DIRECTOR of rugby Phil Knowles could not fault Kidderminster Carolians’ players after they went down 37-0 to a very impressive Bridgnorth side in the Midlands Division Two West (South) on Saturday.

KCs tasted their first defeat in the league at the hands of their local rivals, who are tipped to win the league title this season.

Bridgnorth ran in four tries at home but Knowles felt KCs could not have played any better. He said: “I have to say that Bridgnorth are the best team in the league by some way and they will go onto win the league this season.

“They have guys who have played at a higher level and I can’t see anyone getting near them.

“But I thought we played well also, we hardly missed a tackle and worked really hard but sometimes you’ve got to put your hands up and say the better side won.

“Andy McLellan said that Bridgnorth’s performance was more like a side playing two levels above.”

KCs had started the match well and within the first five minutes Rob Phillips had successfully stolen Bridgnorth’s first two lineouts.

But the hosts opened the scoring with a penalty and started to take control, despite good defending by Chris Pinner and Will Varley.

The hosts scored a try from a scrum to edge 8-0 ahead.

The visitors then encountered a setback when Ben Turner suffered a torn shoulder ligament, an injury which is set to keep him sidelined for eight weeks.

Almost immediately after, Bridgnorth went further ahead, a converted try extending their lead to 15-0.

KCs rallied and tested Bridgnorth’s defence, and two good kicks by George Morgan deep into the home side’s 22 maintained pressure, but a penalty call gave the home side a chance to get away from their try line.

They then touched down again to extend their advantage to 22-0.

In the second half, tigerish defending by Mike Protheroe, Chris Pinner, Morgan and Rhys Pritchard kept the hosts at bay before they scored a penalty. Bridgnorth’s pace and strength meant they were able to score two more tries to seal the win, although KCs never gave up and were only prevented from scoring by a try-saving tackle late on.

KCs now play a pool friendly on Saturday.