presence felt as Chris Pinner , Tom Dalton and George Tildesley combined to feed Malcolm Herbert to finish with a great run round the defence. Tom Dalton added the conversion.
Lack of concentration gave Harborne room to score a converted try following a break from the halfway line. KC replied with a positive move through the forwards from the halfway line which was taken on by George Lloyd Jones for Jake Perks to make the try.
Just when KC expected the final whistle another concentration lapse allowed Harborne to make a break and get a converted try to take the final score to Harborne 24 – 44 KC, this last try was a just reward for Harborne as they kept going to the end.
KC must ensure that they get into gear from the off, a good opposition side could have been out of sight before KC woke up.
Bob Davies