Kidderminster Carolians RFC started their Midlands 2 West (South) League campaign with a well deserved victory at their Marlpool Lane ground. Kidderminster Carolians, playing with the benefit of a strong wind in the first half, found themselves under pressure right from the kick off with Cheltenham North scoring an unconverted try after only 2 minutes through a well rehearsed catch and drive from a line out close to the home side’s try line.

It took Kidderminster Carolians 5 minutes to settle down and use the benefit of the windy conditions and keep play in the Cheltenham half. From loose play Andy McLellan took the ball and kicked cleverly ahead for Club Captain, John Mounter, to gather a kind bounce and sprint to the try line for Kidderminster Carolians 1st try which was converted by Andy McLellan to make the score line 7 – 5.

Andy McLellan, Club Sponsor’s (Hillandale Caravans) Man of the Match, then used his experience and took fully advantage of the windy conditions to keep Cheltenham North pinned in their own half. In the 14th minute Carolians winger Will Varley won a sprint to collect the ball from a well judged kick ahead towards the right wing corner; Varley was held up close to the Cheltenham North line but managed to pass the ball to 2nd Row, Ewan Thompson in close support who scored Kidderminster Carolians second try to extend their lead to a well deserved 12 –5.

The pressure Kidderminster Carolians put on the Cheltenham North side saw 2 penalties being awarded which were converted by Andy McLellan to make the score line at half time 18 – 5.

The 2nd half saw Kidderminster Carolians continue to dominate possession and after only 2 minutes Andy McLellan stretched the home sides lead to 21 – 5 converting his third penalty. Despite having the advantage of the strong wind it took Cheltenham North some 10 minutes into the second half before they entered the Kidderminster Carolians half with any meaning.

Carolians made two substitutions after 18 minutes but these changes did not affect their domination, and after some great play by Charles Lloyd Jones the ball ended up in the backs and Nick Martin was held up close to the Cheltenham line; there followed a period of intense pressure with the home side’s pack dominating possession which culminated in a well worked (but unconverted) try scored by Richard Sollom on the left wing to take the score to 26 – 5 after 30 minutes of the second half.

The final 10 minutes of the match saw Cheltenham put pressure on Kidderminster Carolians and despite strong defence Cheltenham scored their second try which was converted to make the final score line 26 – 12.

This was a thoroughly well deserved victory for the Marlpool Lane side that had a performed strongly throughout the side. Kidderminster Carolians will now travel to Newbold on Avon on Saturday for their second league fixture.