UP against an Aston Old Edwardians side who boasted a 100 per cent league record, Kidderminster Carolians knew they were in for a difficult match and so it proved as they went down 18-3 in the second round of the Midlands Intermediate Cup.

Early pressure by the hosts was rewarded with a successful kick after just five minutes, but KCs levelled with an Andy McLellan penalty. A KCs late tackle was then punished by another penalty.

The visitors were up against it in the second-half, but gutsy defence kept the well-drilled Eds at bay for 20 minutes before Carolians succumbed to a try.

Ten minutes later, the hosts secured their place in the next round with a converted try and could afford the luxury of hitting the upright with a penalty kick in front of the posts in the dying moments.