Second-half introduction of Ellis spurs Old Leamingtonians on to narrow win

Kidderminster took the early initiative and eventually crossed the line for the first try of the game which went unconverted.

OLs came back strongly with fly-half Angus Rose reducing the lead with a penalty and, as the home side started to gain the upper hand, captain Jason Healey crossed for a try after a series of rolling mauls deep in the Kidderminster 22.

Rose converted from out wide.

The game was fluctuating from end to end with both sides having opportunities and it was the visitors who were next on the scoresheet following a spell of expansive play.

The conversion took them into a 14-10 lead.

OLs’ response was immediate with their forwards rumbling downfield for Liam Jones to touch down.

The try was unconverted but OLs had a useful three-point cushion going into the break.

This proved shortlived, however, as within five minutes of the restart Kidderminster took advantage of a quick tap-penalty to scythe through the home defence for a converted try.

With the game evenly balanced, OLs brought prop Craig Ellis off the bench and he made an immediate impact, crashing through the Kidderminster defence for the first of his two tries following strong forward pressure.

The try was converted but Kidderminster were not out of the game and came back with a fourth converted try to secure a bonus point.

The visitors now led by four points going into the final stages of the game but the strong fitness of OLs was showing and Kidderminster were again forced back into their own 22 where, from an almost identical forward move, Ellis went over to score the match-winning converted try.