WELL-BEATEN Kidderminster Carolians could have no complaints about their 32-9 defeat at a young talented Lichfield in Midlands Three West (North).

The home side have been relegated three times in recent years but will soon climb back on this showing.

KCs, forced to make changes from the previous week, took a third minute lead through Tom Oakes' penalty.

But life was difficult for the visitors in the line-out due to a strong wind.

However, Oakes was on target with a second penalty to extend the lead in the 10th minute.

It took 17 minutes for Lichfield to get into the KCs' 22 but it was the break they needed.

They opened their account within two minutes through a converted try.

Promising 18-year-old Will Hill came on for his KCs debut and replaced another teenager, James Lloyd Jones, who went off with a leg injury.

KCs have used a good pack to dominate opponents this season but although Oakes kicked a third penalty, they never looked like breaking down Lichfield.

The second half became a nightmare as the home side regained the lead with an early converted try.

KCs introduced another teenager in North Midlands U-19s player Jon Easton, while Eddie Ross did well to save a certain try.

But Lichfield increased their lead to 17-9 with a penalty two minutes later.

The dominant hosts added three more tries in the last 16 minutes to run out worthy winners.

Team manager Phil Knowles said: "We were beaten by a good side. But our enforced changes from the team we picked on Tuesday did not help.

"Still, I thought we would have done better than we did. I am very disappointed with our performance."

KCs 2nds 19

Stourbridge Lions 52

Eleven changes from the previous week made KCs no match for experienced opposition who aim for league status next season.

KCs suffered their first defeat of the season but Iain Crockett and Dave Betson scored two good tries, one converted by the former, to make the half-time score 28-12.

But they continued to miss ruck ball although Ben Stanier's weaving run brought another try with Crockett converting.

Stourbridge Lions 2nds 27

KCs 3rds 7

It was not KCs' day as they conceded 12 points without reply in the second half.

Earlier, Geoff Hall scored a try and Ken Bickley converted.

Fixtures, Saturday: Ludlow v KCs (Intermediate Cup), Dudley-Kingswinford Wasps v 2nds, 3rds v D-K Scorpions (all 3pm).

KCs U-16s 13 Stourbridge 12

In an evenly balanced match, KCs U-16s just edged a victory in the North Midlands Cup preliminary round.

They opened the scoring in the 10th minute with an unconverted James Guest try but Stourbridge led 7-5 at the interval.

The match was held up for 10 minutes as two KCs players were taken to hospital by air ambulance.

Guest went over in the corner 15 minutes into the second half to regain the lead for KCs before Stuart Bromell kicked a penalty.

But Stourbridge replied with a try only to miss the decisive conversion by inches.