Kings Norton 41, Coventry Welsh 29

KINGS Norton and Coventry Welsh served up an 11-try feast in front of a record crowd last Saturday.

Those attending club president Mark Pearson’s end of season pre-match luncheon, while former players who had assembled for a Scott James memorial match.

Welsh were always playing catch-up to Kings' domination of the set pieces with their strong defence stifling the visitors' rare attacks.

The hosts' early three-try spree gave them the cushion needed to play some adventurous rugby. Winger Mike Smallen scored first after five minutes when his speed took him through to cross the line, while captain Shane Rees converted against the wind.

Rob McGhee then crashed over under the posts, with Rees again adding the extras.

Kings Norton bagged another try when Chris Minott gathered the ball deep and raced down the flank to score.

The Welsh began to pull themselves into the game and when Ben Boyce was yellow carded for an illegal tackle, the Coventry side made the advantage count by scoring two quick unconverted tries.

Kings came back strongly and Rees slotted a penalty for offside before Alex Styliano raced through for a converted try to gain the four-try bonus point and close out the first half.

The hosts opened the second period with more of the same as the rampant McGhee scored his second try four minutes into the half, Rees narrowly missing the conversion.

Welsh then came to life with two well-taken converted tries and began to look dangerously close to their hosts' score.

Mark Waudby's score, converted by Rees, ensured Kings Norton sealed a victory.