KIDDERMINSTER Carolians gave their fans some hope with a promising 18-17 friendly win over Camp Hill on Saturday.

The Midlands Three West North strugglers dug deep to chalk up a morale-boosting win over a mid-table outfit from the Southern equivalent.

After 13 weeks of league and cup rugby, it was a pleasant change for KCs who experimented to good effect by bringing in three teenagers.

James Guest, James White and Owen Jones performed with credit, showing a good turn of speed and potential for the future.

Flanker Russell Port, an experienced player who has moved from Dudley Kingswinford, immediately caught the eye.

Director of rugby Phil Knowles said: "We had a very good first half, perhaps playing better than we have done all season. It gave the three young lads a lot of encouragement.

"We lost our way in the second half with our defence going to pot at times. But I was pleased with the pack.

"The front five performed well and Giovanni Iacono looked sharp on the back row.

"Russell Port will get even better and will link well with Mark Cleeton. Centre Will Hill once again showed what he can be capable of.

"Let's hope we can can carry this form over into Saturday's league match at home to Willenhall."

The opening four minutes produced dazzling KCs rugby as superb passing and running was rewarded with an early try.

A line-out close to the Camp Hill line led to a maul and Port was on hand to score.

With KCs pack in control, it looked like more tries might arrive but the only reward was an Andy Stooksbury penalty on 19 minutes.

The visitors played their part in a good open game, taking advantage by intercepting a pass and running the whole pitch to score.

But KCs went further ahead on the half-hour as they pushed Camp Hill back from a scrum following a failed appeal for a try.

Mark Cleeton eventually touched down to increase KCs' lead to 13-5 at the interval.

Camp Hill hit back in the second half with a try within four minutes as gaps appeared in the KCs defence.

But the home side gathered themselves to score a third try before the hour mark through replacement scrum-half Ben Stirling.

Stirling dived over following a line-out and strong maul close to the Camp Hill line.

But Camp Hill replied inside four minutes with a converted try to leave a narrow final scoreline.

Aston Old Eds 21 KCs 2nds 17

The KCs pack had the measure of their opponents from the start of a spirited game.

They could not turn the advantage into points and trailed at half-time but enjoyed more luck in the second period.

Two tries gave KCs the lead but Aston responded against the run of play with two converted efforts.

Dave Betson had an excellent game at centre for KCs and Russ Slater looks to have returned to form.

Try-scorers were Nathan Small, Slater and Billy Chiverton, while Iain Crockett kicked one conversion.

KCs 3rds 51 Aston Old Edwardians 34

The thirds claimed a ninth win from 14 outings, leading 24-12 at the interval with tries from Laurie Potter (two) and the impressive Pete Warn.

Matt Woodward kicked three conversions and a penalty, while Aston's points were from two tries and a conversion.

Paul Warman grabbed an early-second half try but Aston struck back with a converted try and a penalty.

Matt Rigsby, Andy Webber (two) and Phil Meese all added to the tally with tries along with Andy Bennett's one conversion.

Aston showed plenty of fight to claim two tries with one converted.

Fixtures, Saturday: KCs 1sts v Willenhall, 2nds v Dudley Kingswinford Scorpions, Dixonians v 3rds (all 2.15pm).