Kidderminster Carolians RFC suffered another narrow defeat in their second league fixture of the season, and were punished for a slow start to the game at Walsall, although a bonus point for scoring four tries was some consolation.
Walsall dominated the early play, winning ball at scrums and lineouts with ease. KCs looked dangerous with the limited amount of possession they had, but unforced errors brought their attacks to a halt. Walsall moved into a 15 nil lead in the first 30 minutes, with two tries and a penalty, before KCs really threatened. A sustained period of pressure forced the home side into conceding penalties, but KCs lost possession and Walsall counter-attacked to score a further try. During first half injury time KCs won a scrum in the Walsall half, and a blindside break by scrum half Chris Pinner created space for Arthur Morgan to use his pace and beat the defence for a try under the posts, converted by Pinner. Walsall led 22 points to 7 at half time.
KCs scored again through Arthur Morgan early in the second half, again converted, but Walsall restored their advantage when some poor tackling allowed their centre to break out from his own half and score under the posts.
KCs rallied again and started to win more possession midway through the half, which, coupled with good defence from Chris May-Miller, Mike Protheroe and Jess Smith kept Walsall under pressure. Morgan again used his pace to beat his man on the outside to complete his hat-trick, to make the score 29 – 19 in Walsall’s favour. They increased their lead with a further penalty, but KCs held the upper hand in the closing stages.
Smith scored the bonus point try after a strong run direct from a scrum, and with time running out Rob Phillips burst through in the middle of the field to start a final attack, with clever inter-passing between forwards and backs. However, Walsall managed to hold firm and deny KCs a try, to give them victory by 32 points to 24.
KCs entertain Cleobury Mortimer RFC at Marlpool Lane this Saturday, with a 3:00pm kick off, when they will be hoping to claim their first league win of the season. They have been drawn away to Old Yardleians in the 2nd round of the RFU Intermediate Cup the following week (7th October).