MIDLANDS Three West (North) champions Shrewsbury were brought down to earth by impressive Kidderminster Carolians on Saturday.

KCs won 26-6 and created a bit of history with both the town's football and rugby clubs beating the Shropshire opposition on the same day.

They became only the second team to beat Shrewsbury in the league, having just failed to win January's 21-20 away defeat.

The visitors can have no complaints about the latest result and KCs should have won by more in a good, committed game.

Club skipper Adrian Taft returned at full-back although he handed the captain's role to the successful Lee Southerton.

Andy Stooksbury kicked a penalty in an even first 15 minutes with Mattie Morris replying with a drop-goal for Shrewsbury.

Stooksbury kicked a second penalty for KCs and they took a 13-3 lead from a converted try on the half-hour.

Following a scrum, flanker Jason Sunderland took the ball and crossed the line with Stooksbury converting.

With five minutes remaining of the half, Shrewsbury struck back with a penalty by Morris but Stooksbury kicked KCs' first drop-goal of the season on the stroke of half-time for a 16-6 lead.

It had been a hard game and neither side could maintain the pace but the home side could see victory and would not let go.

They scored two tries in the second half and both came following balls pumped up into the air.

The first was scored by winger Ambro Neri and the second by flanker Mark Cleeton, while Shrewsbury never looked like breaking down hard-working KCs.

Coach Ross Baxter singled out Andy McLellan, Sunderland and Cleeton for their efforts.

Baxter was pleased with the result but said the team threw away too many scoring chances.

With only one league game left, there is little time to do anything this season but he is looking to improve for 2001/2002. The win lifts KCs one place in the table.

Next week, KCs play the local derby at Old Halesonians, having won an Intermediate Cup clash there 11-9 in October.

But they lost 18-12 at home in the league against the fourth-place team who would be another good scalp for the improving Marlpool Lane side.

KCs 2nds 18 Veseyans 12

Old Halesonians await in the final of Kidderminster Carolians 2nds XV Cup next Sunday.

KCs were not at their best but two tries from Darren Carthew and Andy Halkon plus a penalty, conversion and drop goal from Tom Oakes were sufficient.

It saw them through to their second final in successive years in the 13th year of the competition that KCs are yet to win.

Old Halesonians beat Aston Old Edwardians 24-13 in their semi.

KCs 3rds 21 Shrewsbury 25

The thirds slipped behind in a fairly even first half with a Darren Watkins try and Iain Crockett conversion recording their points.

KCs attempts to claw back the 12-7 deficit were hit with a penalty and two more unconverted tries in the second period.

KCs hit back when Paul Weston scored their second try and Crockett converted.

He kicked the next try from Ken Bickley but it was too late. Mark Oliver impressed.

Fixtures, Saturday: Old Halesonians v KCs, 1sts and 3rds away (3pm). Sunday: KCs v Old Halesonians (KCs 2nd XV Cup final, 2pm).

KCs U-17s 49

Dudley/Kingswinford 0

Attacking KCs displayed good handling skills and pace to score nine tries.

Scorers were Andrew Butler, Tom Guest (two), Andrew Hall, William Hill, Chris Jones, Tom Scandrett, Chris Southall and James Whitehouse.

Scandrett and Hill both converted one each.