KIDDERMINSTER Carolians Rugby Club made a winning start to their Midlands Three West (North) campaign when they beat Telford 11-9 at Marlpool Lane on Saturday.

But they will need to improve if they are to make an impact in the higher division because they made far too many mistakes and wasted a hosted of scoring chances.

They defended well and flanker Simon Northcott and full-back Adrian Taft had outstanding matches, but the home side were out of sorts in attack.

Telford opened the scoring with a penalty in the 17th minute but Andy McLellan missed an opportunity to draw the home side level when he failed with a kick.

Ian Crockett equalised in the 31st minute with an easier penalty, and he gave a repeat performance to make it 6-6 at the break after Telford had edged ahead again.

KCs' superior fitness began to tell in the second half and they were rewarded with a superb try in the 46th minute.

A move involving Bevan, Baxter, Northcott and Crockett ended with them releasing skipper Taft who sailed through the visitors' defence to touch down.

Telford hit back with their third penalty but KCs missed further scoring opportunities to extend their lead and should have won by a bigger margin.

Telford 2nd 17 KCs 2nd 18

Despite many changes, this was an excellent win against a strong side.

The first half was dominated by Kidderminster with Tom Oakes opening the scoring with a penalty.

Following good work by the forwards, Dave Horne went over for a try. They added another through Pete Floydd which came from a maul and drive by the pack.

Oakes converted and added another penalty, but Telford did not give up and scored a try just before half-time to trail 18-5.

KCs spent most of the second half defending and Telford scored two tries, one converted, but the visitors held on for a nail-biting victory

KCs 3rd 20 Telford 3rd 17

A good sporting game that rewarded KCs for some hard work.

KCs led 15-10 at half time with full-back Ken Bickley scoring a try which winger James Bennett converted. He also kicked a penalty.

Centre Stuart Royall added a second try, but the visitors also snatched two unconverted tries to make it 15-10 at the interval.

In the second half, KCs went further ahead when prop Dave Allsop crossed for their third try, but Telford retaliated and grabbed a converted try in the last minute.

Fixtures, Saturday: 1st XV home v Aston Old Edwardians (Midlands Three West), 2nd XV away v Aston (a), 3rd XV home v Aston. All kick-offs 3pm.