SPIRITED Kidderminster Carolians RFC gave Midlands Division Two West (South) leaders Dunlop a scare as the went down fighting 40-20 at Marlpool Lane on Saturday.

KCs showed plenty of fight and determination, despite losing the game, and scored three tries in the process.

It was the home side who drew first blood with ten minutes on the clock. A series of surging drives won a penalty and fly-half Tom Scandrett, taking over the kicking duties in the absence of Andy McLellan and John Mounter, confidently stroked the ball between the sticks to give KCs a 3-0 lead.

Well-drilled Dunlop took the lead when their centre went under the posts for a converted try to put them ahead 7-5.

Dunlop were reduced to 14 men when their left winger was sent off but despite the numerical disadvantage, the away side extended their advantage with a try.

The hosts responded with a terrific series of drives and their ball retention forced Dunlop’s defence to resort to desperate measures, ultimately resulting in a penalty which KCs opted to kick to touch.

From the throw, KCs were held up over the line but the five metre scrum saw Layton Wilkinson power to within inches of a score and Billy Bennett was on hand to finish the job. Scandrett’s conversion from a difficult angle then hit the post.

With half-time approaching, Alex Baldwin was shown yellow, and inside a minute Dunlop manufactured an overlap for their right wing to touch down for his second try,converted via the crossbar.

KCs’ pack yet again upped the ante to win another penalty. Scandrett’s kick, the last of the half, drifted narrowly wide and the hosts went into the break trailing 19-8.

Early in the second half, Dunlop saw a second player yellow-carded, while KCs were briefly restored to 15 before Carl Whitehead was sin-binned.

Two penalties stretched the away side’s lead but the hosts continued to push and winger James Guest was just held up at the corner after a flowing backs move.

KCs pressed and Scandrett wriggled his way over for a well-deserved try but Dunlop’s centre responded in kind and the conversion took the score to 32-13.

A difference of opinion between KCs prop Russ Gauden and his opposite number saw Gauden given a yellow and the Dunlop prop, already carded, dismissed from the field.

Shortly afterwards, Dunlop were awarded a dubious try in the corner and another penalty put them in front by a rather flattering 40-13.

A late try by replacement winger Scott Lovell and Scandrett’s conversion reflected the balance of play more realistically and KC’s can take great heart from this performance.With players coming back from injury they will look to improve their League position starting at Old Silhillians on Saturday.

n KCs under-15s drew 12-12 with Bredon, with Mitch Dwyers and Dan Cooper touching down, while David Bisset kicked one conversion.