KIDDERMINSTER Carolians got their rugby season off to a flyer with a 26-6 win over Shrewsbury at Marlpool Lane.

In truth, it was a harder Midlands Three West (North) contest than the score suggests but KCs were the better side.

Kidderminster opened the scoring with a fine try inside three minutes. The ball was moved around and when it reached winger Ben Stanier, he showed the visiting defence a clean pair of heels. Andy Stooksbury converted to make it 7-0.

Within minutes KCs struck again. From a Shrewsbury lineout near their line, the ball went free. Kidderminster's Jason Sunderland took possession and touched down for the try.

Shrewsbury narrowed the gap with a penalty, kicked by Chris Child, and he was also successful in the 37th minute.

Although the game did have some bright moments, Kidderminster had gone off the boil. They spent a long time in their own half and Shrewsbury missed a penalty close to half-time that might have raised their spirits. As it was KCs led 12-6 at the interval.

Kidderminster brightened up in the second half but were still unable to improve the margin. The visitors never seemed to threaten and when Sunderland scored his second try, which Stooksbury converted, it was all over.

Young scrum half Will Hill rounded off a good display with a try five minutes from the end. Once again Stooksbury converted to give KCs a boost early in the season.

"It was a pleasing result and nice to see our training sessions paying dividends," said new club captain Eddie Ross.

"I was delighted to see how the younger men had performed considering we have had to make so many team changes because of injuries.

"Giovanni Iacono did well in the back row, and Jason Sunderland was his usual hard-working self. Andy Stooksbury kicked well for touch and the pack were in good form for certain periods. Stanier has a nice turn of speed and took his try well. Last minute changes are always troublesome, but we coped well." KCs take on Ledbury in the Powergen Intermediate Cup on Saturday.