KIDDERMINSTER Carolians put in their worst performance of the season as they crashed to a 31-12 defeat at home to local rivals Old Halesonians.

The visitors proved to be keener, more positive and fitter than KCs and took the lead after just five minutes when poor tackling allowed a Halesowen forward to crash over the line.

However, KCs managed to get back on level terms when top try scorer Eddie Ross burst through three tackles to score.

On the stroke of half-time, Halesowen exploited the hosts' blindside and, with KCs down to 14 men due to a sin bin offence, the Old Hales full-back chipped through and followed up his kick to put his side 12-5 ahead.

In the second-half, more poor tackling allowed Halesowen to increase their lead, but a breakaway try from Chris Pinner, which he also converted, put KCs within one score. In the final 10 minutes, Old Hales scored two further tries to round off a miserable day for KCs.

The Carolians Thirds fared much better and beat Old Hales Thirds 25-20.

In the first-half, Nick Kay and Kez Giddings both showed a good deal of flair and a little bit of showmanship to score tries.

Kay also kicked one conversion and a penalty, but several basic handling errors meant KCs gave away too many penalties, which allowed Old Hales to score two tries before the break.

The second-half saw Mark Spargo and Charles Lloyd Jones score a try a piece to give Kidderminster the advantage. However, Old Hales scored another two tries to make the final score 25-20.