Kings Norton 31, Stoke Old Boys 5

A WEEK’S lay off for Kings Norton failed to suppress their enthusiasm for this important home encounter against Coventry side Stoke Old Boys who had run Kings close in their away match in October.

Although Stoke put up a strong resistance throughout this entertaining match, Kings dominated the game and, but for the Old Boys’ second-half determination to keep the score down, could have added more points to their five-try tally as they consolidated fourth-place in the Midlands Division Four West (South).

Kings opened strongly and winger Mike Smaylen produced an unstoppable run down the right to touchdown.

Stoke regrouped and attacked the home side who conceded a penalty for illegally handing in a ruck, but the visitors’ long range attempt was wide of the mark.

From the restart, Rob McGhee rumbled his way on a 50-metre run through a series of tackles before handing the ball to Will Greenwood, who made more ground but his deserved score was thwarted as Stoke’s defence held him up over the line.

Kings continued to apply pressure and another excellent move saw Alex Stylianou finish in style with captain Shane Rees converting.

Stylianou then popped up to get on the end of a great move to cross for his second try.

In the second half, fired-up Kings went for the bonus point and after a 10-minute period of desperate defending they were rewarded when Stoke finally conceded a penalty try with Rees adding the extras.

Stoke’s battled hard to get back into the game for a 20-minute spell , while the hosts saw swift counter-attacks by Ben and Jack Manners stopped by crunching tackles.

But Kings stood firm and as their forwards worked their way upfield the ball was released to Kris Fenn who crashed through for a try under the posts, which Rees converted to increase the home side’s lead to 31 points.

Finally, after a strong period by the visitors, they were rewarded with a forwards try in the left corner on the stroke of full-time.

Kings are without a league fixture for two weekends before facing Atherstone at Hopwood Park on February 21.