This local derby against newly promoted Cleobury,played in a persistent heavy drizzle throughout, saw KC’s register their first win of the new campaign in Mids 2 West (N) at the third time of asking but it was a very close run thing with the result in doubt right up to the final whistle.
KC’s first foray into Cleobury’s 22 won them a penalty which was kicked to touch and from the lineout a series of forwards drives put the visitors under pressure, causing them to knock on and concede a five metre scrum from which No 8 Jess Smith picked up at the back and powered over for the opening try, converted by skipper Chris Pinner to give the home side a 7-0 lead with just six minutes on the clock.
Cleobury responded well, putting together some concerted attacks and after kicking a penalty to within ten metres they set up an unstoppable lineout drive to crash over the whitewash and their scrumhalf Hayden Edwards added the conversion to level the scores with just under a quarter of an hour played.

KC’s were then caught in possession trying to run the ball out of defence but fortunately for them a Cleobury kick into the unguarded in goal area went dead and from the scrum back the hosts were able to clear their lines. Undeterred,the visitors continued to take the game to Kidder and it took a fine kick by fullback Freddie Morgan to temporarily relieve the pressure. Cleobury were , however, not to be denied and a quickly taken penalty thirty metres out resulted in a goal kicking opportunity when KC’s failed to retreat ten metres and Edwards slotted the kick from just outside the 22.

It was then Kidder’s turn to respond, winning two penalties in quick succession and from the second a well struck kick by Pinner split the posts to level the scores again at 10-10 four minutes from the interval. With the last play of the half Cleobury set up another lineout drive from a five metre throw but this time the home side were better prepared and forced them into touch to leave the match all square with everything to play for.
KC’s started the second period the better of the two teams and after five minutes a crooked Cleobury throw fifteen metres from their own line put them in trouble when they offended at the resulting scrum and Pinner knocked over the penalty.

Two minutes later some quick thinking by Freddie Morgan when Kidder were awarded another penalty deep in their own half ultimately proved to be decisive. Cleobury clearly expected the fullback to kick for touch but instead he took a quick tap to himself and with most of the visitors having their backs to the play the ball was swiftly moved right to his brother Arthur and the winger raced away to score at the corner and open up an 18-10 lead which left Cleobury needing two scores to win.

They duly proceeded to throw the kitchen sink at Kidder and ten minutes later they reduced the arrears to a single point when replacement John Hulland plunged over from a tap penalty five metres out and Edwards added the extras with a low skidder which just cleared the bar to set up a tense last quarter.

The next Cleobury threat came when a loose KC’s pass in centre midfield was hacked into their 22 and it needed some scrambling defence to get back and clear the danger into touch.From the lineout the visitors enjoyed more good possession until the greasy ball was knocked on and then a grubber kick to the left corner posed yet more danger but once again the touchline came to Kidder’s rescue. They were really up against it,not helping their cause by losing a couple of their own lineouts and kicking a penalty dead when trying to find touch, and had a real let off when they were penalised for coming in at the side of a ruck on their 22 but Edwards’ shot at goal missed by the narrowest of margins.
KC’s continued to heap pressure on themselves by kicking away possession when they had a knock on advantage and Cleobury looked certain to score with men over on the right but were thwarted by a high tackle and could make nothing of the resultant penalty. A combination of brave defence and good fortune saw the hosts somehow hang on to their slender advantage until with the clock in the red zone they were able to boot the ball off the park, much to the relief of their anxious supporters.

Over the whole eighty minutes the visitors were arguably the better side in a game of fine margins and could justifiably feel a little aggrieved at picking up only a consolation losing bonus point but KC’s will take the win and look to kick on from here, starting next week with a 2nd round RFU Intermediate Cup tie at Old Yardleians.