Kings Norton 36 Redditch 15
Midlands Four West (South)
KINGS NORTON assembled a large contingent of former players, vice-presidents and notable guests at their presidents’ pre-match lunch and they were rewarded with the result they desired from an excellent, well contested local derby.
The Hopwood outfit started well with a superb try by Karl Ford converted by Ed Fogg after just five minutes.
Kings maintained the pressure and Fogg extended their lead with a simple penalty five minutes later.
Redditch then got into their stride and took the game to the home side and after 20 minutes finally forced Kings into conceding a penalty for offside, successfully converted by Will Heath.
From the kick-off, Redditch produced a ten-minute period of sustained pressure which culminated in Bryn Williams – back at full back – joining the back line to cross unopposed for a try which went unconverted.
However, Kings soon replied with their second try through scrum half Dan Thomas, converted by the reliable Fogg.
Redditch were not done though and owed their final score of the first half to a poor decision by the Kings Norton touch judge which left Redditch well down into Kings’ territory.
A kick ahead was followed up strongly by Matt Allen who forced a poor kick from the opposition.
This was gratefully received and the ball spun to Mark Green who showed the opposition a clean pair of heels on the right wing before running the ball between the posts for the touchdown.
Heath accepted the bonus points and half time came with the hosts 17-15 up.
The second period began with Kings piling on the forward pressure and soon prop forward Kris Fenn crossed for a try which Fogg converted from the right-hand touchline.
The game continued to be played end to end without either team breaking through tight defences, during which period Redditch missed two kickable penalty attempts.
One memorable tackle on the big Redditch hard-running dangerman by Pete Crompton raised a cheer from the sizeable crowd and seemed to spur Kings to up their game and soon Chris Hands’ mazy run took him over the line to score Kings’ bonus point try to which ‘Foggy’ added the extras.
Williams was a constant menace for Redditch but despite their best efforts the visitors could not add to their points tally and in the dying moments Hands crossed again for an unconverted try to put the icing on Kings’ first league victory of this season.
On Saturday Redditch welcome Pershore to Bromsgrove Road whilst Kings are on the road at leaders Stoke Old Boys. Redditch’s Development squad return to Merit Table action at Stourbridge Lions.
Meanwhile, bonfire celebrations will be taking place at Kings Norton’s Hopwood Park ground in Ash Lane on Saturday and tickets are still available from the clubhouse.
