Kidderminster Carolians

KIDDERMINSTER Carolians hope the return of two influential players will kickstart their Midlands Three West North season at home to Ludlow on Saturday and banish their Powergen Intermediate Cup thrashing by Newport.

Player coach Andy Stooksbury is refusing to be too despondent about KC's heavy 50-0 first round cup exit, insisting that the team are gradually showing signs of improvement.

And he believes possible comebacks for Olly Toms and Mat Bennett against Ludlow on Saturday will give the Marlpool Lane men the boost they need.

Stooksbury said: "Despite the scoreline it was an encouraging performance. We battled hard all through the game against a much bigger and stronger side from a division above.

"We're not too despondent at the result as there were good signs of progress and with Olly Toms and Mat Bennett available for selection we should stay postive for the next league game."

KCs were on the defensive for most of the first half as Newport edged in front with two penalties and the visitors broke clear several times to lead 21-0 at the break.

Kidderminster's best chance of scoring before the interval came when Tom Oakes missed a penalty.

They were also left ruing a misplaced pass after the break when Andy Webber was caught on the line to end what should have been a scoring move from the backs.

It was a case of damage limitation from KCs from then on. A miserable spell midway through the second half, when Newport added three more tries, ended the tie as a contest and the Shropshire side went on to ease to a 50-0 win.

KCs host Ludlow at 3pm on Saturday at Marlpool Lane.

There was better news for KCs seconds who won 29-0 against Kings Norton.

Mark James, returning from injury, was the star with three tries from the wing while Ben Stirling and Nen Mannion also scored with Mannion and Crockett kicking conversions.

The seconds start their league programme against Hereford on Saturday.

In a low-scoring game, KCs thirds went down 7-3 to Stourbridge fifths after conceding a late converted try.

Craig Banner's introduction at prop helped win a penalty which Spencer Crockett converted.

But poor refereeing allowed Stourbridge to steal victory at the death.

Cleobury Mortimer

CLEOBURY Mortimer will also be in the hat for round two of the Powergen Junior Vase after a 37-27 victory at Five Ways Old Edwardians.

A five-try first half demolition of the hosts did the damage for Cleobury who led 25-3 at the break despite trailing to an early penalty.

Allan Shields, Nigel Williams, Hylton Smith, Steve Morris and James Manley all crossed before the interval.

As Cleobury compacency crept in, Five Ways staged a second half comeback and it took further tries from Pete Howman and Paul Hulland to seal the victory.

Julian Harding had an off-day with his kicking, with only one of a possible seven conversions proving successful.

Cleobury entertain Old Halesonians in Midlands Four West South at Love Lane at 3pm on Saturday.

Stourport

STOURPORT maintained their winning start to the season by marching into round two of the Powergen Junior Vase with a 17-5 victory at Bromyard.

Despite going behind to an early try against the run of play, Stourport hit back when South African full back Jaco Bester scored with Rob Humphries adding the extras.

Stourport's then took control of the game with No 8 Andy Hubbold going over.

Phil Randell capped a fine individual performance to score Stourport's final try.

Stourport firsts travel to Birmingham Exiles in North Midlands South Two at 3pm on Saturday.

l In the Merit Tables, Stourport seconds went down 43-10 at a very-experienced and well-drilled Hereford side.

Having conceded 33 unanswered points by half time, captain Stu Wilson's men regrouped to restore some pride with Tim Wilkins and Anton Dbeer touching down.

Chaddesley Corbett

CHADDESLEY Corbett enjoyed a confidence-boosting 43-17 friendly win over Bridgnorth seconds ahead of their return to North Midlands South Two action on Saturday.

Carl Booth, Matt Jackett and Richard Billings all bagged braces with Henry Fellows also crossing and Nick Whitre adding two penalties and a conversion.

Chaddesley play host to Greyhound in the league at Fox Lane at 3pm on Saturday.

The seconds take on Ledbury thirds in the Merit Table on Saturday on the back of a 43-5 friendly defeat at Droitwich seconds.

Junior rugby

STOURPORT High School kick off their Daily Mail under-15s schools cup campaign with a Midlands section clash at Haybridge High School this week.