Old Coventrians 27 Kidderminster 45
23 April 2022

This was the final league game for both sides, the result was not going to alter their finishing league position.
KC s began looking as if they could blow Coventrians away, In the first five minutes KC got quick ball around the halfway line and spun the ball down the line to Ryan Tiene who easily outpaced the defence scoring under the posts giving Jack O’Hagan an easy conversion. Two minutes later, KC possession on the halfway allowed Tiene to score his second try and Jack O’Hagan adding the conversion.
Coventrians came back into the game, particularly through the set scrums where their weight advantage allowed them to push KC off several scrums. This situation led to the first try for Coventrians which was not converted.
Another Coventrians incursion into the KC 22 was reversed when George Tildesley intercepted five metres out and ran the length of the field unchallenged to score, the conversion was missed.
In the KC backs Rob Philips was active in attack and defence; while Jesse Burgess had a good game with terrific tackling. For the forwards, standout players were Ryan Wainwright, Tom Kerrigan and Alfie Smith.
Further possession for KC was passed down the line allowing George Tildesley to outflank Coventrians defence and trot 70 metres to score, Jack O’Hagan adding the conversion. KC gained the ball on their 22 and spinning the ball to Ryan Tiene for him to easily outpace the defenders to complete his hat-trick, O’Hagan again adding the conversion.
Just before half time it was Coventrians turn to make an interception and breakaway on the halfway line fora converted try under the posts.
Things looked good for KC in the second half as they would be playing with the wind behind them, maybe this caused the team to take their foot off the gas. The next KC try was through a forward drive, Morgan Maxwell making good ground from the opposition 22 and when KC were awarded a penalty Ryan Wainwright driving through to score. Forward pressure from Coventrians earned them another try restricting the KC lead. The next score for KC was well earned. The forwards had put pressure on the Coventrians line, gained a penalty which, taken short, was fed to Ryan Wainwright who from 8 metres out ran a line straight at the defence his strength taking him over the line to score, Tom Dalton converting.
Coventrians were able to put real pressure on KC through their scrum advantage and only resolute defending stopped them scoring on several occasions. It was ironic that when Coventrians knocked the ball on and KC were awarded a scrum, Coventrians were winning the resulting scrum. Just before the final whistle Coventrians earned a scrum penalty, fed the ball through their backs for their winger to score close to the touchline; giving the win to KC at 27-45.
KC backs were superior and the Coventrians advantage in the set scrums nullified much of the opportunities that KC were earning.
KC now look forward to next week when they play Evesham in the semi-final of the North Midland Shield.
Bob Davies