Coventrians 30 Kings Norton 7
Midlands Four West (South)
DEPLETED Kings Norton travelled to Coventry without replacements on Saturday and inevitably paid the price as they slipped to defeat despite their best efforts.
The visitors lost hard-tackling centre Pete Crompton to a shoulder injury after just 15 minutes and with him went any realistic hopes of a result.
By that point the hosts had already opened a 6-0 lead thanks to two penalties following scrum infringements, but Kings’ forwards continued to hold their own.
However, Coventrians soon realised their best opportunity was to spread the ball wide at every opportunity, whereas Kings needed to keep the ball tight within their forwards.
This proved to be the case as the Hopwood club’s forwards won most of their scrums and lineouts and drove their opponents back but, every time the home team had the ball, they either kicked long or broke through the Kings defence.
Indeed, had it not been for Kings’ tackling and spirited teamwork, the match would have soon become a walkover.
Coventrians scored two first half tries – one converted – both out wide by breaking out from deep in their own half with good passing and speed.
Finally, Kings’ forwards proved their superiority after camping within the home 10m line for an extended period during which the hosts conceded several penalties before the referee decided to award Kings a penalty try.
Inspired by their last-minute first half score which made it 18-7, the visitors began the second half in a determined mood and took the game to Coventrians.
For almost 20 minutes the 14 men went toe-to-toe without making much deserved breakthroughs.
This forward pressure could not be maintained and on the 65-minute mark Coventrians took control and extended their lead with a well worked try as they outpaced the stretched visiting defence.
The forwards continued to be well matched but in the final moments Coventrians gained their bonus point fourth try which they converted to complete the scoring.
Afterwards Kings coach Chris Hands and captain Tom Kendrick were full of praise for the performance of their small squad and hope the availability of many of their injured and other regular players will improve in the new year.
Kings’ next league game is an important one in their battle to beat the drop, at home to Harbury on January 7.