Buoyed by the presence of former KC captain Andy Halkon and Harriers legend John Deakin in the changing rooms Kidderminster Carolians showed great resilience and spirit to win against an extremely good Earlsdon side fresh from their win over the league favourites Kenilworth.
Kidderminster looked to have got off to a great start when. within two minutes a dropped Earlsdon pass was seized upon by the alert Alex Royall who unleashed Arthur Morgan from 60 yards for what looked to be the opening score. Earlsdon who have the best defensive record in the league showed exactly why when a stunning chase back and last-ditch tackle prevented the score!

Intense pressure by the well drilled Earlsdon side led to a penalty and 3- 0 lead for most of the first half. This lead was extended after half an hour when the powerful drives by the Earlsdon forwards eventually led to a well taken try which was converted to increase their lead to 10 – 0 with half time approaching. KC’S task was made even harder when powerful ball carrying no 8 Jess Smith was yellow carded for a team offence after successive penalties.

Both sides put together a variety of strong attacks but the organised and committed defence was the main feature as players worked extremely hard to close down space and deny scoring opportunities. The Kidderminster backs looked extremely threatening when given the ball but strong scrummaging and line out work by the visiting forwards limited the supply of good ball.
The half time lead of 10 points to nil was thoroughly deserved by Earlsdon and things were looking bleak for the home side.
Fantastic leadership by senior players Rhys Pritchard. Alex Baldwin. Tom Maher and captain Mike Protheroe led to a renewed impetus and attacking phases by the home side immediately after halftime. A penalty by Freddie Morgan gave the home supporters and players encouragement as the lead was reduced to 3 – 10.

The first foray of the second half into Kidderminster territory led to a period of intense pressure by Earlsdon who scored an excellent try which was unconverted but gave them a 3-15 lead. The Earlsdon side were clearly looking to close the game down and repeated drives by their powerful well organised forwards meant KC’S were forced to show great determination and resilience to resist.

Powerful surging runs by Jess Smith and man of the match Scott Lovell led to a score by Smith which was unconverted and brought the score back to 8-15 to the away side as the game entered the last 10 minutes. A try by Mike Protheroe converted by Freddie Morgan brought the scores level and the frantic attacking by the home side in the last few minutes was testimony to the raised fitness levels of the whole squad this season! With Kidderminster spreading the ball wide at every opportunity a powerful run by winger Ryan Teine led to a penalty in the last few seconds, which was kicked by the calm and composed Freddie Morgan, who sealed what had seemed an unlikely victory for much of the game against well coached and very strong opponents!

The final score of 18-15 to the home side was testimony to the hard work and increasingly good game management by the young Carolians team who have yet to show their best form but have a four-point lead at the top of the table!