Second in the table Barkers Butts took only three minutes to underline the threat posed by their backs when they created an overlap in their very first attack and their left wing ran in an easy try which,despite a tricky wind,was excellently converted from the touchline by their outside centre.From the restart the hosts were soon back on the attack and when KC’s failed to find touch with a penalty kick the ball was moved right for another try,again impressively converted.
Trailing 14-0 inside seven minutes and with a whole front row missing,KC’s looked to be in for a daunting afternoon but five minutes later they showed that they were not prepared to lie down when a catch and drive had Barkers on the retreat and scrumhalf Chris Pinner darted round the blindside of the resulting ruck for a try which he converted himself.
Having steadied the ship,KC’s were able to keep Barkers at arms length for the next quarter of an hour until an obstruction offence twenty five metres in front of their posts gave the hosts’ No 13 his easiest kick at goal so far.Surprisingly,his effort hit a post and even though the loose ball was knocked on by Kidder they were able to clear their lines when Butts were penalised at the scrum.KC’s would have settled for a seven point deficit at the break but with the last kick of the half another well struck Butts penalty into the wind saw Kidder 17-7 behind at the interval.
Barkers restart was knocked on by KC’s and they were under the cosh for a full ten minutes before the home side’s left wing broke through his opposite number’s tackle for their third try.Another three pointer extended Barkers lead to 25-7 with half an hour still left to play and Kidder were struggling to get out of the shadow of their own posts but they made changes and with ten minutes to play a couple of breakouts led by Rob Delahay at last saw them go through some phases to take them into Barkers 22.For the first time in the half they had the hosts on the back foot but conceding needless penalties let Barkers off the hook and there was no further scorlng.
This was a plucky performance by a KC’s side who were yet again understrength and whilst they could not dent Barkers 100% record they could at least take some satisfaction from being able to deny the high flyers a bonus point.
KC’s next League fixture is a home match against Banbury on 12th November.