A SECOND half points surge ensured Kidderminster Carolians RFC slipped to a 21-10 defeat at in-form Earlsdon in the Midlands Division Three West (South) on Saturday.

KCs were shot down by a quickly taken 11 points, as their three-match unbeaten run in the league came to an end.

Defeat meant that the Marlpool Lane side slipped one place to eighth in the table and were leap-frogged by Saturday's opponents.

Head coach Dave Irish was forced into making late changes to the selected side and started slowly but their first foray into the hosts half gave them a penalty chance.

Andy McLellan’s kick struck a post but they took the lead shortly afterwards, when Earlsdon tried to pull down a rolling maul from a close range lineout and the referee awarded a penalty try.

McLellan extended the away side's lead by kicking the conversion but Earlsdon replied by grabbing a try.

The hosts took a 10-7 lead 10 minutes before half-time, after some slick handling made space for their centre to finish off a well-worked try.

The late arrival of John Mounter enabled KCs to revert to a more recognised formation but they still struggled to make any headway and trailed 10-7 at the interval.

In the second half, KCs were still off the pace and Earlsdon continued to dominate possession and territory.

A try in the corner for the home side from a quickly taken penalty was followed by two penalties to take them into the comfort zone, and although the visitors responded with a try from another rolling maul, it was too-little-too-late.

KCs face a tough test to get back on track in the league on Saturday when they entertain leaders Worcester Warriors.

The second team savoured a 19-12 home win against Stourbridge Lions, while the thirds won 23-17 away to the Lions.

The under-11s got the better of local rivals Stourport 42-19.

Meanwhile, mid-table Cleobury Mortimer lost 19-12 to Essington in the Midlands Division Four West (South), while Chaddesley Corbett went down 25-3 to Tenbury in the Midlands Division Five (South West).

On Saturday, Cleobury entertain Harborne, Chaddesley welcome Claverdon and Stourport travel to Tenbury in the league.