'The Lions, despite having a number of personnel changes from the previous weeks' successful side, came into the game full of confidence, which translated in a strong and composed first half. However a 5 minute lapse in concentration and intensity, provided Kidderminster the opportunity to turn the momentum and then hold on in the latter stages.

From the off the Lions settled straight into their phase play and looked dangerous, patiently retaining the ball and probing the home side's defence. This initial pressure told, resulting in them winning a straight forward penalty in front of the posts, which Wainwright duly slotted.

Both sides enjoyed relative parity throughout the next 10 mins, with typical early season play, resulting in both sides producing some promising play but errors at key moments preventing any real dominance. The next points came from Kidderminster's first real entry into the Lion's 22, a lineout drive was well formed, eventually being stopped close to the try line but had already caused the required damage by sucking in the Stourbridge's defence and allowed a strong forward runner to bulldoze the remaining fringe players and score. The try was converted leaving the scores 7-3 after the first quarter.

For the rest of the half, the Lions out played their opponents, combining aggressive defence, smart game control from the half backs in playing in the right areas and then once in good attacking positions playing their phases until they created opportunities to score. The first being well finished by a snipping outside break from fly half, Williams, after sustained team pressure in the home sides 22. Wainwright added the extras.

It must be said that the Lions were aided by, what so far this season appears to be a problem area for Kidderminster, individual discipline, with the fullback sent to the bin. This put further pressure on the home side, which in turn resulted in a further player being sin binned for illegally dragging down the maul. This illegal effort was in vein as the Stour pack still managed to get over the white wash with a well executed drive. The conversion was missed leaving the score at 7-15. With a one/two man advantage the Lions continued to pile on the pressure before halftime but their play was not as clinical as it should have been, giving Kidderminster a life line, which proved to be costly.

The second half started positively for the LIons, as they were awarded a penalty 40m out from the posts, wainwright stepped up with a superb strike, further extending their lead to 7-18.

The next 5 mins drifted by with play remaining between both 22's, until a combination of some quick Kidderminster hands and some poor Lion's tackling, which allowed a breakaway, initially combated by good scrambling defence but only momentarily halted, before well timed support lines allowed a converted Kidderminster try. The Lions did not respond as they previously had in the first half and straight from the kick off the defensive structure was not in place correctly, resulting in mismatches out wide that were exploited creating an overlap that was well finished by the winger. A further conversion took the score to 21-18, with 30 mins to play.

As always when momentum shifts so suddenly it is very difficult to regain and the Lions did not help themselves by the number of turnovers they conceded in the final half hour, which very frustratingly would undo any good phases and opportunities they managed to create. Kidderminster were aggressively attacking the ruck area, which in the first half was relatively easily withheld, however whether it was lack of concentration or fatigue, the second half was a different story and with the lead Kidderminster looked to apply more pressure. A sustained period in the visitors 22, eventually took its toll on the Lions defence and the line was breached, furthermore with a fine conversion to raise their lead to 28-18 and capture the 4 try bonus point.

What could have been the moment where the Lions conceded defeat was far from their reaction, with all the players giving their all, and creating some good chances in the final 10 mins, however final execution prevented them capitalising on these opportunities. Even when Kidderminster cleared their lines in the dying seconds the Lions came back once again with a final attack with pace and depth, creating the overlap on the left with good interplay between Doolittle and Loverock, resulting in the latter going over for a well deserved try and more so a well earned losing bonus point, with the score finishing on 28-23.

Credit must go to Kidderminster for taking their chances and being deserved winners but disappointingly the Lions know that this was a game that they let slip away rather than had it taken from them. Lessons to be learnt and a good first half foundation to build on over the next couple of weeks leading into a couple of tough games against Old Salts and Moseley Oak.'