THERE was to be no Christmas cheer for Dudley Kingswinford as their injury-ravaged squad fell to another heavy defeat last Saturday.

Second from bottom DK suffered a 51-5 loss at the hands of Scunthorpe as director of rugby Carl Douglas continues to struggle to lift the Heathbrook outfit away from the bottom end of the table.

Captain Ed Parry barely had 12 fit bodies on Friday evening before eventually scraping together 18 men for the trip to North Lincolnshire, though it meant there were three flankers playing in the three quarter line.

DK kicked off playing up a slope with the sun in their eyes but managed to dominated the early exchanges. However, after ten minutes, Scunthorpe began to ease their way into the game with their forwards beginning to take control of the set pieces, especially in the scrums.

As in previous weeks, the game was riddled with penalties. The home team opened their account after 12 minutes when they turned over DK possession which resulted in centre Ash Dibden crossing for an unconverted try.

DK were then put under immense pressure and only fearless defence prevented the home team from increasing their score.

This resolute defence was eventually breached in the 18th minute when full back Steve Johnson scored underneath the posts. He duly added the extra points.

Following yet another penalty, DK failed to retreat the obligatory ten meters, fly half Tom Foster took quick advantage of the extra yardage and took the quick tap penalty and crossed for a try which Steve Johnson converted.

As a result of the score, DK made a change to their front row with Danny Richards replacing Russ Gauden.

The patched up DK team carried on defending manfully and it took the home team until just before half time to increase their lead when prop Jack Leaning forced his way over for an unconverted try.

The second half continued in the same vein with DK struggling to gain possession and the penalty count against them continually growing. The home team constantly refused kicks at goal and electing to scrummage. To their credit, DK refused to buckle. In the 55th minute, Scunthorpe reversed their tactics and following yet another penalty elected to kick for goal. Steve Johnson was successful in adding the extra three points.

In the 63rd minute the home side extended their lead when young flanker Si Fisher crossed for a try following a catch and drive from a lineout. Steve Johnson was unable to add the extra points. DK then enjoyed a ten minute purple patch and following a lineout, second row Edlyn Serge forced his way over for an unconverted try.

In the gathering darkness of the final ten minutes, DK threw caution to the wind. Inevitably this led to mistakes and Scunthorpe took full advantage of these errors and ran in a further three tries through Jake Barron, Olie Wood and Rewiti Vaimoso. Steve Johnson was successful with two of the conversions.

DK will next be in action against South Leicester at home on January 3.