DUDLEY Kingswinford moved up to second in National Three Midlands with a solid home win over Mansfield.

The Heathbrook side ran in five tries during the first half and though the second period was a little less spectacular, they still outplayed their opponents.

There were several changes to last week’s DK line-up. Influential fly half Jon Higgins was out with a thigh strain and with Gareth Bown still a few weeks away from fitness, Simon Fletcher took on the no 10 mantle.

Matt Farrington went to full back and Greg Lewis came in on the left wing. Shaun Griffiths was unavailable so Ian Langford moved from the flank to second row with Tui Asi Pito and Pete Knight on the flanks.

The opening minutes of the game were pretty much end to end with DK having a slight edge up front. They went in front after eight minutes, after a quick flowing cross field move saw good hands from Ollie Shakespeare send in Matt Farrington at the corner for an unconverted try.

But the lead was short lived as Mansfield struck back after 11 minutes. DK lost possession just outside their 22 and the ball was quickly re-cycled to Mansfield wing Russ Coleman who touched down wide out, levelling the scores at 5-5.

The home side regained the lead with an excellent try on 20 minutes after good breaks form Jordan Brookes and Stefan Shillingford opened up the Mansfield defence and the ball was shipped wide through Tom Weaver to Greg Lewis who took the ball at pace to fly in at the corner.

DK scored a third try after 31 minutes, when heavy pressure on the visitor’s line and quick ruck ball out saw the ubiquitous Ian Langford crash over close in. Simon Fletcher converted to increase the DK lead to 17-5.

On 39 minutes they secured a bonus point with try number four, Tui Asi Pito breaking out before feeding a rampaging Stefan Thorp who smashed through a couple of tackles to score.

Mansfield were beginning to crumble under the onslaught and DK added a fifth try in first half stoppage time as Farrington grabbed his second try for a 27-5 half-time lead.

Farrington did not have to wait long after the restart to complete his hat-trick, while Jordan Brookes added try number seven on the hour.

Several substitutions then seemed to affect DK’s previous fluency and Alan Wilcox went over for a consolation try ten minutes from time.