FOR the second week running, Kidderminster Carolians suffered an agonising defeat — going down by a 19-18 at home to Spartans in Midlands Two West (South).

KCs started well and took the lead with an Andy McLellan penalty after the visitors’ front row was penalised at a scrum.

Another penalty opportunity was missed but, shortly afterwards, McLellan made no mistake when Spartans backs strayed offside.

Scrum-half Mark James broke down the blind side and fed McLellan, who made good ground before being bundled into touch deep in Spartans territory.

From the line-out, the visitors could only kick hastily into touch and KCs won their own ball cleanly to set up a catch-and-drive which ended with a try for prop Mark Oliver.

From a counter-attack, Spartans opened their account with a converted try.

The second period began with an interception try for the visitors’ outside-centre, with the conversion handing Spartans a 14-11 lead.

Two minutes later, the away team’s other centre took advantage of more flimsy KCs tackling for another try.

The hosts battled back and fly-half Tom Scandrett cut through for a try, which was well converted by McLellan to reduce the deficit to just one point and set up a grandstand finish.

However, Spartans managed to keep them at bay and the match ended with more disappointment for the Marlpool Lane men.