HEAD coach Dan Protherough believes his Droitwich RFC side will be one of the teams to beat in Midlands Division Three West (South) this season.

Saturday’s opening day fixture at Old Laurentians will not only give the Spa side an opportunity to avenge last season’s first game defeat, but they can also lay down a marker to the rest of the league.

Droitwich narrowly missed out on their second consecutive promotion last season, suffering a play-off defeat to Stoke-On-Trent.

But after finishing second last term, they are sure to be looked upon as favourites for the league.

Protherough said: “Having finished second last year, we will be the team other teams want to beat.

“It is a long season so it is not won and lost in the first few months.

“Hopefully we can push on and get that top spot, although I wouldn’t say we are clear favourites.

“I think the league this year will be quite open.”

Protherough must decide who fills the massive void left by Duncan Hughes at fly-half after the veteran retired in the summer.

Droitwich’s first home game will be against Silhillians on September 20, followed a week later by a trip to Earlsdon.