Late show for DK

ON a blustery day in Lichfield the visitors were forced to come from behind as the hosts took a deserved lead over table-topping DK in a thrilling game between two well-drilled sides.

Few in a sizeable crowd would have denied Lichfield their half-time lead as they used the gusting wind to push the opponents back at every opportunity.

DK had to call on their reserves of character and self-belief to claw back a 21 -10 half-time deficit to inflict a rare home defeat on Lichfield.

Kings need only look to their pack, especially captain Pete Knight, for inspiration as he repeatedly turned over opposition ball and even crossed to score in a man-of-the-match performance.

DK made a number of changes to the team that won narrowly against Camp Hill with the return of Stefan Shillingford in the centre and Al Francis in his customary front row position. Ben Connett and Gareth Davies were again recuperating so DK started with Matt Farrington at scrum-half, Jon Higgins at full-back and Mike Jones, Jamie Ramsey and Luke Greenwood on the bench.

From kick-off the wind played its part as Lichfield saw the ball sail over the DK dead-ball line and, at the restart, DK were penalized for a crooked feed and referee, John Hill of the Yorkshire Society, stamped his authority on a game which was difficult enough with the conditions without an over-zealous interpretation at line-outs and restarts.

Lichfield enjoyed early possession with their backs displaying a good turn of speed and flair as they made inroads into the DK 22. From a long through-ball DK turned over possession but were too eager and Lichfield number 10, Josh Massey stepped up to convert a penalty on four minutes.

DK regrouped and Tom Weaver gathered the ball neatly, sidestepped and weaved his way into the Lichfield half but a forward pass which went to ground was booted long into DK territory only to gather momentum and drift harmlessly into touch. Lichfield charged down the restart but Tui Asi Pito gathered and made one of several excellent forages into the Lichfield half, only to see his pass helped on its way into touch by a huge gust of wind.

On 14 minutes a Gareth Bown penalty was again held up in the wind and Lichfield winger Matt Brown made a 50-metre return which was knocked-on by DK and the resulting scrum was won by LIchfield for scrum-half Will Cotterhill, a constant menace to the visitors to feed the ball to number six Richard Burton and he deftly touched down. Josh Massey struck the upright with the conversion.

DK were struggling to wrestle possession from the hosts and another score duly arrived on 20 minutes when a break by scrum-half Will Cotterhill allowed fly half Massey to score and convert.With Kings 15 points adrift Knight stepped up to the plate and the visiting pack seized control of a series of rucks and mauls and, after a fine run again by Weaver and James Jefferson, who nearly reached the line, the DK pack drove over and up popped Knight to secure a much needed score on 25 minutes.

Back came the DK forwards and within minutes they were camped on the Lichfield line. With good line-out ball the pack drove over and Stefan Thorp emerged with his now customary smile and try.

Lichfield pressed hard and were rewarded with a penalty which Massey again converted to make it 18-10 to the hosts on 36 minutes. At this point Ian Langford went off with an arm injury and Ramsey came on at number eight with Knight restored to the flank.

DK were pinned back by two Massey penalties going into the break.

But the visitors produced 42 points with the wind behind them to Lichfield’s five with the result still in doubt until the final quarter.

Forced into changes with Langford injured, other changes saw Higgins moved to scrum-half and Farrington to full-back. With possession and the wind DK were able to dictate the play as they kicked long.

On 43 minutes Lichfield infringed at the breakdown and Bown scored a penaly and this was soon followed by a try from Bown after fine backs play from Weaver, Shillingford and Jak Davis to narrow the gap to three points.

On 53 minutes DK lost Al Francis to a yellow card for repeated infringement at the breakdown and appeared to have more than 10 minutes to reflect on it. Lichfield pressed and were rewarded with a deserved try on the hour as number eight Tom Paulson was driven over.

DK were back in Lichfield territory from the restart and Asi Pito set off on a rampaging run and, with backs in tow, saw his effort rewarded as he touched down on 65 minutes and Bown brought DK within a point at 26-25.

With the game opening up for DK it was not long before they scored with a brace of Bown penalties on 70 and 75 minutes to lead for the first time.

Lichfield were finding the DK backs in rampant mood as first Higgins, on 77 minutes, then Shillingford, on 78 and finally Jefferson on 79 minutes, touched down Two Bown conversions saw the visitors home after a hard-fought battle and with a tasty derby to look forward to on Saturday.

Dudley Kingswinford: Dudley Kings: 15 Jon Higgins; 14 James Jefferson; 13 Tom Weaver; 12 Stefan Shillingford; 11 Jak Davis; 10 Gareth Bown; 9 Matt Farrington; 1 Al Francis; 2 Dan Shakespeare; 3 Stefan Thorp; 4 Shaun Griffiths; 5 Ollie Shakespeare; 6 Ian Langford; 7 Tui Asi Pito; 8 Peter Knight. Replacements: 16 Luke Greenwood; 17 Jamie Ramsey (Fr); 18 Mike Jones.