STRUGGLING Kidderminster Carolians were over-whelmed by Lichfield in the second half as they crashed to a 37-7 Midlands Three West (North) defeat.
But director of rugby Phil Knowles was not unduly upset by the result and admitted KCs were short of players this season.
Knowles said: "I thought they would over-run us in the opening period but we came back strongly in the closing stages of the half and might easily have got on level terms.
"We should have opted to kick for goal with one of the penalties but that happens in the heat of battle.
"We are short of players and had to make three changes but that is happening regularly."
Mark Cleeton again showed his commitment to be KCs' outstanding player as they were only losing 5-0 at the interval.
Lichfield had totally dominated play in the opening of phases but could not add to Matty Brown's 10th-minute try.
A strong wind did not help with either the conversion or a penalty three minutes later and KCs hit back, going close to scoring on several occasions.
Too much haste denied the visitors three points as they opted to run a kick-able penalty which then led to nothing.
Two other kicks at goal produced similar results but they were not from such an easy position.
In the second half, KCs barely got to grips with a side who grew in confidence and conceded a second try to John Hicks within five minutes.
Brown scored his second but Lichfield's kicker again missed the target and KCs at last found a way onto the scoresheet.
Ben Turner hacked ahead and beat the defender to touch down for a try which Andy Stooksbury converted.
With the score at 15-7, KCs were in with a chance but Lichfield made good progress when running with the ball.
Centre James Clark added another try for the home side with scrum-half Russell Clarke on target with his first kick in five converting.
Clarke continued his new-found form to kick a penalty four minutes later.
KCs could not come to terms with their opposition as Ben Martin added a converted try and Brown completed his hat-trick on 72 minutes.
The club are trying to get a pool fixture on Saturday in preparation for the last league match of 2003 against Willenhall on Saturday, December 20.
KCs 2nds 36 Shrewsbury 0
After a slow start and losing Mark Spargo with a neck injury, KCs got into gear with Iain Crockett running the show.
There were two tries each for James Guest and Crockett along with one apiece for Dave Betson and Russell Slater. Crockett also kicked three conversions in a good display.
Shrewsbury 13 KCs 3rds 7
Billy Chiverton scored a try for KCs in a good start for the visitors and Matt Woodward converted.
Shrewsbury replied with an unconverted try before the interval but KCs lost their skipper to injury so the game carried on with uncontested scrums.
The home side added a try and a penalty but were denied more by great tackles as flanker Pete Warn starred for the Marlpool Lane men.
KCs ladies team has now started up and anyone interested in joining in can head to the ground for training on Thursday evenings.
Fixtures, Saturday: Aston Old Edwardiands v KCs 2nds, 3rds v Aston Old Eds (2.30pm).
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