THERE was great relief at Marlpool Lane as Kidderminster Carolians finally won their first match of the season in Midlands Three West (North).

But KCs made heavy weather of defeating Old Saltleians 33-14 after trailing by a single point at the interval.

After losing five in a row, they were on top for most of the game but found it difficult to finish the opposition off.

In the opening 10 minutes, the home side put good moves together with full-back Adrian Taft and centre Dan Quinn lively.

Skipper Eddie Ross was pulled up just yards short of scoring a try on the right wing on nine minutes before Andy Stooksbury kicked his 14th penalty of the season.

The team's fourth try of the season, scored by a forward once again, gave them an 8-0 lead on 21 minutes.

A short penalty led to second-row man Matt Bennett smashing his way over for an unconverted effort.

KCs were guilty of poor passing and a move broke down to allow Old Salts to score a converted try from near their own 22-metre line.

Matt Poole touched down to extend the KCs lead on the half-hour mark but they were then punished for a lack of concentration by a try which was again converted.

KCs opted not to kick a close penalty yet could not capitalise on the move and were 14-13 down at the break.

Old Salts just missed out with an early drop-goal attempt but the match was then played in their half.

It took 22 minutes for KCs to eventually regain the lead with two quick Stooksbury penalties.

There was a long delay for an ambulance when a visiting player suffered a head injury but, when the game restarted, KCs forged further ahead.

Number eight Mark Cleeton ran clear for a try and Poole added a second with Stooksbury converting both.

KCs had at last broken the longest string of losses that anyone at the club could remember.

Director of rugby Phil Knowles admitted KCs should have secured the game earlier and scored more points.

But Knowles believes the result will relieve some pressure and was pleased with the overall display.

He singled out Poole, Taft and Quinn for praise but will be looking for the backs to chip in with some tries.

Evesham 24 KCs 2nds 18

Owen Jones, Carl Whitehead and Giovanni Iacono scored KCs' tries with Tom Oakes kicking a penalty.

KCs 3rds 43 Evesham 21

KCs remain unbeaten as new blood and several old heads are hopefully laying the foundations for the future.

Lol Round fed Jack Tunstall for the opening converted try.

Richard Wakefield, back from injury, scored a trademark chip-and-run effort, added to further converted tries from Round and James Guest.

Round added the extra points to Steve Price's try. Billy Chiverton and Mike Green completed the scoring.

Fixtures, Saturday: Pershore v KCs 2nds, 3rds v Pershore (11.30am). Sunday: Dixonians v KCs 1sts (North Midlands Cup, at Kings Norton RFC, 3pm)