NEIL Shillingford says a lack of preparation was to blame for Dudley Kingswinford’s defeat at Whitchurch last Saturday.

The Heathbrook outfit lost 36-28 and the director of rugby has highlighted his side’s poor mid-week showing in training for the loss.

He said: “I think the defeat came down to one thing – a failure to prepare properly.

“Our poor work on the training paddock has cost us. Players were absent due to other commitments and it showed.

“We did well in the game at times but failed to control the final third. Things weren’t coming off for us because we hadn’t put the work in.

“I’ve said all along that I’m happy with the strength of the squad but perhaps we need to be more aggressive with our recruitment if we can’t get players to training.

“I have spoken to them about it and they can hopefully put it right. When they are training they are great and have really showed commitment to improving.”

The loss means DK’s record so far stands at two home wins and two away defeats.

“Overall, I’m quite happy,” added Shillingford. “We have been good at times and are still a fair way from our potential. The signs are good.

“With just a few tweaks and just a little more commitment we could have been sitting in the top three or four places, knowing we have much more to give.”

DK will look to bag a hat-trick of home wins when they welcome Bournville this Saturday (3pm).

“We know it will be a tough game up front but it offers a good chance to continue our home form,” said Shillingford.