This was a stern test for KC’s against a side with a decent home record who,although not averse to employing spoiling tactics,were also hard running with the ball in hand but Kidder showed their mettle and came away with another bonus point win.

Despite playing up a substantial slope,KC’s were well on top in the opening exchanges and on thirteen minutes flyhalf Andy McLellan knocked over a penalty for a 3-0 lead.They continued to control territory but with almost half an hour played Shipston’s first attack of any real note saw them edge ahead 5-3 when they won turnover ball in KC’s 22 and moved the ball left to their winger who dodged his way through despairing tackles to cross for a try.Five minutes later KC’s launched an attack from deep which took them up to Shipton’s 22 but they lost possession and a breakaway down the right touchline resulted in a second try for the home side ,well converted,to extend their advantage to 12-3.
Head coach Ian Bletcher responded to the set-back by sending on all three substitutes and with halftime approaching No 11 Arthur Chiverton,a threat throughout,came off his wing and used his strength to bulldoze over for a try which McLellan improved to reduce the arrears to 12-10.Though they were not firing on all cylinders,KC’s could be reasonably satisfied at the break with the prospect of playing downhill in the second half boding well.
As it happened,a skewed kick early in the second period put KC’s under unnecessary pressure but scrumhalf Chris Pinner turned defence into attack by snatching up a loose ball just outside his own 22 and racing away for an opportunistic try which put the visitors back in front 15-12.Ten minutes later KC’s won a scrum against the head in Shipston’s half and Pinner broke from the base of the set piece before chipping over the hosts’ defensive line.An obstruction offence gave KC’s a penalty which they kicked to the corner and after twice being held up over the line they worked the ball blind from a five metre scrum and from the ensuing ruck prop Matt Rigsby plunged over for KC’s third try.
Kidder had now built up a head of steam,with Mike Protheroe excelling at the breakdown,and from a 22 metre lineout they almost drove all the way but knocked on just short of the line.Not to be denied,they shunted Shipston off their own scrum ball and flanker Rob Phillips went over for the all important bonus point try ,converted by Pinner to stretch the lead to 27-12.
The game then became increasingly fractious with a handbags at dawn brawl breaking out and Shipston’s skipper being yellow carded for dissent but the home side remained resolute and a well converted try plus nine minutes time added on meant KC’s were far from done and dusted.However,their dominant scrum enabled them to retain possession as the clock ran down and it was another case of job well done.
KC’s remain locked on equal points with Droitwich,42 apiece,but are shown in the press and on the North Mids website as being fourth in the table with Droitwich third even though Kidder have a better points difference of plus 94 compared to their rival’s plus 60.Does anyone know why? Is it because Droitwich have won one more game than KC’s? Is it because Droitwich have the better head to head record? Does anyone know?
Next fixture – Newbold on Avon (A) – Saturday 22nd December