DIRECTOR of rugby Phil Knowles is looking for a response from his senior players after Saturday’s crushing 51-5 defeat at Old Saltleians.

KCs fielded five colts, including debutant Harry Morgan, and were duly put to the sword.

But for Knowles, it was the performance of his senior players that upset him the most.

He said: “I praise the players when they do well but I thought the first-team regulars were disappointing.

“When you’ve got five young lads from the colts players, they need guidance from the seniors.

“Our general display and game awareness was disappointing and we expect better.

“The first two tries came from tap penalties and we had players looking the wrong way.”

Substitute George Morgan bagged a well-worked try on an otherwise bad day for the Marlpool Lane side, who had been trailing 37-0 at one stage.

KCs though are set to welcome back a host of players for Saturday’s home clash against Shrewsbury (2.15pm ko).

Brothers Chris and Alex Baldwin, Chris Pinner and Morgan, are all set to start against Kidderminster’s mid-table rivals.

Knowles added: “It’s important we bounce back.

“Things are looking much better this week because we’ve got a lot of players back.

“The players have been good so far this season so hopefully there will be a response.”