DK colts come of age
Dudley Kingswinford will go into their biggest game of the season boosted by fan power.
Dudley Kingswinford will go into their biggest game of the season boosted by fan power.
DK, relegated from Midlands One after a miserable league campaign, have been uplifted by their young guns who have won their way through to the National Colts Cup semi-final at Nuneaton plus a North Midlands Cup final date with Stourbridge.
And with three coach loads of fans set to converge upon Liberty Way, DK are looking to make it a mini Heathbrook on Saturday.
"It's going to be quite an occasional," said coach Neil Shillingford.
"We've got three coaches going up there and it promises to be a cracker because I think both teams are quite similar.
"Nuneaton have a big pack and backs capable of scoring tries so it's going to be tough but we are quietly confident."
DK actually have a home league clash with Scunthorpe but all eyes will be on the youngsters as they bid to win a final place at Northampton Saints' Franklin's Gardens next month.
"The coaching staff will be at Nuneaton on Saturday," said Shillingford.
"We said all along that we would focus on the colts especially as, in the league, we have nothing to play for.
"It has been a brilliant season for the colts so far and it would be a massive achievement to get into the final.
"Our league campaign has obviously been disappointing but I think people can see that the future is very bright for the club.
"This is a national competition and for us to be in with a chance of the final is fantastic for the club."
The former back rower, however, is keeping preparation as normal as possible in the lead-up to Saturday.
"It's the same as usual for the lads and credit to them this season because their personal preparation has been excellent," he added.
"The coaches take the plaudits sometimes but their run in the competition is down to them. It's all credit to them for the time they put in on the training field and in the gym.
"They recognise that preparation is so key now in rugby and they are prepared to embrace that.
"It's given everybody at the club a huge lift. Certainly, everything is very positive for the club."
