DUDLEY Kingswinford RFC begin their pre-season on Saturday with coach Neil Shillingford determined to make it a season to remember at Heathbrook.

DK entertain last season’s Midlands Two West champions Bromsgrove and are hoping to follow in their opponents footsteps this term by claiming the division - which has now been renamed Midlands One West.

Shillingford believes taking the title, which would bring a return to National League rugby, should be the club’s one and only aim this year.

He said: “We should get a good run out against Bromsgrove and then we will be looking to hit the ground running and pick up were we left off last year.

“Last season was a good campaign for us but it was a bit of a learning curve, this season our intention has to be to win the league outright.

“Every week is going to be a tough game as teams will look to raise their game against us but we will be ready to deal with that.”

Shillingford and fellow coach Mark Lockley have succeeded in holding on to all of last season’s squad.

The major close season action saw former captain Pete Knight (pictured) return to Heathbrook, while forward Shaun Griffiths is raring to go after returning from a lengthy injury lay-off.

After Saturday’s clash with the Boars, DK take on Hereford at Heathbrook on August 29 in the North Midlands Cup before opening league action by hosting Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday September 5 (both 3pm).

Shillingford added: “It’s pretty much as we were with regards to players and it’s been a good pre-season in terms of training - the players have worked hard.

“There is a good strength in depth to the squad which creates competition for places.

“We could possibly have done with recruiting more for the back line but we have a lot of young, hungry players.

“Pete’s return will also give us a boost in terms of experience.

“He had not formally been named as captain yet but I imagine that as long as he is fit and out on the park he will be captain.”