KC’s sign off in style by making history
Kidderminster Carolians capped a superb season by claiming a record-breaking fourth North Midlands Shield.
Carolians had been level with Bridgnorth with three wins apiece in the county’s second tier competition and had little difficulty adding another win to their tally – and their third Shield in four seasons – as they outgunned Camp Hill 48-26 at Dudley Kingswinford.
The triumph added to the feelgood factor at the club, who will plying their trade in Midlands One next season after winning the Midlands Two West play-offs.
Kidderminster exploited perfect conditions and brought their dangerous backs into play at every opportunity.
They were 24 points clear after 36 minutes with fly-half Freddie Morgan rounding off a brilliant attack for the opener after seven minutes. Right wing Ryan Tiene then finished off an exhilarating length-of-the pitch counter-attack and soon followed up with a second try after more crisp handling.
Tiene then turned provider, linking cleverly with full-back Andy McLellan who touched down before Camp Hill stemmed the flow of points with a close range try from lock Shawn Lindeque.
But there was still time for KC’s scrum-half Chris Pinner to dart over in first-half injury-time which meant Camp Hill were 22 points adrift at the break.
Lindeque was shunted over for his second try early in the second half and Ian Briggs’ conversion gave them a glimmer of hope. But Kidderminster immediately cancelled out the score when number eight Jess Smith strolled through some weak tackling for a soft try.
Camp Hill’s defence disintegrated again when Kidderminster left wing Arthur Turner scored a brilliant individual try from his own 22 which Freddie Morgan improved.
Arthur Turner then featured prominently in the build up to the next try, another confident handling move from deep, which was finished by centre Rhys Pritchard.
Camp Hill continued to plug away with Gareth Lang and number eight Steve Leach both touching down.
Arthur Morgan almost brought up Kidderminster’s half-century with a brilliant run that took him almost the length of the pitch but he was eventually hauled down just short of the line.
