Rugby: Friendly

Kings Norton 22 Yardley & District 3

KINGS eased to victory in this sloppy encounter against a North Midlands Five West (North) side who had no answer to the Hopwood side's stronger pack.

Kings Norton won most of the tight play and their superior line-out left their opponents feeding off scraps.

Yardley's spoiling tactics caused the experimental home team problems throughout and it took 20 minutes before fly-half Ken Whitehouse opened the scoring with a penalty.

Yardley responded with a penalty but Norton then began to impose themselves and Richard Revell scored an individual effort five minutes before the break. Whitehouse's conversion needed the upright to help it over as the home side opened up a 10-3 interval lead.

Dicky Brookes then took the field for his first outing of this season, taking his record to 33 consecutive years of representing his club's 1st XV.

The game continued to be a scrappy affair but coach Ian Jackson was happy with the overall performance, particularly that of newboys full-back Fraser Lamont and winger Alan Deardon who finished off a lovely move with ten minutes remaining.

Flanker Paul McGlynn went over for a converted try late on to complete the scoring.

Norton's injury problems will pose a selection headache as they return to league action on Saturday at struggling Handsworth.