KIDDERMINSTER Carolians began life in Midlands One West with defeat against Stoke last Saturday.

Newly-promoted KCs made a blistering start to the contest when they took an early lead from the kick-off after capitalising on a Stoke handling error in their own 22.

The ball was quickly gathered by Alex Royal who raced over for an early lead.

However, it was a lead they could hold for long. Within two minutes Stoke struck back when KCs lost a line out on their own throw which led to a series of powerful drives by the Stoke forwards to create a try which was converted for them to lead 7-5.

With eight minutes of the game gone the home side regained the lead when a powerful run from Ryan Tiene from some 40 yards out produced a try which was converted by Rhys Pritchard for Kidderminster to lead 12-7.

The Stoke pack were becoming more dominant and KC’s were having some difficulty in obtaining possession as the half wore on.

Three converted tries before the break saw Stoke lead 26-12 at half time.

Kidderminster started the second half well and reduced the deficit when a fluent handling move saw Will Fallows held up in the corner. The ball was recycled quickly to allow Andy McLellan to crash over from short range and Rhys Pritchard to add the conversion making the score 19-26.

But within two minutes Stoke increased their lead as another lost lineout was punished to make it 33-19.

Ruthless Stoke ran in four more tries, three of which were converted, to make the final score 59-19.

Carolinas will look for their first win when they go to Stourbridge Lions this Saturday.