STUTTERING Kidderminster Carolians said farewell to any hopes of promotion from Midlands Three West (North) following a 23-15 defeat at Shrewsbury.

The Marlpool Lane men looked comfortable in the early stages but failed to take full advantage in a similar style to the Willenhall defeat earlier this month.

KCs started well and took a 3-0 lead with a well-struck penalty from stand-off Tom Oakes by the touchline.

Shrewsbury raided the KCs' 22 and caused all sorts of problems, gaining a penalty to level the scores.

But the visitors got back into gear and a good drive saw hooker Stuart Such touch down for a try.

Oakes' conversion extended the lead and then Andy Webber went over for a second unconverted try.

Shrewsbury were using spoiling tactics which often went unpunished but they kicked a penalty and scored a try to finish the half just 15-11 down.

With two speedy wingers, KCs really needed the ball out wide but it did not happen.

Shrewsbury kicked another penalty but then had a player sent off for elbowing an opponent in the face.

But KCs failed to take control and though they were penalised by some controversial refereeing decisions it did not excuse their lack of drive.

They seemed unable to change their game plan and made life far too easy for the home side.

Shrewsbury enjoyed six more kicks at goal, scoring three more penalties to ensure a win that could let them avoid relegation for the second year running.

With Stoke losing 21-15 at Burton, KCs would have still been in with a chance of a play-off spot if they had won.

KCs 2nds 96 Shrewsbury 0

The firsts could have done with some of these points from a completely one-sided match.

KCs produced 16 tries with Ben Stirling, Russell Slater, Matt Such, Jon Shires and Barry Turner all scoring two each.

There were single scores for Rob Preston, Chris Smith, Giovanni Iacono, Ken Bickley, Matt Greene and Brett Toole.

Bickley kicked three conversions and Toole five.

A victory at Hereford on Saturday is likely to secure the Merit Table for KCs in the first season of the competition.

KCS 3rds 51

Dudley Kingswinford 5ths 5

KCs had some trepidation in taking on Dudley but it was misplaced.

Ben Stanier had scored a try within minutes and it was followed by three more from Tom Such, Spencer Crockett and Richard Bishop.

Crockett converted two of them to make it 24-0 at half time.

Dudley responded with a try but KCs struck again with three more scores from Stanier and one apiece for Bishop and Matt Rigsby.

Crockett converted just one of them, while Rigsby and Mark James were the best players.

Fixtures, Saturday: KCs 1sts v Stourbridge 2nds (2.30pm), Hereford v 2nds, 3rds v Old Halesonians.