Dudley Kingswinford are out to Stoke up the title pressure

Table-toppers DK head to third-placed Stoke looking for a sixth straight league success following last weekend’s derby-day demolition of Old Halesonians.

And head coach Neil Shillingford will stress the need for a disciplined approach at a venue where his side have struggled in recent years.

“We go to Stoke on Saturday and that is a big game because they are up there challenging,” said Shillingford.

“It’s usually a heavy pitch up there and it’s a place where we have struggled in recent years.

“They are very combative around the breakdown and they kick in behind well.

“They make things a mess at the breakdown and it’s easy to get drawn into giving penalties away.

“We have to be disciplined, which we were on Saturday, and dictate in what areas of the pitch we want to play the game.

“We have got to go there and get the job done.”

DK will make the short trip north in good heart after a resounding 54-0 success at home to Old Halesonians.

The hosts gained revenge for their Heathbrook defeat to Old Hales last season as they scored eight tries.

James Fildes led the way with a brace, with James Ryan, Pete Griffiths, Charlie Baffour, Arran Hudson and Dan Marsh also crossing, while they were also awarded a penalty try. Sam Vaughan added six conversions.

“It was one of our best performances of the season,” said Shillingford. “The lads were obviously up for it because it was a derby.

“We knew they would try to disrupt our game, but we coped with that very well and everything fell into place.

“James Fildes came on in the second half and with his first touch he scored in one corner, and then scored in the other corner with his second touch.

“That’s the second week running he has come on and scored a try and it’s good to have people making an impact from the bench.

“The game was done and dusted by then, but we kept going and looking for points because the points difference could be important come the end of the season.

“Everything is going pretty much to plan at the moment and if we can get to Christmas where we are now, we will be very happy.

“The competition for a starting place is good and the players are upping their levels in training.”

In the same division, Stourbridge Lions were beaten 41-10 at Whitchurch.