DUDLEY Kingswinford made a barnstorming start to the new season with a derby day victory over Stourbridge Lions.

DK put their newly-promoted rivals to the sword with a 45-12 success at Heathbrook last Saturday.

Tries from Sam Pedley and Ryan Smithemann handed the hosts a 10-0 lead at the break.

Stef Shillingford, Arran Hudson, Pete Griffiths and Ben Brown all crashed over in the second period to add to a penalty try. Jordan Brookes landed one conversion before Nick Adams found his range with four more.

DK director of rugby Neil Shillingford was delighted with the opening day win.

He said: "It was very pleasing to get off to a winning start.

"There was a danger we might have over-played because it was a big occasion and that is when mistakes start to creep in.

"But we have controlled all aspects of the game and also used our experience well to manage the ref better too.

"We set our stall out that it was going to be a five point game for us and that really changes the mindset and decision making. We had an attacking psychology but it was a controlled psychology as well.

"There we a few errors and things we want to work on, such as the way we play behind big packs, but there was also a lot of pleasing aspects to build on going forwards.

"Our kicking game was really good as well. Jordan Brookes at nine box-kicked well and we also kicked across the line through Connah Jones at 10.

"Nick Adams at full back has also dealt with balls kicked at us and got us back on the attack."

DK will look to build on their first Midlands One West win of the season when they go to Sutton Coldfield this Saturday.

"That win lays the foundations for us now," added Shillingford. "If you want to be up at the top and challenging then you must have good away form and pick up those bonus points.

"We lost at Sutton Coldfield in the first game last season but it was a game we felt we should have won. Hopefully we can put that right."