Bridgnorth RFC 37 – 0 Kidderminster Carolians RFC
Kidderminster Carolians RFC travelled north up the River Severn to play Bridgnorth RFC with both teams level at the top of Midlands 2 West (North) league having secured bonus points wins in their respective start of the season matches.
Before a good crowd (it was Bridgnorth RFC’s Vice Presidents and Sponsors day) Kidderminster kicked off the match and controlled possession and play in the first five minutes including Rob Phillips stealing the first two Bridgnorth lineouts. On their first foray into the Kidderminster half Bridgnorth were awarded a penalty which they converted to give the home side a 3 – 0 lead. This penalty gave the home side the confidence to play strong running rugby and the home pack started to exert control in the forward battle especially in the scrums pushing Kidderminster Carolians off the ball on a number of occasions.
Kidderminster defended well with Chris Pinner and Will Varley particularly strong and despite the pressure KCs did not let their heads drop.
After 19 minutes Bridgnorth were awarded a 5 metre scrum from the KCs line which they controlled well and a simple move out from the base of the scrum allowed the Bridgnorth right wing to score an unconverted try and extend their lead to 8 – 0.
A couple of minutes later KCs lost their front row player, Ben Turner, to a nasty arm injury which will require surgery. Almost immediately after this injury Bridgnorth went further ahead when the ball was passed along their backs at pace which created an overlap for a converted try to extend the lead to 15 – 0.
This second try stirred KCs into a spell where they tested Bridgnorth’s defence. Two good penalty kicks by George Morgan deep into the home side’s 22 metre area maintained the pressure but then the visitors conceded a penalty which allowed the home side to get away from their try line.
A Kidderminster player was then yellow carded and Bridgnorth made the most of the one man advantage and returned to the visitors 22 metre area. Bridgnorth then had a player yellow carded but despite this their forwards dominated both line outs and scrums. From one scrum the ball was again quickly passed along the back division and at pace Bridgnorth burst through the KCs defence to score a converted try just before half time to make the score line 22 – 0.
The second half saw KCs having to defend once again which they did well led by Mike Protheroe, Chris Pinner, George Morgan and Rhys Pritchard. KCs conceded a penalty after 10 minutes in front of the posts which Bridgnorth converted to extend their lead to 25 – 0.
KCs never stopped competing but the pace and strength of the Bridgnorth side allowed the home side to score 2 tries after 30 and 32 minutes of the second half one of which was converted to extend their lead to 37 – 0. KCs put Bridgnorth under pressure in the final 5 minutes of the match and from a well worked lineout Mike Protheroe sprinted up the left wing to be stopped in the home side’s 22 metre area by a tremendous try-saving tackle.
Bridgnorth were worthy winners of the match and the Edgar Davies Trophy but KCs, under Captain Rob Delahay’s leadership, never let their heads drop and played their part in this top of the table clash. KCs will be entertaining local rivals Droitwich RFC at Marlpool Lane on Saturday 4th October in the North Midlands Shield kicking off at 3 pm.