THE two unbeaten Midlands Three West North sides will meet on Saturday after Kidderminster Carolians won their third game at home to Burntwood 19-12.

KCs entertain Aston Old Edwardians in a battle of the early pace-setters but must stop giving away silly tries.

They continued their 100 per cent league record on Saturday against a physical side who gave away too many penalties.

Andy Stooksbury kicked one to put KCs ahead inside a minute, adding two more and missing one by the 21st minute.

Burntwood were quite adventurous in attack but KCs were able to stop most of the danger and also benefited from the visitors deciding to run every penalty award.

The home side failed to grab a try close to half-time after scrum-half Ben Stirling and winger Ambro Neri chased a long kick ahead without touching down.

KCs looked comfortable through their impressive pack in a tough game on a bone-hard pitch.

The second half produced four tries with the first coming from Neri in the 46th minute though Stooksbury missed the conversion.

But Burntwood quickly closed the gap with two tries from flanker Ben Davies making the scoreline 14-12.

Davies swooped in the 52nd and 55th minutes as the defensive cover slipped up but Matt Sishton could only convert one.

KCs confirmed their victory as a superb move led to Neri darting over on the left gave them a seven-point lead.

However, Burntwood gave them a shock in injury-time when an awkward bounce from a clearance nearly caused trouble but the Kidderminster side recovered.

Team manager Phil Knowles declared: "It was a tough battle but our front five were in superb form.

"It is difficult to field a settled side at the moment so we are not playing at our best but the team spirit is tremendous and this is getting us the right results.

"We have tended to relax in defensive situations but this is improving.

"We have a big game ahead against Aston Old Eds next week but with the right attitude we can cope."

Burntwood 31 KCs 2nds 10

An under-strength seconds more than competed in the scrums and line-outs but the home team's backs used all their experience.

Following injuries, KCs went down to 13 men but played with plenty of spirit.

Dave Jones scored a try for them, converted by Ken Bickley, and stand-in skipper Darren Carthew kicked a penalty.

KCs 3rds 20 Burntwood 8

The developing thirds produced a good display boosted by good playmaking from Tim Wagstaff who worked well with man-of-the-match Phil Mees.

Peter Gurr grabbed an excellent try, running at blinding pace almost the length of the pitch.

Other scores were added by first-teamer Jason Sunderland in his comeback from injury, James Bennett and Geoff Mills.

Fixtures, Saturday: KCs v Aston Old Eds, 1sts and 3rds home, 2nds away (all 3pm).