THE final seventh position was about as much as Kidderminster Carolians could have hoped for from a season of team rebuilding.

Midlands Three West (North) side KCs have given many young players a chance and they did well along with some veterans who will soon need replacing.

The problem is their positions are not always easy to fill, such as 40-year-old Andy Stooksbury who is still a competitive stand-off.

But it has not been possible to find someone within the KCs club to take over an important position.

Number eight Mark Cleeton must find each game hard on the body but still gives 100 per cent.

Ambro Neri is not as quick down the wing as he was and does not knock so many opponents over with his incredible tackling but his enthusiasm never wanes.

Four young men have certainly caught the eye, more especially in the second half of the season.

James Whitehouse almost became automatic choice at full-back and scored four times, while winger Owen Jones managed five tries.

Flanker Ollie Toms still has a lot to learn but his promotion showed a lot of potential and quick James Guest has made a big impression.

Guest was joint leading try scorer with nine tries alongside Matt Poole and Neri, as well as landing 20 in the seconds and 11 in the thirds.

The firsts won 16 of their 30 games, scoring 638 points and conceding 538, and Andy Stooksbury kicked 44 conversions and 40 penalties to tally 208.

The seconds rounded off a good season by winning the KCRFC Seconds XV Cup for the first time in its 17-year history.

A narrow 7-0 win against Aston Old Edwardians was cause for big celebrations at the club.

They won 15 out of 30 games, scoring 711 points against 490, with manager Pete James and skipper Matt Greene working hard.

Along with Guest, Iain Crockett was the main try man with 14 as well as 40 conversions and eight penalties.

Sean Ryan was in charge of the thirds who recorded 18 wins in 29 games and were 94 points short of the 1,000-mark due to one or two games being cancelled.

Billy Chiverton scored 18 tries and Matt Woodward 10 alongside 53 conversions, four penalties and one drop goal.

Veteran hooker John Lloyd continued to play as well as ever and is a great example to the young players around him.

KCs fourths managed three games, winning one of them.

Director of rugby Phil Knowles said: "It was a mixed season, competing in a very strong league. I had hoped for a top-four spot but we under-achieved a little.

"There were games that we lost by the narrowest of margins, which was frustrating, but it tells me that we are not far from becoming a strong force once again.

"I was very pleased with the turn-out at training. With the return of coach Ian Bletcher, assisted by Andy Stooksbury, things have moved up a gear.

"With temporary dressing rooms due to the rebuilding, the players have shown great commitment under difficult conditions.

"Bill Breeze has once again worked hard looking after the injuries with Keith Crisp taking the job of kit man in his stride.

"I would like to thank all the players, no matter which team they played in, for a great effort. Finally from the players, a big thank you to our wonderful,supporters whether at home or away."

The building programme has now been completed to provide top facilities for players and supporters, increasing the hope of success when KCs kick off again in September.