Kidderminster Carolians

After improved performances in recent weeks, KCs must go back to the drawing board following a reverse which leaves them in the bottom three.

KCs were unable to cope with the weight and strength of a Wednesbury side who now have a four point cushion over Andy Stooksbury's men.

Things started badly for the Marlpool Lane side who trailed to two tries after 10 minutes having hardly touched the ball.

KCs pulled themselves together and replied after 20 minutes when a good break by Chris Pinner led to James Whitehouse feeding Eddie Ross who touched down.

And they struck again when Dan Quinn charged down a kick and Pinner scored and converted a try.

Their joy was short-lived, however, with a 35 metre penalty from Andrew Howkins a minute before half-time gave Wednesbury a 15-12 interval advantage.

In the second half, the visitors continued to out-muscle their hosts and they soon went further ahead with a penalty and a two tries.

KCs did not lie down and were rewarded for their efforts with a Jon Taft try converted by Pinner.

But Wednesbury made the points safe late on when an interesting refereeing decision allowed Howkins to kick another penalty.

Coach Stooksbury said: "We didn't do ourselves justice and allowed the opposition to bully us. On the positive side the lineout worked well and the backs look dangerous."

KCs are due to visit Shrewsbury on Saturday in the Cup, but are still awaiting final confirmation.

KCs seconds were on the receiving end of a heavy 43-0 defeat to the University College Worcester.

There was another convincing victory for the all-conquering KCs thirds who defeated Bromsgrove fourths 34-0 in the Merit League.

KCs won the top-of-the-table clash with two tries from John-Jo Bryant. Martin Wright, Grant Stewart and Kes Giddings also scored.

Skipper Spencer Crockett kicked a penalty and two conversions, while Ian Crockett added a conversion.

KCs thirds remain top having won all of their nine games, scoring 277 points and conceding only 24 along the way.