Merit Table contest is an entertaining affair - The Redditch Standard

Merit Table contest is an entertaining affair

Redditch Editorial 17th Jan, 2017   0

KINGS NORTON 2nds were involved in an entertaining Worcestershire & Herefordshire Merit Table clash at home to Bournville 3rds, but it was the visitors who clinched a 14-10 victory.

Kings won September’s previous meeting between the sides 19-7, so they faced a Birmingham outfit keen to make amends.

With an unfamiliar squad, Kings began brightly in this entertaining encounter as they took the game to the visitors, but a loose pass was intercepted out wide and Bournville’s winger sped away to score between the posts, providing their kicker with a simple conversion.

Kings gathered well from the restart and a series of flowing moves eventually led to Ed Fogg scoring well close to the posts, but the conversion attempt flew wide.




The home side continued to press but were repelled by the visitors’ strong defence and counter-attacks.

However, Kris Fenn finished a great forward drive to crash over and give the hosts a 10-7 half time lead.


Throughout the second half both teams served up plenty of exciting rugby but neither could gain the upper hand.

Excellent defence thwarted flowing attacks but Bournville managed one superb drive to score another converted try to seal a hard fought victory.

Kings coach Chris Hands was very pleased with his squad’s performance, particularly the efforts of a couple of former Rhinos/Colts who had performed extremely well at senior level.

Kings’ first team return to Midlands Four West (South) action on Saturday with a key game at bottom of the table Keresley.

WEDNESDAY, January 25 (7.30pm) sees the Guanos return to their Kings Norton roots.

The North Midlands invitational club will face Kings Norton Veterans under the Hopwood Park floodlights.

The Guanos were formed in 1981 with the aim of playing a Barbarians-style of rugby and they attracted some of the leading players from North Midlands and further afield for charity and celebratory matches around the county.

The introduction of league rugby and professionalism posed increasing challenges for the Guanos but Steve Lloyd – the former Moseley, Worcester and Midlands lock – has now taken over the running of the side.

The Kings Norton match will be the Guanos’ first of the season but they will also help Woodrush celebrate their 50th anniversary with a match at Forhill on April 1.

A match against Torbay Veterans at Paignton RFC has also been arranged for April 29, with a possible fixture against Worcester Wanderers to be arranged.

The Guanos are looking for players – primarily veterans – who would enjoy playing a cavalier style of rugby and enjoy traditional rugby post-match camaraderie.

Players interested in playing for the Guanos should email Steve Lloyd at [email protected].

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