Kidderminster 15 - Pershore 30
AUG
Pershore started the season with a fine away victory. With a number of
first choice players unavailable, it gave Pershore the opportunity to
give first team debuts to a number of young players, who performed very
well. Kidderminster fielded a very large experienced team, who played to
their strengths in the first half, using their big forwards to good
effect, however it was the visitors who drew first blood. From a break
by fly half Matt Cyphus, Steff Ellis broke down midfield, his chip ahead
was gathered by the Kiddi full back, but quick turnover ball was won by
Pershore, and a pass to the rampaging skipper Karl Evans, saw him crash
over. The conversion was kicked by Cyphus. Kidderminster rallied and
eventually their forwards forced Pershore to concede a kickable penalty.
From the restart, Kiddi rumbled down the right wing, an inside pass saw
their open side flanker touch down, under the posts, which was duly
converted. On the stroke of half time, a speculative kick ahead from the
Kiddi fly half, saw Pershore attempt to run out of their 22, however,
the ball was lost, and with their forwards on the front foot, eventually
their prop burrowed over the try line. 15 pts to 7 at half time.
Pershore turned in a superb second half performance. With the big Kiddi
forwards struggling with the pace, and speed of the game, Pershores
forwards took complete control. Alex Peel, Jameson Lane , and Karl Evans
gave their opposite front row a torrid time, which in turn allowed Kriss
Bassett, Marcus Whyte and Martin Hope the freedom to run at the
opposition, and create space, and force Kiddirminster onto the back
foot. From half a dozen dynamic rucks, Josh Hardiman, on his debut,
picked up, and when a gap appeared scorched under the posts, Cyphus
again converting. Cyphus quickly increased the scoreline, when Kiddi
conceded two penalties, again caused by Pershores forward dominance. On
the one occasion Kiddi ventured into the Pershore 22, they lost the ball
in possesion, Pershore sped the ball wide to speedster Steff Ellis, who
blitzed his way around the Kiddi backs to score a magnificent try.
Pershores forwards were rewarded just before the full time whistle when
after a succession of rucks, No 8 Martin Hope crossed the whitewash, to
complete the scoring.
