Dudley Wasps 0 Kings Norton 26
North Midlands Vase quarter-finals
KINGS comfortably advanced to the semi-finals of the North Midlands Vase with a four-try victory on Saturday.
The visitors expected a tough test but a much-changed team from Hopwood soon set about the task ahead with determination.
Wasps were put under pressure from the kick-off and Kings probed their defence with a series of forward attacks and after eight minutes Will Greenwood’s strong run was illegally stopped short of the line.
The visitors tapped a quick penalty, feeding Alex Stylianou who crashed through for the first of his two tries which Shane Rees easily converted.
Despite the changed squad, Kings’ obviously well coached team played some good stuff and the new players soon gelled together, enjoying the freedom they were allowed by the home team.
Dudley contested well but could not find a way through Kings’ stout defence.
With 25 minutes played Kings failed to finish a fine move but, after Dudley cleared their lines yet again, they were unable to contain a rampant forward drive which resulted in a vintage move and touchdown by second row Mark Waudby to make it 12-0 at the break.
Kings were always in control of this hard fought and sporting encounter and, although the home team never gave up, they were no match for a confident Kings squad for which Boyce, McGhee and Greenwood created the pressure play.
The half backs used the ball wisely and, but for excellent tackling by Wasps, Kings might have scored more points through their backs.
Open side forward Stylianou scored his second try after 47 minutes converted by Rees to extend the visitors’ lead.
Debutant Anthony Ginty had a solid defensive game on the wing right and Craig Hughes gave a reliable account of himself at prop forward.
Jack Barwick and Ben Manners were a constant threat and Kings’ final try came after 76 minutes when Chris Hands finished a good move to break through the Wasps’ rearguard and touch down between the posts, converted by Rees.
The semi-final will be played away to either Bishops Castle or Cleobury Mortimer on a date to be confirmed.
Fourth placed Kings return to Midlands Four West (South) action on Saturday (2.15pm) at home to Coventry Welsh.
