KIDDERMINSTER Carolians opened the new campaign on Saturday with a 33-0 verdict over Kings Norton in a friendly at Marlpool Lane.

It gave them the chance to put training plans into operation, and by and large it worked.

Even without any recognised centres, they proved too strong for the visitors.

Both sides played with great enthusiasm, but most of the play featured the forwards.

Kings Norton missed a penalty in the third minute but on 11 minutes left-winger Ambro Neri streaked through to score the opening try. Stand-off Andy McLellan missed the conversion.

McLellan kicked a penalty in the 24th minute and shortly before the interval added a second to give KCs an 11-0 lead at half-time.

Kings Norton worked hard but KCs were their own worst enemies with some poor handling.

Following a scrum close to the visitors line flanker Mark Cleeton picked up and drove over the line for KCs' second try.

McLellan , in great form, scored the best try of the match eight minutes later

He jinked his way through the Kings Norton backs and rounded off the try by converting it to make it 23-0.

Simon Northcott and Ian Crockett scored two more unconverted tries to give their side a clear-cut victory.

KCs 2nd 41

KINGS NORTON 2nd 41

Due to a fixture fault, KCs fielded a combined second and third team.

The first half started well for Kidderminster with the pack setting good ball up for the backs.

The scoring was opened by Dave Allsop making his debut as a prop. A second unconverted try from full-back Dave Horne followed after some nice threequarter play

Kings Norton struck back with three tries, one converted to lead 17-10, but KCs countered by adding two tries, one converted by Ian Crockett, to go in front 22-17 at half- time.

In a scrappy second-half there were further tries for Kidderminster from Dave Allsop, Martin Wright, and a very good one from Kevin Pugh, following hard work by the front line.

Darren Breeze converted one of the tries, and Tom Oakes another.

Kings Norton added 24 points to their first half total, with four tries and two conversions

Fixtures: Saturday, 1st v Shrewsbury (NPI Cup, first round). 2nd v Worcester. Kick-off 3pm.