Both sides missed an early penalty opportunity but the home side had started the brighter and went ahead with ten minutes played.A KC’s up and under was safely taken by fullback Ben Wiles on his own 22 and OL’s ran the ball out of defence before putting No 7 Rudi Reid in the clear for the opening try.The hosts continued to have more of the play and KC’s had a let off midway through the half when a penalty kick by flyhalf Jon Bean struck the outside of a post.KC’s reprieve was,however,shortlived as OL’s ran the 22 drop out back at Kidder and their No 8 went over for a second try.Five minutes later the Warwickshire side kicked a penalty to touch and from the five metre lineout they set up a ruck before spinning the ball wide to their left wing Troy Owen who ran in their third try,this time converted by Bean for a 17-0 lead.
KC’s could have folded but showed good spirit and when OL’s front row went up at a scrum a quickly taken tap penalty by scrumhalf Chris Pinner caught the hosts napping and he put in centre Lawrence Hughes for a try under the posts which Pinner converted to reduce the deficit to 17-7.The score gave KC’s increased confidence and for the last fifteen minutes of the half they were much more of an attacking threat.Awarded a penalty right on OL’s line,KC’s opted for a five metre scrum but the home side’s defence held and when they hacked a loose ball deep into KC’s territory they looked certain to score again but knocked on with the line beckoning.KC’s responded with another spell of concerted attacks but suffered a cruel blow on the stroke of halftime when a loose ball at a ruck on halfway was picked up by OL’s and their No 13 Danny Murch ran in a breakaway try to give the hosts a 22-7 halftime lead.
Five minutes after the restart, a KC’s move broke down and OL’s were again quick to turn defence into attack,taking play up to Kidder’s 22.Ruck ball found second row Ben Anderson on the left wing up against a prop forward and he had no trouble notching up the home side’s fifth try,improved by Bean.A driving maul from a lineout thirty metres out then threatened KC’s line but they in turn put OL’s under tremendous pressure with a series of five metre lineouts and scrums.The leaders held firm when many sides would have buckled but KC’s determination was eventually rewarded when lock Rob Phillips sparked a phase of attacks and was in the right place to finish things off,squeezing over in the right corner to reduce the arrears to 29-12. OL’s had the last word,underlining just how dangerous and clinical their backs were,as right wing Lee Hersey outsprinted KC’s defence from his own 22 to score under the posts,adding the extras himself.
OL’s were undoubtedly deserving winners but KC’s played their part in another entertaining game which saw Sam Taylor and Stuart Sims make their first team debuts.
Next match: Kenilworth at home on Sat. 6th October.