KIDDERMINSTER Carolians Rugby Club missed the chance to put pressure on their relegation rivals with a 7-6 defeat at home to fellow strugglers Wednesbury.

In arguably the most vital game of the season, with the teams starting out a point apart in Carolians' favour, the hosts were unable to repeat the 16-11 victory in the reverse fixture in December.

The result, coupled with defeats for sides around them, leaves Carolians second from bottom in Midlands Three West (North) but with a game in hand against Wolverhampton next Saturday.

With a strong wind at their backs, KCs opened up a six-point lead inside the first five minutes with two Andy Stooksbury penalties.

The visitors almost scored a try on 10 minutes but it was left to Ambro Neri to put his man into touch just short of the line.

Wednesbury launched an all-out offensive and came close to scoring twice within seconds. They finally moved the ball out left and winger Douglas Morgan crossed the line with nobody close to him.

Stand-off Andrew Hawkins converted for 7-6.

The nearest KCs came to scoring in the early stages of the second-half was a 35-yard penalty from Greg Fincher who had moved to stand-off in place of Stooksbury. He was faced with a strong headwind and never got close.

Despite the Kidderminster lineout working well and Matt Bennett winning some good balls, they lost the second phase play far too often.

The game became a stalemate, and only in the final minute did it look as if the hosts would score.

Neri set off on a run and looked as if he might reach the line only to be foiled by two opponents.

Neri was the one real bright light for KCs, and, as he is talkng about retirement, they are going to have to fill a big gap in their ranks.

n Bromsgrove virtually assured their Midlands One status for next season with a 26-22 victory at fourth-bottom Whitchurch.

The Finstall Park side, relegated when fifth-bottom two years ago, are now six places above basement boys Mansfield.