Kings are denied by early whistle (From Redditch Advertiser)

Kings are denied by early whistle

6:00pm Thursday 14th March 2013 in Sport

Old Leamingtonians 16, Kings Norton 13

KINGS Norton pushed Midlands Three West (South) leaders Old Leamingtons all the way and earned a bonus point for their efforts in Warwickshire.

The Hopwood-based side had been leading 13-6 early in the second-half, only to agoninsingly lose out courtesy of two late tries.

But there was no doubting Kings had produced an excellent display and were unforunate not to win the match, which had been concluded mistakenly five minutes early by the referee.

The visitors sprang out of the blocks in determined fashion and took the lead when Chris Carlin set up Jack Fairhurst, whose speed took him over the line to touch down in the corner.

Leamingtonians hit back with a penalty.

But Kings were in no mood to concede further points and worked hard to contain an over-confident Old Leams side who were forced into making mistakes.

Tom Hatfield with Ben Boyce in close support made a couple of good runs for the visitors, who despite losing young fly-half Jack Barwick on 27 minutes to the sin bin, went further ahead from a long-range Carlin penalty.

The always dangerous home side almost scored before half-time following good work by their backs only for the score to be ruled out because of a forward pass.

The hosts regrouped at interval and a penalty saw them reduce the arrears to two points.

Kings went down to 14 men again with a second sin binning for too much back chatting to the referee but despite the setback they extended their lead.

Ben Boyce crashed over for a try after impressive play at a line-out followed by a powerful catch-and-drive.

Norton then weathered a Olds Leams barrage but the hosts scored an unconverted try to make it 13-11.

A second try late on saw the home team edge ahead decisively.

But as Kings pushed for a late score they were denied when the referee called full-time early.

Norton are at home on Saturday to Kidderminster Carolians in the quarter final of the North Midlands Shield (3pm ko).