KIDDERMINSTER Carolians Rugby Club coach Andy Stooksbury has won praise from his boss for masterminding an upturn in the club's fortunes.

Last weekend's 28-3 win at Midlands Three West North strugglers Willenhall catapulted KCs off the bottom of the table for the first time in months.

And after taking positives in their brave defeat to high-flying Camp Hill the previous Saturday, director of rugby Phil Knowles believes the Marlpool Lane men are starting to string some improved performances together and turn the corner.

"We've had a horrendous injury list as everybody knows, but we look as if it's beginning to come together," said Knowles.

"Fair play to our coach Andy because it's his first full season and although it's taken a while for us to get going he deserves a pat on the back.

"He's got the lads playing and that win will do us the world of good, especially if we can beat Telford on Saturday."

KCs are likely to be without skipper Eddie Ross who is very doubtful after aggravating a rib injury last weekend.

Matt Poole is also facing a fitness race and Lee Southwick is working away, but Greg Fincher and Bruce Hodges are set to return.

Knowles and Stooksbury may be forced to shuffle the side around slightly to overcome their shortage of front row forwards.

With league bosses unlikely to confirm how many teams are relegated from KCs' division until the end of the season, the club have targeted avoiding the bottom two to be on the safe side.

l Match report -- Page 108