KIDDERMINSTER Carolians travelled home happy after playing far better than a 48-18 NPI Cup third round defeat at Old Laurentians might suggest.

They had a good second half but were left with a big struggle after trailing 29-6 from the first period against their Midlands West Two opposition who had been beaten just once.

With veteran prop Paul Drew re-signed, the scrum looked more solid than in recent weeks and this gave young scrum-half Ben Stirling a chance to put in a good performance.

Had the refereeing of the line-outs been a little stricter then KCs would have fared better in that department but they certainly matched the home team in the set scrums.

Some nervous defending gave Laurentians a healthy start, leading 15-0 after 20 minutes through two tries, a conversion and a penalty.

KCs added to their long injury list when Matt Greene replaced Darren Carthew and the home team attacked continuously.

They added a further converted try before Andy McLellan kicked two penalties for Kidderminster sandwiching a fourth Laurentians' try.

Just as they did in the first half, Laurentians put some early points on the board and were 41-6 ahead inside 10 minutes.

But KCs were looking a far better team with hooker Rob Preston doing well and the aggression of Jason Sunderland and Mark Cleeton making inroads.

Just as things were looking up, yet more players came off injured as second-row forward Simon Wilks was replaced by Matt Poole and prop forward Chris Wright came off for Giovanni Iacono.

However, the tide turned for KCs as they claimed two tries in just over 10 minutes through Sunderland after a series of penalties and then a scrum 30 yards out created another for winger Eddie Ross.

McLellan converted but the home team added another converted try just before the final whistle.

The visit of old rivals Birmingham Exiles - who have won just one out of five - for a league game next Saturday will give KCs a chance of some league points.

Bromsgrove 2nds 60 KCs 2nds 17

The scoreline does not do justice to what was a close contest with a club from a higher division.

KCs camped in the Bromsgrove half for long periods in the first half but the final pass often missed the mark as KCs played some nice flowing rugby without scoring.

Winger Barry Turner managed a try but Bromsgrove were 17-5 ahead at half-time and surged further ahead early in the second period.

However, more KCs pressure produced a score for Ian Doidge through a nice jinking run and Tom Oakes converted.

And they kept their spirit despite a powerful final quarter for the home team and scrum-half Martin Bevan charged down a kick to score in the corner.

Unluckily, Oakes hit the outside of the post with a very long conversion kick.

KCs 3rds 12 Bromsgrove 3rds 62

A fit and well-organised Bromsgrove side gave KCs little chance.

Two new players, flanker Robert Thompson and centre Geoff Mills scored tries for Kidderminster, with Darren Watkins converting one of them.

Fixtures, Saturday: KCs 1sts v Birmingham Exiles, Exiles v 2nds, 3rds v Exiles (all 2.15pm).