DEPARTING head coach Dave Irish was given a thrilling send-off at Marlpool Lane on Saturday as Kidderminster Carolians FC got the better of Barkers Butts 33-23.

Work commitments ensured that Irish had to step down from the role after a two-and-a-half year spell at the club but he was given rousing goodbye by his former players.

New head coach Bryan Smallman also watched as KCs enhanced their hopes of a top four finish in the Midlands Division Two West (South) with a thrilling try-laden display.

Victory ensured that they are joint fourth with Old Silhillians.

The hosts suffered an early setback when they were caught out on the counter-attack but they soon responded with a great individual try by centre Tom Scandrett.

The wideman skipped through the Barkers defence to score under the posts.

Andy McLellan kicked the extras to give KCs a 7-5 lead but five minutes later a penalty in front of the posts edged Barkers 8-7 ahead.

Midway through the half, KCs won good lineout possession and moved the ball right before switching left from a midfield ruck to expose Barkers’ defence and McLellan crossed to fire them into the lead.

Barkers reduced arrears to just one point with a penalty almost immediately, but this only spurred the home side to step it up a gear.

Winger Nick Martin was denied a try when he was held on the line but Layton Wilkinson plunged over from a five metre scrum moments later to extend KCs' advantage.

KCs captain Stuart Such then went over from a close range to hand the home side a 22-11 lead at the mid-way point.

The hosts started the second half with a bang when fly-half John Mounter pounced on a stray pass and grabbed their fifth try of the match.

Barkers were reduced to 14 men after they lost their number seven for a late challenge on McLellan but they responded with gusto to the setback and piled the pressure on KCs.

KCs had Billy Bennett sent off and their Warwickshire-based opponents grabbed a try and their lead was cut to just four points when they scored another touch down.

But McLellan kept his head and two penalties ensured that Barkers' fightback was in vain.

After the match, Irish was presented with a special shirt thanking him for his efforts at KCs.

In the Midlands Division Four West (North), mid-table Cleobury Mortimer lost 16-15 to Yardley and District.

Chaddesley Corbett went down to Bredon Star 34-10 in the Midlands Division Five South West and Stourport were beaten 51-3 by Clee Hill.

KCs seconds' match at Woodrush fell victim to a frozen pitch, while the thirds went down 37-17 at home to Bromsgrove fourths.