Kidderminster Carolians were always going to be up against it in their clash against Old Laurentians with a side depleted by Covid issues and injury.

Conditions for rugby were dry although the Marlpool Lane pitch, while draining better then most pitches, was still sticky and slippery from the earlier rain.

The game started with both sides making good moves, Ryan Wainwright being prominent for KC. Wainwright started a great move in the OL 22 which gave KC a two man overlap for Ryan Tiene to score an easy try. Ryan looked dangerous on many occasions but lost his footing in the greasy conditions.

Whilst there was good play from KC, notable was George Tildesley at full back who looked safe under a succession of high balls, OL scored three quick tries, the last of which was scored after a fifty yard dribble ending with a very lucky bounce back into their right winger's arms.

The KC pack was under pressure in the set piece, George Lloyd Jones and Tom Kerrigan did good work in the lineout winning possession. So KC went into half time with a 21-5 deficit and looking at a difficult second half.

In the event KC then played some of their best rugby in the second half while testing OL's defence on several occasions and restricting them to only one further try.

Early in the second half KC had several moves into the OL 22 and with a two man overlap were unable to get over the line; this was followed by Jim Tildesley making a 50 metre break which was snuffed out by the OLs defence.

Several players stood out; Rich Sollum playing in an unaccustomed position as wing forward showed enthusiasm with positive runs and very good defensive tackling. Dave Kane was his usual prominent self and for his efforts was deservedly given the man of the match award. Debutant Hakeem Hussain came on as a replacement and impressed with several powerful tackles to peg OL back.

With ten minutes to go the visitors were able to get into KC 22 and draw the defence allowing one of their centres to score, the conversion was missed to make the final score KC 5-26 Old Laurentians.

Report submitted by Kidderminster Caroilians