KC’s 100% home record was blown away by an OL’s side whose nine tries demonstrated precisely why they top Mids 2 West (South).
The visitors went ahead after only two minutes when flyhalf John Bean slotted over a thirty metre penalty but KC’s responded with five minutes of sustained pressure which was rewarded with a penalty ten metres out and they kicked to touch to set up a great attacking position.Unfortunately,the lineout was lost but they quickly regained possession and with men over on the left side created another scoring opportunity but Laurentians’ winger Simon Bayliss intercepted a potential try scoring pass and sprinted away to score under the posts.Bean added the extras and having dominated early possession and territory KC’s found themselves trailing 10-0.Kidder then suffered another set back when hooker Stu Such was yellow carded and OL’s soon took advantage as fullback Ben Wiles ran back a clearance kick to set up a series of rucks which eventually stretched KC’s fourteen men and left wing Troy Owen went over in the corner for a 15-0 lead.
The league leaders were now beginning to suck in KC’s defenders to create space out wide and midway through the half their No 5 Ben Anderson found himself with acres of room on the right flank to cross for an easy try.Two minutes later Bean broke through some weak tackling for a try which he converted himself to extend the lead to 27-0 but with halftime approaching KC’s won a five metre lineout and with several throws to the back having proved unproductive,this time they picked out Tom Maher at No 2 and he set up ruck ball from which scrumhalf Chris Pinner forced his way over to put the home side on the board.OL’s restart did not go ten metres but KC’s somehow lost the scrumback on halfway and the visitors moved the ball left to Owen who cantered over for a try,converted by Bean,to put them out of sight with an interval lead of 34-5.
Any hopes of a KC’s comeback evaporated within a minute of the second period when OL’s impressive No 3 surged over for a try and Kidder were under the cosh.Arthur Chiverton tried to relieve the pressure with an exciting run out of defence but when the ball was lost on halfway the visitors counter attacked and Bayliss finished the move with Bean adding the extras.More good hands saw OL’s No 14 run in his third try to take the lead to 51-5 and KC’s were staring down the barrel but instead of crumbling they rallied and when a forty metre dash to the line by skipper Rob Delahay,inspirational throughout,was stopped just short centre Jake Evetts was on hand to pick up the pieces for Kidder’s second try.They now sniffed the possibility of a losing bonus point and piled on the pressure, resulting in a try for lock Alex Baldwin and a conversion for Pinner.OL’s hit back with a try by centre Danny Murch,improved by Bayliss this time,but KC’s showed great character to take the game to Laurentians yet again and a second try for Pinner,which he converted himself,secured a hard earned but well deserved four try bonus point.
KC’s lost to a very good side who had a solid scrum,a good defence and quick backs who finished clinically but to score four tries and pick up a bonus point was a noteworthy achievement.Kidder now face another really tough challenge away to second placed Kenilworth who are the only side to have beaten OL’s this season but,interestingly,KC’s remain the only team to have beaten Kenilworth.All to play for!