HEAD coach Ross Baxter believes Bromsgrove have started to show signs they are going in the right direction but now wants further improvement for Saturday’s home clash against Luctonians.

Baxter saw a host of positives in Saturday’s 29-17 loss in Otley on the opening day of the 2013-14 National North Two campaign, although he acknowledges there are areas that need improving.

Now he wants his side to keep improving for the visit of old foes Lucs, who Bromsgrove defeated for the first time in 12 years last season.

“Against Otley there was 50 per cent positives and negatives,” said Bromsgrove’s head coach. “There was great application and energy, our set piece was very solid and we retained the ball for long periods.

“But we didn’t hurt them when we got into good positions and paid the price for two yellow cards as they scored four of their tries when we were down to 14.

“However, compared to how we performed in our warm-up games there has been a big improvement but we need to increase our displays for Luctonians.

“We’ve played Luctonians so many times down the years the two clubs know each other well but it’s important we get our home campaign off to a good start.”

Bromsgrove will welcome back Phil Horton and Jon Critchlow for Saturday’s Midlands derby but they will be missing captain Paul Norris and Ben Meadows, who both picked up wrist injuries against Old Halesonians two weekends ago.

David Hughes stepped up to stand-in as captain and impressed, as did James Young, who was making only his fourth senior start.

Baxter said: “Dave did a really good job as captain and he was one of a number of strong performers.

“We’ve been unlucky that Paul Norris and Ben Meadows both look as though they will be absent for about six weeks.”