A 19-6 away success took Kidderminster Carolians into third place in Midlands Three West (North) with their best winning margin over Telford for some years.

However, the match was not an exciting spectacle and the home side will be kicking themselves for failing to score in the opening 20 minutes when they pegged KCs back in their own half.

Only an Eddie Ross tackle saved a try in the 13th minute and while neither side were in good form at the line-out, KCs' front five certainly mastered their opposite numbers.

And they opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when Telford lost the ball after a scrum and the visitors worked the ball to the left.

Ambro Neri headed for the line and scored a fine try with Andy Stooksbury converting.

KCs always looked dangerous when they moved the ball out but the same could be said for Telford on more than one occasion.

Within three minutes, Stooksbury had kicked a penalty to extend the lead.

But Telford scored their first points when stand-off Andy Halliday was on the mark with a penalty just before half-time.

Halliday added another penalty within four minutes of the second half to close the gap to 10-6.

KCs had a player sin-binned in the 53rd minute as did Telford five minutes later.

And the latter incident gave Stooksbury a chance for three points from another penalty which he took.

KCs were now in charge as Stooksbury put in some superb clearances deep into the Telford 22.

He also added two more penalties in the 68th and 75th minutes to increase the margin of victory.

Prop Ben Turner and second-row forward forward Jon Easton both put in good displays.

The home team could not break the KCs defence when they moved into attack and the Wyre Forest men completed a good result that will give them confidence for Saturday's trip to Camp Hill in the Intermediate Cup third round.

Stand-off Stooksbury said: "We made hard work of the win and never established a good enough platform. But it was a pleasing victory at a ground where we never do very well."

Meanwhile, the game against Camp Hill is a case of lightning striking twice for KCs.

They already must face them in the North Midlands Cup on Sunday, November 25.

KCs know they face a hard game but they will not be overawed despite Hill playing two divisions above them.

The Birmingham side are not the force they used to be and KCs defeated them 38-14 in a home friendly in the 1997/98 season.

Telford 19 KCs 3rds 15

A great game of rugby saw Ken Bickley give the visitors the lead with a try and conversion.

However, Telford replied with a try to make it 7-5 at half-time.

Ron Preston increased KCs' lead in the second half with a try but the home team fought back.

They added two converted scores to make it 19-12 and a Bickley penalty arrived too late. Mark Spargo had an outstanding game though.

Fixtures, Saturday: Camp Hill v KCs 1sts (Cup, 2.30pm), 2nds v Malvern, Stourbridge 5ths v 4ths (both 2.15pm).