THE full strength of Kidderminster Carolians' squad was again evident as they won their final Midlands Three West (North) game 27-0 at high-flying Old Halesonians.

Before Christmas, KCs had won just one of eight league games but 2001 has seen them enjoy seven victories out of 10.

And importantly they have beaten all the top teams during the spell.

That record now includes Old Halesonians who had never failed to score in a game before Saturday but were bettered in every department.

With the game switched to Haybridge High School in Hagley, KCs were leading 7-0 by half-time.

They had shown Old Hales were not going to find it easy to penetrate a solid defence on a day for retaining the ball.

Both sides found the wet ball difficult to handle but KCs were in superb form in the line-outs with Simon Wilks impressive.

Good throw-ins by hooker Stuart Such made KCs dominant in this department.

It took 25 minutes for the first try and it came from Barry Turner with assistance from Ross Baxter and Andy Stooksbury. Stooksbury converted.

Stooksbury kicked a penalty within three minutes of the restart and this was followed by their second try.

Pressure near the home team line brought a try for flanker Simon Northcott with Stooksbury again converting.

Stooksbury added three more points from a penalty then Old Hales had a man sin-binned for dissent to the referee.

In fairness to Old Hales, they never gave up the fight and took the game to KCs but there was a solid wall waiting.

Replacement Jon Taft was soon in action, crashing through for a try with less than 15 minutes remaining which Stooksbury again converted.

Coach Ross Baxter was delighted that the team coped superbly despite the game requiring a different style.

Baxter felt Wilks, Such and Andy McLellan played well but considered it had been an all-round team performance.

He admitted he was sorry the league season had ended just when KCs were showing they have so much to offer.

KCs are touring France over Easter so no games are expected this weekend.

KCs 2nds 8 Old Halesonians 41

The Marlpool Lane men are yet to win the Kidderminster Carolians RFC 2nd XV Cup in 14 years of competition.

After just failing to win last year, KCs failed to pose any threat this time around against well-organised opposition.

The writing was on the wall from the start and by the 30th minute they were leading 20-3.

KCs' only score came from a 26th penalty kicked by stand-off Tom Oakes while Old Hales had two tries and a penalty.

The visitors were also awarded a penalty try which was converted.

Home hopes were raised when flanker Andy Halkon scored a try after a mistake by an Old Hales defender.

But they struck back straightaway with a converted try to lead 27-8 at half time.

The game was spoilt by the rain but KCs were having a big off-day.

Old Hales scored two further converted tries to run out deserved but very easy winners.

KCs U-17s 43 Bournville 0

The teenagers were soon 12-0 up with two tries and a conversion from Tom Scandrett.

Further tries followed from Tom Guest and Ben Stanier, plus another Scandrett conversion, which meant KCs were 24-0 ahead at half-time.

In the second half, second-row Andy Butler ran 50 metres for a score and James Hine crashed over from short range then Guest scored his second try.

Scandrett added two more conversions.

England U-16s A 3

Wales U-16s A 18

Kidderminster staged an international for the first time and a large crowd enjoyed a competitive clash.

England included replacement Daniel James, son of the former KCs hooker Mark.

Wales proved the better side, scoring three tries and a penalty to England's one penalty early in the second half.