DUDLEY Kingswinford won the North Midlands Cup for the fifth time in their history with fine win over defending champions Newport.

The Heathbrook side were 15 points adrift at one stage during the final, which was staged on their own ground, but a try late in the first-half from hooker Luke Greenwood revived their challenge.

A strong downfield wind dictated tactics and DK used the elements well after the break to eat into Newport’s lead and then seal victory.

The Shropshire side, beaten twice by DK in National Three Midlands this season, looked the more likely winners when they stormed into a 15-point lead in the opening 26 minutes.

Lock Duncan Kelly was driven over from a line-out in the fifth minute for an unconverted try before wing Liam Holder added a penalty six minutes later.

Newport’s Oxford University scrum-half Sam Egerton then snaffled a pass from DK centre Stefan Shillingford close to halfway and galloped away for an interception try which Holder converted.

But Greenwood’s try, after a lengthy period of pressure, lifted DK and they used the wind sensibly after the interval to pin Newport back and force them to attack from deep.

DK reduced the deficit three minutes into the second-half when right wing Nick Adams crossed and fly-half Gareth Bown converted.

They then nudged in front for the first time when centre Tom Weaver went over from close range and Bown again converted but the match remained in the balance until injury-time.

Newport could not kick their way out of trouble so they had to run the ball from defence but when they fumbled, DK won the scrum just outside Newport’s 22 and replacement centre Jordan Brookes dummied his way over for a brilliant individual try which Bown converted.

There was still time for Egerton to score again but it was too late to deny DK in a competition they will be ineligible for next year after promotion to National Two North.