KIDDERMINSTER Carolians enjoyed some much needed Christmas cheer by showing plenty of spirit to end their five game losing run with a vital victory at Wednesbury.

The 16-11 win at Wednesbury puts KCs back in touch with their relegation rivals at the foot of Midlands Three West North.

Although it was not the greatest game of rugby from a spectator's point of view, both teams worked non-stop for the whole of the game.

It was a competitive clash, but thanks to good refereeing was played in a sporting manner by two sides desperate for points. Only some tremendous defensive work kept Wednesbury out.

It started well for KCs with Andy Stooksbury kicking a penalty after four minutes and although he missed a kick moments later, he made up for it by putting over in the ninth minute to give KCs a 6-0 lead.

Wednesbury pulled back to 6-3 with an Andy Hawkins penalty. He wasted the chance to level the score when he missed a second kick.

The hosts have one of the tallest sets of posts in the game with a height of 125 feet and Stooksbury rattled one of them with another unsuccessful kick on 19 minutes.

Wednesbury's hefty pack took some handling and eventually rumbled over for the first try through James Bentley to lead 8-6 at half time.

With the sides returning to the field after a well-deserved break the penalties came thick and fast with Stooksbury converting one of two and Hawkins kicking one to make it 11-9 to the hosts.

The one black mark against KCs was their poor line out work as they failed to win more than a couple throughout the game. This gave the home team lots of ball and tested the Kidderminster defence who were in no mood to let anyone pass. Everyone played their part, and no one more than Nathan Small who had a superb game. Ben Turner, as usual, played full out and both wingers, Andy Webber and Ambro Neri never shirked a tackle.

It was Turner who started the move that finally brought KCs a try with skipper Eddie Ross taking possession and powering his way over the line and Stooksbury's conversion made it 16-11 in the 52nd minute.

Wednesbury would not lie down and KCs were under a lot of pressure, but there was no way through. The referee had to add five minutes for injury time and there was a bit sigh of relief from the Kidderminster supporters when he finally blew.

Wednesbury will be disappointed not to get greater reward for their honest endeavours, but for once no one can criticise Kidderminster for a lack of effort or commitment.

KCs lost 25-8 at Old Saltleians on November in one of their worst performances for years and will be looking for revenge in the return fixture at Marlpool Lane at 2.30pm on Saturday.

The seconds ran out comfortable 68-10 winners against Wednesbury after lending the visitors a couple of players in a 14-a-side game.

James Guest led the scoring with a hat-trick, while there were braces for Mark Whittard, Dave Betson and Owen Jones who also added a conversion. Iain Crockett scored a try and three conversions, while Mick Crocker and Matt Such also crossed.

Paul Weston signed off in style with a hat-trick for the thirds but he was unable to stop them losing 24-22 to Bromsgrove.

Weston, who is leaving to live in Australia, scored twice before the break, with Russ Slater also on target as they led 15- 5.

But although he completed his treble, converted by Spencer Crockett, Bromsgrove recovered to shade the close encounter.