STRONG-tackling Kidderminster Carolians eased through to North Midlands Cup round two with a 23-3 win over league rivals Shrewsbury.

Although they worked hard, the Shropshire side were unable to put KCs under too much pressure.

Neither team will have found much to savour but a place in the next round will do KCs no harm as they try to reduce their injury and unavailability list.

They tend to have too many changes from game to game but have still won five of their seven matches.

Richard Wakefield appeared on the left wing after just one first-team outing as a 10-minute replacement and proved to be one of the heroes.

Shrewsbury wasted an easy penalty inside the first two minutes but KCs soon hit attacking mode to produce a 17th-minute try.

From a line-out, the ball was passed out left and Wakefield went over for his first try.

A scrappy first half ended with a player from each side sin-binned and Andy Stooksbury kicked his third drop-goal of the season to extend the interval score to 8-0.

James Lloyd Jones missed two long-range penalties but Shrewsbury stand-off Matt Morris landed one in the 54th minute.

Within 10 minutes, Stooksbury had responded with another to hold off any potential comeback from the visitors.

KCs did not look back and lock forward Matt Poole grabbed a converted try on 70 minutes after a good drive.

Wakefield rounded off a good game with his second try close to the end.

Coach Ross Baxter said: "It was a workmanlike performance and the players responded well in the second half, following a call for a much bigger effort than in the opening half.

"I thought we looked dangerous when we ran it wide and our defensive back-line was very good.

KCs return to Midlands Three West North action on Saturday with a trip to Shropshire strugglers Newport.

KCs 2nds 19 Ludlow 7

Much-changed KCs started slowly and soon went a converted try down to their rivals before settling after the first 15 minutes to dominate the line-outs and scrums.

Barry Turner was held up after a quick line-out but good support from man-of-the-match Mick Crocker saw him touch down.

Iain Crockett converted and KCs' forwards took the game to their opponents.

They were soon rewarded when winger Russ Slater crashed over in the corner and Iain Crockett converted.

But KCs eased off the gas in the second period despite Brett Toole's late unconverted try.

Dudley Kingswinford Hawks 36 KCs 3rds 6

KCs trailed 12-3 at half time after a single penalty from Spencer Crockett.

S Crockett kicked a second penalty but the loss of Geoff Mills through injury in the final period did not help.

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