CONFIDENT Kidderminster Carolians cruised to a comfortable success against an understrength Southam side.

KCs won 53-10 away from home to keep the heat on leaders Kenilworth.

The early exchanges showed KCs in the ascendency enjoying territorial advantage and going close when Tom Mayer was stopped two metres from the line.

After 15 minutes, a good attack with several phases resulted in Arthur Morgan going over for a try.

Further KC pressure paid off when Jess Smith broke from a ruck on the 22 and shrugged off several Southam players to score a try near the posts, again the extras weren't added.

After further pressure from the forwards, a short penalty was taken and from a powerful driving maul KC scored a push over for Freddie Morgan to score, Pritchard landed the conversion.

KC scored from a move straight from kick-off to bag their bonus point try from a strong run by Tiene from his own half. Freddie Morgan converted.

After positive work by all the forwards, including a Jess Smith 60 metre break, Jack Tunstall scored a fine try.

Further pressure from KC forwards kept territorial advantage but unfortunately this did not translate into points and they had to settle for a 29-0 lead at half time.

Forwards were prominent when the second half started with Lee Wilkes winning a set piece against the head. Ryan Tiene made it a hat-trick with another powerful 50 metre run, Freddie Morgan converting.

Southam then started to put pressure on and gain territorial advantage, preventing KC getting possession for several minutes. Southam were awarded a penalty close to the line and KC lost concentration allowing the Southam number 10 Harry Hewson over for an unconverted try.

KC then recovered their composure, winning the ball from a line out passed it to Rhys Pritchard who showing real pace, made 50 metres for a try in the corner.

This was quickly followed by another penetrating run by Ryan Tiene for his fourth try. Tiene looks dangerous every time he gets the ball with any sort of space, defenders often do not look committed when facing him at speed.

In this game he had been in the centre rather than his more usual position on the wing. Carolians' ninth try followed more good work by the forwards gaining ground for the lively Tom Mayer to score under the posts with Morgan’s successful conversion going over off the right hand post.

In the last few minutes KC went down to 14 men when a yellow card was given to Mike Protheroe following a series of mauls. In the closing moments of the game, against the run of play, Southam scored a further try in chaotic circumstances when various infringements were overlooked.

They will look to continue their impressive season when they go to Leamington this Saturday.