IF Kidderminster Carolians start the new season the way they finished the last one, they could be in for a good campaign.

Decimated by injuries to as many as eight first-team players, they did not strike true form until around February.

But KCs then finished on a high note with victories over the leading sides and there has been a good response to training so far.

Coach Ross Baxter and team manager Phil Knowles are looking forward to Saturday's encounter with Bridgnorth in the NPI Cup.

KCs have recruited fitness coach Jason Spafford, who looks after Worcester's rugby league side, to help with training.

And Spafford has been happy with both the level of fitness and attitude at Marlpool Lane.

There some new faces and one familiar name returns to the fold.

John McRae has been with Dudley-Kingswinford for a few years and, having played in a promotion-winning team, will have lots of experience to pass on.

A strong, well built forward, McRae will be welcomed back by many at KCs.

Another new signing is West Midlands Police constable Cliff Tomkinson

Having joined Stoke at the age of 11, he has been in their first team for the past four years and is a Staffordshire county prop.

Finally, John Mounter, 19, has moved to KCs from Bromsgrove and is a promising young fly-half.

An up-turn in numbers has encouraged KCs, considering the increase in local clubs over the last three seasons.

Chairman of rugby, Dave Genner, is hoping good league results, accompanied by a cup run, will attract even bigger crowds to Marlpool Lane.

KCs 28 Worcester 0

A good pre-season display handed KCs a victory over determined opposition.

KCs opened the scoring in the ninth minute when centre Matt Smith received the ball following a line-out.

Smith went in under the posts from 25 yards, making the conversion easy for Andy Stooksbury.

Stooksbury was in good form and had kicked three penalties by the 20th minute to give KCs a 16-0 half-time lead.

After spending some time camped near the Worcester line, the KCs pack produced a second try.

Hard-working flanker Simon Northcott grabbed the points and Stooksbury converted.

Worcester rarely ventured into the home third of the pitch.

And one of KCs several changes, winger Eddie Ross, rounded off a good team display with a fine try in the corner.

KCs looked very fit and new signings Mounter, who started at full-back, and Tomkinson, on at prop in the second half, looked good acquisitions.

Knowles was pleased with the result and the general play.

He was impressed with the work-rate of prop Chris Wright and the kicking of Stooksbury.

He added the new signings and teenager John Easton, a former colt, gave expectations of a strong squad.

KCs 2nds 68 Worcester 7

KCs scored 12 tries against Worcester, putting in a good all-round display.

Try scorers: Andy Webber 4, Will Hill 2, Ben Stanier, Chris Jones, Dave Horne, Mark Cleeton, Matt Such, Giovani Iacono. Conversions: Iain Crockett 3, Matt Such.

Malvern 44 KCs 3rds 7

KCs were not as sharp as the week before and struggled to get past strong Malvern.

Try scorer: Russell Slater. Conversion: Peter Gurr.

Stourbridge 70 KCs 4ths 12

Try scorer: Andy Hughes, on-loan Stourbridge player. Conversion: Frank Saporito.

Fixtures, Saturday: KCs v Bridgnorth (NPI Cup), Stourport 2nds v KCs 2nds, KCs 3rds v Stourport (all 3pm).