DESPITE conceding another early try, DK gradually got on top of a good Lichfield side to end the game in convincing style and notch their eighth consecutive victory.

The Staffordshire side gave DK plenty to think about in an action packed first half but the excellent home pack turned the screw early in the second period.

There were a few changes from last week’s side that won at Camp Hill, some of them positional.

With Gareth Davies and Ed Parry on holiday, Jon Higgins moved to scrum half with Simon Fletcher replacing him at full back.

Stefan Thorp came in at loose head prop with Dan Shakespeare moving across to hooker. Luke Greewood (FR), Shaun Griffiths and Tom Huggins were on the bench.

A simple missed tackle cost DK dear in the very first minute when former Rotherham wing Gareth Brearley scored after some crisp handling from the Lichfield.

Slightly flustered DK continued to splutter for a while with unforced errors giving Lichfield more possession.

But the home side gradually regained their composure to put their visitors under pressure and Gareth Bown reduced the arrears to 5-3 with a 10th minute penalty.

James Jefferson then looked likely to score on 16 minutes after an astute kick through the Lichfield cover but was just thwarted by a last gasp tackle.

A minute later DK got over the Lichfield line but were penalised for holding on.

The hosts kept up the pressure and finally took the lead after 22 minutes when No 8 Jamie Ramsey squeezed over after several strong DK drives. Gareth Bown’s excellent conversion from touch to made it 10-5.

DK had another golden opportunity after 29 minutes but lost the ball forward in the act of driving over the Lichfield line.

The home side continued to hold the whip hand but the wet conditions were not conducive to clean handling and passing, meaning they had to settle for a five point lead at the half.

Strong second half performances have been a feature of the season and proved so yet again as DK hit Lichfield with two quick tries on the resumption.

Firstly Stefan Thorp charged down a defensive kick and the ball ricocheted at right angles into the path of Stef Shillingford near the 22 who won the sprint for the touchdown.

Gareth Bown converted for DK to lead 17-5.

A minute later superb open running rugby saw DK swiftly move upfield to the Lichfield line with some brilliant interpassing and Ian Langford was driven over from the maul to make it 22-5.

Now well on top, DK went further ahead after 51 minutes when Jon Higgins did well to keep the ball in play following a Lichfield defensive kick and immediately set up a flowing move which ended with James Jefferson crossing for a scintillating try.

Bown’s conversion and DK made it 29-5.

Lichfield showed signs of life with a superb individual try from Luke Massey on 57 minutes.

But there was no way back DK continued to dominate, despite a yellow card for Ollie Shakepeare.

The killer blow arrived after 75 minutes after a strong scrummage saw the ball spun to Shillingford, whose powerful break carved through the heart of the Lichfield defence before he sent the ever reliable Weaver for in a tremendous try, converted by Bown.