THE second team took centre stage with a 24-14 beating of Ledbury in the Merit Table after Kidderminster Carolians firsts' game was cancelled.

Ledbury were unable to find any prop forwards for the friendly but did send a complete seconds' side to Marlpool Lane.

Meanwhile, KCs firsts resume Midlands Three West (North) duty on Saturday with a key trip to Shrewsbury which they need to win to maintain an outside chance of promotion.

The second string led 17-0 at the interval on Saturday after improving on a slow start but their visitors remained stubborn opponents throughout.

Barry Turner (two), Ambro Neri and Iain Crockett scored the tries, while Crockett and Tom Oakes kicked one conversion each.

KCs have three games left having collected 22 points and Hereford are four games behind on 12.

The two sides meet in Herefordshire on March 22 and it could be the decider for the Section A table.

KCs 3rds 21 Chaddesley Corbett 12

Eddie Ross (two) and Paul Weston dived over for tries with Spencer Crockett converting all three.

Fixtures, Saturday: Shrewsbury v KCs, 1sts and 3rds away, 2nds home (all 3pm).