Match Report Courtesy of Bob Davies,
Photos courtesy of Paul Hickey
https://www.paulhickeyphotography.co.uk/Sports/Galleries/Rugby-Galleries/Stourbridge-Lions-vs-Kidderminster-Carolians-140919/

Kidderminster Carolians came up against a well drilled Stourbridge side, however the score does not reflect the closeness of the encounter.
The final score shows Stourbridge scoring 8 tries to KC three. Where Stourbridge were good was in making KC pay heavily for errors, their pacey backs capitalising on half chances when KC concentration lapsed. Stourbridge took a 15-0 lead, first try from a KC knock on after winning the lineout, a penalty for a late tackle and a second try from a good short move.

The early exchanges were going Stourbridge way, however as the first half progressed the KC forwards were working well in the loose, line out and set scrums. Tom Mayer was prominent in many aspects of play winning good line out ball, Chis Pinner and Scott Lovell were also stand out players for KC. The disappointing feature of KC play was the number of times they won the ball and then dropped it, gifting possession back to Stourbridge.

Concerted pressure from KC forwards found them camped close to the Stourbridge line, forcing several penalties until eventually the reward came with a try from Dave Kane. It looked as if the half time score would be 15-5 to Stourbridge, however in the last minute of the half they scored from another KC error to go into the break at 20-5.
Stourbridge scored two opportunistic tries against the run of play early in the second half. This galvanised the KC forwards who had their best period of play, controlling possession for 10 minutes and forcing good defence from the Stourbridge side. Eventually Scott Lovell got over for the well-deserved try.

Stourbridge then scored two further tries, one from a good move by their backs and one from a missed KC tackle.
Further sustained KC pressure in the Stourbridge 22 tested their defence and finally produced a third KC try for Andy Mclellan.
A positive game from KC against what is effectively a Stourbridge second team with several of their players having contracts with the semi-professional outfit.