A MUCH changed DK side won comfortably enough at Stoke who are already doomed to Midlands 2 next season, but it was another stuttering performance.

In the first half hour of the game, despite the changes, DK had chances galore to score but they only scored two tries and once again showing an alarming propensity for leaking soft scores.

The second half introduction of Stefan Thorp and Andy McEwen to the action, beefed up the DK pack and put the skids under Stoke with DK scoring a further five tries as they at last approached something akin to their true potential.

With seven starting changes to last week’s side at Bournville, DK’s first opportunity came after just 40 seconds but the “try” was ruled out for a forward pass.

A try was not long coming however and after three minutes a superb break through the middle from Jordan Brookes split the Stoke cover and Ed Parry was on hand to take his scoring pass. Nick Adams converted to make it 0-7.

Jordan Brookes was over the line after nine minutes but another forward pass ruled the score out.

Nick Adams then made a super 50 metre break on 19 minutes but was bundled into touch just short. However, DK stole the lineout and the ball was moves first right then left where Jamie Ramsey had an overlap to score.

Following this score literally chance after chance went begging. Debutant right wing Mitchell Grealish has good pace and he might well have had a hat trick on his debut. Yet another forward pass on 22 minutes cost DK another score, and they were again guilty of over complication often forcing three or four passes when one or two would have proved more profitable.

Missing your scoring opportunities can carry a high risk, and so it came to pass. Stoke set up their only proper attack of the half on 37 minutes after DK had failed to clear their lines and their o/s flanker Aarran Horne broke unchallenged direct from the open side of a scrum to score under the posts from 15 metres out.

Andy McEwen replaced a limping Ian Langford for the second half and DK started the half well.

A determined attack down the left on 45 minutes and good play from skipper Ben Connett and Jordan Brookes set up a second try for Jamie Ramsey, with Adams converting.

Two minutes later DK scored a fourth try, with a simple flowing three-quarter move at pace left Stoke chasing shadows as James Jefferson powered in at the corner.

Pete Knight got a yellow card for an illegal block on 49 minutes but DK had the bit between their teeth now and another fluent attack after 53 minutes saw Al Francis lead a strong rolling maul before the ball was unloaded quickly to skipper Ben Connett on the left wing to add try number five.

Stuart Walters had come on at half time and made a very impressive First XV debut in the centre. It was Stuart that put Jordan Brookes away to streak through the overworked Stoke cover to register DK’s sixth try after 65 minutes. Nick Adams converted, increasing the DK lead to 7-39.

With Stoke now well and truly on the ropes, another sweet flowing three-quarter move on 67 minutes saw the irrepressible Jefferson with a two man overlap as he sped in for his second try of the afternoon taking the score up to 44-7.

Beaten but unbowed, Stoke, much to their credit, threw caution to the wind and ran everything in the final minutes.

They might well have scored after 72 minutes but for a glaring gaffe from the rather inconsistent referee Mr Frazer Colley who somehow failed to spot a blatant DK offside close to their line. Stoke did however manage the second try their late tenacity deserved when centre Simon Price finished off a slick move after 75 minutes.