NEW coach Ross Baxter had a battle against injuries for Kidderminster Carolians' adventure into Midlands West Three (North).

With home and away games introduced, it was a chance for more action on the fine Marlpool Lane surface and a clash with a new opponent, Stafford.

KCs had to do without stand-off Andy Stooksbury until January and they missed his tactical experience and place-kicking.

They were also without forward Matt Bennett, Simon Wilkes, skipper Adrian Taft and hooker Stuart Such at times.

Hence, players were elevated from the second team but as 2001 arrived and injuries dipped, results improved dramatically.

Prior to Christmas, KCs won two out of eight in the league but this year, they triumphed in seven from 10 to take sixth place.

KCs won their opener, 11-9 against Telford, but then suffered their biggest setback for some years with a 33-14 home defeat to Aston Old Edwardians.

A trip to Newcastle saw KCs lose a lead in a 19-19 draw and despite an Intermediate Cup win over Old Halesonians, they then fell 35-14 to Old Yardleians.

Without a hooker, the men from Kidderminster fell 32-7 at Stafford and then the next round of the cup at Old Laurentians showed the big gap in the divisions with a 48-18 defeat.

Spirits were lifted with a 30-3 success over Birmingham Exiles but another defeat, 10-5 at Leek, followed.

A two-week break did not help as Old Hales won the derby 18-12 in Worcestershire and KCs were trying to avoid relegation for the first time in many years.

However, January 6 may have been a turning point as KCs frightened league leaders Shrewsbury before being edged 21-20.

Life improved and Leek, 17-9, and Stafford, 16-12, were beaten as they could afford to ignore an 18-12 North Midlands Cup exit at Malvern.

KCs lost 30-15 to Old Yardleians but the injuries were disappearing which showed in a 57-10 romp over the Exiles before Newcastle were thrashed 32-5.

A stunning 23-17 victory at impressive Aston Old Eds was followed by a surprise 10-0 loss on a quagmire pitch at Telford.

But KCs ended the season on a high note, defeating champions elect Shrewsbury 26-6 and Old Hales 27-0.

Coach Baxter was a glowing example with his exceptional displays and he can boast a good side with promising youngsters on the thresholds.

Ambro Neri, Mark Cleeton and Lee Southerton all showed their experience, while winger Barry Turner showed how far he had progressed.

Hard-working Chris Wright missed few games at prop and human dynamo Andy McLellan filled several positions.

There were also good seasons for the Stuart Eades-inspired seconds, the Sean Ryan-guided thirds and the fourths.

KCS failed to win the Second XV Cup but that team proved exciting to watch.

The club blossomed under the rugby committee and chairman Dave Genner, while Phil Knowles managed the first team well, working with chairman of selectors Glynn Davies.

Richard Ellis, promoted to assistant coach, was useful both on and off the field but a sad note was the retirement of physio Bill Breeze who was replaced by Chris Stott.