2017 starts off with a Home victory

It had been 3 long weeks since the last competitive outing and this was evident from the start of the first league game of 2017.Everybody was raring to go but some of the ball handling skills had gone a little rusty over the Christmas and New Year period.

Camp Hill dominated the early exchanges with the pack winning good ball at scrum and line out and the back row all carrying the ball to good effect. Unfortunately, when they tried to move the ball wider there was a lack of accuracy in the passing and two clear chances were missed in the first 10 minutes.

Another burst from the forwards involving prop Jan Erik Andersen and man of the match Mark Newton (pic) saw Camps down on the visitors 5 metre line and, subsequently, taking the scrum against the head. A try looked inevitable as Rob Hill picked up at the base but once again the transfer of the ball along the line proved too much ; Player coach Halbey and fellow back rower Rob Hunt were very prominent in the early stages so it was a blow when the latter was forced to leave the field after 25 minutes but it it did give Ollie Linnett to come on for his 1 st XV debut.

Camps had a chance to take the lead with a penalty in front of the posts but Barney Edwards, who was unable to find the target throughout, missed the kick. It took half an hour but eventually Camps took a well-deserved lead. From another successful scrum the ball was carried on by Jon Betty and when it became available Halbey fed winger Sam Garratt who used his pace to get over in the corner.

Kidderminster had the chance to reduce the lead just before half time but another very kickable chance was squandered and it remained 5- 0 at the break. The second half started much as the first had with the Camp Hill forwards well on top. Ollie Linnett showed some promising touches including a line out take which set Newts and Jan- Erik heading for the line. The resolute Kidderminster defence managed to hold up the Camps attempt and then from the subsequent 5-metre scrum they conceded a penalty in trying to prevent a pushover try. Although Camps were unable to capitalise from the scrum, the clearance was carried back by 'Nobby' Freeman and when he was stopped close to the line hooker Adam Willis picked up and forced his way over.

A couple of minutes later saw a typical Barney Edwards bomb come back on the Camp Hill side and replacement Ollie Linnett was able to race over in the left hand corner for a debut try in a very solid first appearance.

So Camps had 25 minutes to try and secure the bonus point try but the visitors remained extremely competitive and made that quest very difficult and, ultimately, unsuccessful. Eventually, the Camp Hill backs tried one pass too many resulting in centre Rhys Pritchard
intercepting and going over under the posts and, for once, the conversion was good.

A frustrating afternoon in some ways but there could be no complaints about the level of commitment with coach Halbey leading by example.

This Saturday we have a home game against neighbours Edwardian FC n the North Midlands Plate

Footnote;

Message from Kidderminster Carolians RFC

This is to thank you and your fellow members for your hospitality at your club last Saturday. We enjoyed meeting you all and look forward to the next time - unless you win promotion!

All the best for the rest of the Season.

Alan Dixon (President of KCRFC)