Dk slip to ninth defeat in row

The scoreline may make DK's ninth league defeat in a row look like a rout, but for large periods of their 31-3 loss to Kenilworth the Heathbrook side were competitive.

The visitors conceded 20 points in the final 10 minutes, having dominated the first period of the second-half.

However, the time for reasoning and trying to work out why this faltering side, despite recent improvement, has not registered a point this season has long-passed.

Mark Wilson's side need to start getting results quickly because they are drifting ever further into Midlands One obscurity.

Whipping boys DK are not, but their league form and position is depressingly accurate.

For once, their normally reliable pack and, especially their back row, were ineffective at Glasshouse Lane.

They were not helped by being without a few of their new signings - Dave Hadkiss, Sam Herrington and Tom McIntosh - and, as a result, the performance resembled those of the season's early stages.

Both sides looked eager to run the ball from the start but it soon became apparent that DK were going to struggle.

The Kenilworth pack pressed strongly and hooker Matt Davies was driven over from a penalty catch and drive to put the home side 5-0 up after17 minutes.

The home side kept up the pressure aided and abetted to a great degree by an alarming number of errors and turnovers from DK.

It was no surprise when they increased their lead after 26 minutes. Kenilworth's impressive outside centre James Hersey broke the DK line to send in Rupert Cooper for an easy try and 12-0.

Had DK's scrum stood up to the onslaught in the first period after the break the game might have been different but it was constantly wheeled and overpowered, which did not allow a platform from which the rest of the side to work.

The confidence had visibly drained from the DK pack after failing to breach the K's defence and the less said about the final ten minutes the better.