KIDDERMINSTER Carolians' joy at a morale-boosting 22-15 friendly win over Old Halesonians was tempered by an injury blow that will rule second row Jav Iaccono out for up to two months.

A serious ankle problem forced Iacco to retire early from the game with Andy Pearsall stepping into the breach.

The match was littered with mistakes and KCs' were guilty of lax handling and poor ball retention but ultimately their greater determination won through.

Halesowen looked livelier early on and after some sustained pressure took a 12th minute lead with an easy Seb Rose penalty.

The score remained that way until the stroke of half-time when more lost ball led to a converted Halesowen try, leaving KCs trailing 10-0 at the break.

Playing with the wind in the second half Kcs started to improve and after good play by outside half Tom Scandrett, Chris Pinner beat three players to touch down near the posts.

With 20 mins to go, Pinner burst through for his second and with Scandrett converting, KCs led 1for the first time.

Andy Stooksbury replaced Scandrett and the player-coach was straight into action when he landed a penalty to make the score 15 -10.

Old Halesonians were soon back on level terms, however, when KCs' failure to secure line out ball from the kick-off resulted in an unconverted try.

Kcs dominated the last 10 minutes and after keeping the ball tight, Mat Rigsby crashed over in the corner with Stooksbury adding the conversion, but missing a subsequent penalty, to seal a 22-15 success.

Stooksbury said KCs will have to be much sharper to get a result at Shrewsbury when they return to Midlands Three West North action on Saturday.

He added: "Having won three out of the last four games confidence is high, and we've got a good chance of defeating Shrewsbury next week - if we perform at our best."

They could be boosted by the possible return of Mabon Jones, Nathan Small and Jon Taft who should add to the power in the forwards.

l KCs seconds were in fine form as they comfortably came from behind to beat Merit Table leaders Old Halesonians 19-5.

Trailing to an early try, KCs hit back with tries from Greg Smith, Matty Such and Ben Mannion who also kicked two conversions.

Max Bullivant, from New Zealand made an impressibve debut and he could be a great addition to the club.

l KCs thirds fortuitously kept their unbeaten run going when at 8-0 down their match with Old Halesonians was abandoned 10 minutes into the second half because the referee pulled a muscle.