OLD WHEATLYANS 23, KINGS NORTON 16

STRUGGLING Kings Norton gave the home side a fright with a powerful display of forward power to earned a bonus point.

But the Hopwood-based side could have won the match if they had made the right decisions at crucial times.

After swapping penalties in the first five minutes, Kings went ahead with their second penalty both of which were scored by Ben Manners.

Hard-tackling by centre Simon Williams and thrusting runs from Ben Boyce kept the visitors on the front foot for the first 20 minutes.

But they they fell behind to a well-worked corner flag try which was excellently converted to put Old Wheatlyans back in the lead.

Kings came back strongly and with the clock ticking down to half-time a series of forward up field plays by Kings led to the visitor regaining the lead.

The ball was fed out wide by Louis Stelling and Manners worked his way over for a score which he converted to make it 13-10 to the away side.

The hosts side scored an early forwards try which gave them the platform to build upon as Kings lost the initiative in the second period.

Kings’ forwards worked hard and provided plenty of opportunities, as Simon Williams and Manners both made strong runs to the line, only to find their hosts in no mood to concede points with strong defence.

From one such foray upfield, Wheatlyans ignored an easy penalty opportunity and instead chose a scrummage which eventually led to them scoring their third touch down.

Kings had not given up and were soon on the attack,Williams’s run had earned a penalty which Manners slotted over to reduce the points gap to four but a further kick by the home side extended their lead to 23-13. Kings Norton welcome high flying Old Yardleians to Hopwood Park on Saturday (2.15pm KO).

The relegation battling side remain second from bottom but just one point away from safety in the West Midlands Division Three West (South).