KIDDERMINSTER snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against visitors Crewe & Nantwich after dominating for much of the game.

The host began strongly with chances narrowly missed and territorial advantage, the deadlock was finally broken after 16 minutes.

Right winger Ryan Tiene ran back a Crewe clearance kick to set up a ruck and good work by Ryan Wainwright triggered an attack which eventually created space for Jess Smith to power over for the opening try.

Crewe rallied to mount their first attacking moves but solid defending kept them at bay and KCs continued to look the more dangerous, left winger Arthue Morgan went close but was denied by a last-ditch tackle.

In the closing minutes of the half the game became frenetic with both sides making mistakes but no further scoring made Kidderminster 5-0 leaders at the break.

The Carolians continued to make the running after the break, after only three minutes the home side doubled their lead when, following a Crewe scrum on their own ten metre line, KCs turned the ball over and after good work from Chris Pinner the ball went loose and broke kindly for scrum-half Freddie Morgan who collected and touched down.

Crewe finally made the scoresheet with a penalty from fly-half Jim Creighton after KC conceded for a high tackle.

With the half hour mark approaching, a KCs' 22 drop out returned possession to Crewe and their left wing almost got in at the corner before being tackled into touch six metres short.

Kidder’s lineout was slightly overthrown, eluding the jumper’s fingertips and dropping instead straight to Crewe’s Richard Evans who was unstoppable from such close range.

His try was excellently converted by Creighton from wide out to draw the sides level.

With nine minutes remaining another well struck penalty by Creighton from just inside Kidder’s ten metre line gave the visitors the lead for the first time and two minutes before the final whistle they put the game to bed.

Kidder tried to run the ball out of their own 22 but were held up to give Crewe a scrum at which they slowly shoved the hosts back to their five metre line before a couple of drives almost inevitably saw their forwards rumble over wide out on the right for the clinching try which was again superbly converted by Creighton.

The game finished 20 - 10 to Crewe, next week Carolians face a tough trip to Midlands 2 West (N) leaders Whitchurch.