Match report courtesy of Brian Pinner....

KCRFC registered their first league win of the season with a dominant second half display to defeat local rivals Stourbridge in front of a large Vice Presidents’ Day crowd.

The home side featured seven changes to the side that started last week’s match, with James Lloyd Jones returning to the club after a number of seasons playing higher up the leagues with Bromsgrove.

Stourbridge started the game in positive fashion, retaining possession through a number of phases, but the solid KCs’ defence held firm until they conceded a penalty in front of the posts after 7 minutes, which was converted to give Stourbridge a 3 – 0 lead.  The game became a little scrappy at this point, with both sides guilty of making unforced errors.  However KCs gained the upper hand after some well-placed kicks had pinned Stourbridge in their own half.  From an attacking line out on the Stourbridge 22 metre line the KCs pack drove forward 20 metres, and after securing possession from a ruck Alex Baldwin crashed over for the first try of the game, converted by Chris Pinner for a 7 – 3 advantage after 18 minutes.

From the resulting kick off KCs tried to run the ball out of defence, but a dropped pass put them under pressure.  Stourbridge controlled possession for a number of phases but KCs’ defence again held out until the pressure finally told and Stourbridge bulldozed over for try, subsequently converted, to regain the lead. A yellow card was shown to fullback Andy McLellan after the try was scored, and this caused problems a few minutes later when Stourbridge kicked long out of defence. Josh Winfield chased back to secure the ball, but was penalised at the ensuing ruck and Stourbridge opted for a line out 5 metres from the KCs line.  The home defence resisted the initial drive, but were penalised again when the maul was brought down illegally, resulting in another yellow card, this time for Nathan Small.  Despite some brave tackling from the 13 remaining players the numerical advantage finally paid off for Stourbridge and they scored their second try to lead by 15 points to 7 after 34 minutes. There was no further scoring before half time, and KCs were facing an uphill battle in the second half if they were going to get anything out of the match.

Their cause became more difficult early in the second period when Stourbridge kicked a 40 metre penalty to increase their lead, but KCs the started to work their way back into the game, winning vital turnover ball at rucks and forcing Stourbridge onto the back foot.  They took a quick tap penalty on half way and fast handling from the backs put right wing Winfield into space.  His break was halted just short of the line, but a good offload to Rhys Pritchard, and a similar pass to McLellan, created a second try, converted by Pinner, to close the gap to 14 – 18.  Straight from the kick off KCs again moved the ball at pace across the back line, and an overlap was created for left wing Will Varley.  He scampered down the wing, and as the cover defence came across he spotted a gap, changed the angle of his run and used his pace to sprint in for an excellent try, again converted by Pinner.  KCs had scored 14 points in little more than 3 minutes, to take a 21 – 18 lead, and Stourbridge were now reeling.

With 30 minutes still remaining the game could have gone either way, but KCs stuck to a simple game plan, retained possession and kicked well for field position.  Strong runs from forwards Rob Delahay, Tom Maher and the Baldwin twins kept KCs moving forward, and James Lloyd Jones used his power in the backs to get behind the gain line on a number of occasions to give his side an attacking platform.

Stourbridge attacked at every opportunity as they tried to regain the lead, but solid tackling and good discipline kept them at bay.  After 28 minutes of the half KCs were awarded a penalty 30 metres out and Pinner slotted over the kick to give them a 6 point lead.  Further KCs pressure, with a series of short bursts close to the breakdown, stretched the tiring Stourbridge defence and resulted in a bonus point fourth try, scored out wide by George Morgan.  With six minutes of normal time remaining KCs now led 29 – 18, but Stourbridge refused to lie down.  They raised their game again, stealing line-out possession and attacking from all parts of the field.  Varley and Lloyd Jones made vital tackles that saved possible tries, and with time running out the KCs forwards drove play down the field.  However, Stourbridge retained possession and counter-attacked down the blind side with players in support and scored their third try, with what was the last play of the game, to make the final score 29 points to 23 points for a well-deserved KCs victory.

The second half performance reminded the supporters, and players, of what KCs are capable of when they maintain their discipline and play together as a team.  They will need more of the same next week when they take on unbeaten Veseyans at Marlpool Lane (3pm kick off).