HIGH-FLYING Kidderminster Carolians finished third in Midlands Three West (North) after hammering the final nail in Old Halesonians' relegation coffin with a 25-16 away win.

But there was a tinge of sadness at KCs as their old friends and near neighbours are likely to suffer the drop.

KCs introduced Matt Such at scrum-half to link up with the recalled Andy Stooksbury as Ben Stanier opted not to play.

Skipper Adrian Taft admitted it was not an easy game but was delighted to have finished the campaign on a high note.

Taft singled out Jason Sunderland, Stuart Such and Eddie Ross but felt the team stuck to their guns in tricky circumstances.

It was never going to be an enjoyable game and the first half was fairly dour.

Seb Rose put Old Hales in front with a penalty after just seven minutes but Ross opened KCs' account against his former club with a try 10 minutes later.

Rose kicked two more penalties to put the home side 9-5 ahead but KCs led at the interval thanks to a try by Matt Smith.

KCs opened strongly in the second half with Jon Mounter replacing M Such who dislocated a finger.

The visitors pushed their opponents at least 30 yards with a good drive and Ross Baxter added a third try six minutes into the half, converted by Stooksbury.

Hard-working Jason Sunderland was rewarded with a superb try in the 56th minute, covering 55 yards with two players chasing to touch down.

At 22-9 it looked all over but had other ideas and centre Ian Cutler went over for a converted try.

It had been a lively second half and KCs had to pull out the stops to keep Old Hales out.

Relief came with a Stooksbury penalty in the final minutes to make it 25-16.

KCs 2nds 29 Old Hales 10

Another good win for the seconds was achieved at the cost of a few injuries.

KCs' pack were in great form and drove the visitors back in the opening minutes, producing a try for high-scoring Crockett.

But Crockett suffered a hamstring injury and replacement Dave Betson was also forced off with James Rowley taking his place.

Despite all these setbacks, KCs scored again with Grant Stewart's quick penalty setting up Ross Wilson for a 10-3 half-time lead.

The third try in the second half was a real solo effort as Bruce Hodges stole the ball from a scrum and raced over the line.

Ian Doidge, playing his first game of the season, scored the next try and also converted it.

Old Hales came back into the game with a converted try but KCs had the last word as Jon Shires supplied Peter Gurr for the fifth score, converted by Doidge.

KCs 3rds 20 Luctonians 4ths 25

Luctonians stepped in at the last minute to play and their short team was boosted by KCs' hooker Mick Crocker and winger Joe Royall who ran in two tries.

Joe's son Michael turned out for KCs and scored one try but Luctonians were 20-15 up at half-time and edged the second period.

Other scorers were Ben Stirling, Andy Hughes and Chris Jones who impressed along with Dave Jones.

Fixture, Saturday: KCs 1sts v Stafford, Burntwood v 2nds, 3rds v Burntwood (all 3pm).