A FRIENDLY pitting Kidderminster Carolians against old rivals Aston Old Edwardians highlighted the growing gap between them.

Since they were promoted from Midlands Three West North in 2003, Aston have become stronger as their 31-5 away wi proved.

KCs opened the scoring early on when an Aston clearance was charged down and Eddie Ross stormed over for a try.

But that was to be their only score as the visitors dominated proceedings, running in four converted tries and a penalty.

Despite the scoreline it was a useful exercise for KCs who gave an encouraging debut to 18-year-old Greg Fincher, a former Worc-ester Royal Grammar School player with three England under-16 caps.

Director of rugby Phil Knowles still has players missing ahead of this weekend's visit of Lichfield to Marlpool Lane, but hopes the injury list will shorten.

KCs have never beaten Lichfield in six league matches and are keeping their fingers crossed it's seventh time lucky. Kick off is at 2.30pm on Saturday.

A brace of tries and two conversions from Paul Weston, plus a John Laight try were not enough to prevent the thirds losing 29-19 at home to Old Halesonians.

They entertain Pershore on Saturday, while the seconds are away to Pers-hore.

Cleobury Mortimer emerged victorious from the Norman Wilson Memorial match at Clee Hill after edging it 5-0.

Julian Harding's try was all that separated the sides in a game that was a far cry from Cleobury's 40-0 pre-season friendly win.

The winning score arrived in the second half when the fly-half took the ball on his own from a penalty and skipped over the line.

On Saturday, Cleobury return to League action away at Handsworth.

The seconds are hoping to host Whitchurch fourths but have been left clicking their heels recently because of late cancellations.

Chaddesley Corbett are sweating on the fitness of captain Carl Booth for their return to North Midlands Two South action away at Clee Hill on Saturday.

He spent last Saturday in hospital with a back injury and missed the 22-3 friendly defeat at Warley.

Rowan Vorster's penalty was all Chaddesley had to show for their efforts despite it being closer than the scoreline suggests.

The seconds also suffered a 20-0 loss at home to Warley with their plans disrupted by several players covering in the firsts. They play host to Clee Hill seconds on Saturday.

Stourport lost a home friendly 24-20 to Welshpool after taking a break from North Midlands Two South.

Against strong visitors, Stourport put in a solid display and there was no shame in the result.

Stourport's points came from Lee Philp with a try, a penalty and a conversion, while Matt Willis and Craig Baylis also touched down.

They are without a game this weekend.

Despite some heroic tackling, the seconds struggled to cope with a very fit and fast University Worcester side as they slumped to a 62-10 defeat.

Late selection problems disrupted the consistency and rhythm of the Stourport side and every time Wor-cester got possession they threatened.

Stourport scored two good tries from Andrew Pav and Steve McDonald while Adam Price and Ed Osborn had tries controversially disallowed.

They entertain Redditch at 2.30pm on Saturday.