Redditch RFC

Though the score might suggest a one sided encounter, in reality this was a very close game with spells of Redditch dominance that gives hope for a revitalisation in the second half of the season.KN took the lead early on with a simple penalty kick following it up soon after with their first converted try under the sticks. 

KN were then put on the back foot with some sustained attacking defence by the visitors, not only did they defend their line solidly but they pushed the home side back, forced errors and capitalised upon them/. One such occasion enabled a lose ball to be kicked through the KN backline and Jack Mertens won the sprint to touch down. 

Rory Allen produced a couple of his trademark try saving tackles, Mark Green and Jack Mertens punched holes in the KN back line. Skipper Will Spires in an unaccustomed scrumhalf shirt kept his back line fed with clean ball won by a pack that more than held their own.

However KN waited for their moment to strike and found a space to run through for their second try, the conversion and following penalty gave them a little flattering 20-5 half time lead.

After the break R played possibly their best rugby of the season, constantly frustrating their hosts and applying pressure when the space permitted. Dave Ingram at no8 inspired the pack to raise their game, Cal Razzak, at 6 then at 2, and Sid Allen were amongst many to heed the call and played their hearts out and despite some personnel changes they threatened a little upset until their spirit was broken.

Awarded a penalty deep in their own half, KN were sharp enough to take a quick tap, a break and kick for territory saw R struggling to cover the danger and conceded the score, soon afterwards the fourth was scored with an overlap.

From being in with a chance their fire was dampened, though the flame wasn't completely out.  A sharp direct break by John Board saw him outstrip the cover and score R's second, converted by Elliot Williams.

KN had the last word though scoring their fifth with a crisp passing move. All KN's kicks at goal were successful.

So R can take a lot of heart from this performance, If they can replicate it his weekend at home to Old Halesonians  then the season will start to look a little rosier.

John Broad heads for the line for Redditch's second try