KIDDERMINSTER CAROLIANS 1ST XV vs STAFFORD 1ST XV. 14TH OCTOBER 2023. LEAGUE.

Stafford took one of the longest journeys of the season for a Worcestershire league fixture against Kidderminster. The teams were last in the same league back in the 2016 – 2017 season with Kidderminster holding home & away victories over the County Town team.

The opening stages of the match saw a lot of loose ball as the rain made play slippery for the teams. A hacked through ball found its way over the line and a flying Alex Rock was unlucky not to score after a decent foot race. A subsequent Kidderminster penalty sailed through the uprights to give the hosts the lead. Stafford then tried to adapt as the referee’s whistle was in constant use marching the Blackberry Lane XV back down the pitch. Kidderminster capitalised adding a well worked try to their total. Stafford built some decent territory with some hard carries, but couldn’t find the fire power for the final penetration and eventually Kidderminster turned the ball over. The teams both continued to scrap as the rest of the half fizzled to a close. Stafford went into half time trailing by 8-0 in a game which hadn’t really ignited so far.

Kidderminster came tearing into the second half and the visiting XV couldn’t stop an opening surge which saw the home side add a second try to their tally. Stafford then had their brightest period of the afternoon pinning the home side on their own line. Several attacks were repelled before Tom Dunn crossed for a try reducing the deficit to eight points. The game then got slightly chaotic as Kidderminster started to wrestle their way to a distinct advantage. A penalty together with a further try punctured any aspirations that Stafford were harbouring of a comeback. The battling hosts started to run at will and the visiting XV couldn’t find a response. The next try secured a bonus point for Kidderminster and a final try finished off what had been a tiring second half for the Country Town team.

Next 1st XV League Match; Saturday 21st October 2023, Home vs Telford Hornets.