AN EXCELLENT display by Kidderminster Carolians' pack gave them a 28-17 friendly win despite a spirited comeback from county rivals Droitwich.

KCs were in total command from the first whistle and coach Ross Baxter, playing in the second row, was an inspiration.

Baxter won plenty of line-out ball and led from the front in attack although not enough use was made of the possession.

The first try came after 15 minutes when prop Chris Wright opened his account for the season and Baxter touched down following a good drive by KCs five minutes later.

Then Eddie Ross latched onto a ball in midfield, switched to the left wing and left Droitwich standing to put KCs 15-0 up.

The game became physical with the visitors conceding too many penalties before full-back Ambrogio Neri scored a good try after sprinting 45 yards.

Andy McLellan hit the post with the conversion kick for a second time.

McLellan was, however, on the mark with a penalty that gave KCs a comfortable 23-0 lead at half-time.

Flanker Jon Taft was in good form and scored a fifth try in the 53rd minute.

But suddenly Droitwich came alive and grabbed three tries to trail by just 11 points against the relaxed KCs.

Baxter rallied his men and KCs, who gave North Midlands U-18 squad member Paul Weston a debut and the returning Stuart Such a run-out, held on for victory.

Droitwich 10 KCs 2nds 8

A Richard Ash try and Tom Oakes penalty were not enough for KCs against Droitwich.

KCs 4ths 19 Cleobury 2nds 17

Ian Stooksbury grabbed two tries as KCs edged to victory, helped by an Edward Tandy effort plus conversions from Andy Stooksbury (two) and Steve Breakwell.

KCs A 29 Old Halesonians A 31

A good local Boxing Day derby saw KCs introduce a few second team players and slip to a narrow defeat.

The home side led 12-7 at half time with tries from Eddie Ross, a 70-yard effort, and Barry Turner, plus a conversion by Andy McLellan.

Old Hales' scorers were Steve Gollings (try) and John Pritchard (conversion).

A timely tackle by Andy Webber denied another Old Hales score and Ross grabbed a second soon after against his old club.

Webber got into the act again, being denied a certain try before forward Ross Baxter retrieved the ball and scored under the posts to make it 24-7.

Halesowen hit back through Jonathon Harris' try, converted by brother Tom, and one from Andy Hill only for Webber to eventually claim a try of his own.

The visitors came storming back when Hill scored a second and Gollings put the scores level with another.

And the winning conversion by Steve Harris created a little bit of history as the club president had joined his sons Jonathon, Chris and Tom for the last few minutes.

KCs will not be downhearted as Webber has ability and 18-year-old James Lloyd Jones can not be far from a firsts debut.

Fixture, Saturday: KCs v Malvern (North Midlands Cup, 2.15pm).