DK looking for great escape
DK have the unenviable task of a trip to Luctonians on Saturday (2.15pm) after a morale-sapping 18-9 defeat to Peterborough which hammered another nail in their relegation coffin.
DK have the unenviable task of a trip to Luctonians on Saturday (2.15pm) after a morale-sapping 18-9 defeat to Peterborough which hammered another nail in their relegation coffin.
The Heathbrook side are now anchored to the bottom of Midlands One, and only the greatest of great escapes will see them avoid relegation.
Last weekend's clash was billed as a must-win by coach Neil Shillingford and, after a bright opening 20 minutes, everything looked to be going to plan.
Full back Cameron Pimlow opened the scoring for DK with a fifth minute penalty as the home side forced the visitors to infringe.
DK's pace in the loose was causing the heavier Boro pack a few problems and another well struck penalty from Pimlow, after 15 minutes, increased the home side's lead.
DK kept up the momentum and Pimlow made it 9-0 after 19 minutes as the home side began to grow in confidence.
However, that was as good as it got for the DK faithful. A penalty from fly-half Jason O' Toole brought the visitors back into it and Peterborough's heavier pack was beginning to get on top.
The turning point came at the end of the first half when left wing Alex Ciuchlejus sped in for a well-worked try and O' Toole's conversion gave the visitors a 10-9 lead at the break.
Except for a brief flurry at the start of the half, DK were kept under almost constant pressure throughout the second period with the Peterborough forwards ominously stronger as the game wore on.
And the game was decided after 65 minutes when tight head James Clarke drove over for a 15-9 scoreline.
A converted try would have still been enough for DK to win, but O' Toole's penalty, eight minutes before time, ended any thoughts of a comeback.
• Midlands Five West (North) leaders Handsworth could wrap up the title this weekend as they welcome Stourport to The Charles Lewis Memorial Ground.
They recorded their 12th victory of the campaign on Saturday when they won 23-15 at Old Griffs and, with only five games left, second placed Bloxwich look unlikely to catch them.
On Saturday, Griffs went ahead early on with a penalty but Handsworth hit back with a brace of penalties from Paul Rogers.
The home side were 10-6 in front soon after following a converted try but John Macey's try and Rogers' extra points put Handsworth back in control.
Handsworth's second try came from lock Gareth Guest and Rogers again converted to make it 20-10.
Rogers added another penalty in the second half and a Griffs try was not enough to spark a comeback.
• Walsall are facing a tricky trip to Solihull in Midlands West (Two) at the weekend as they look to continue their form following a fine 31-26 win over Burton.
The Delves Road team were tested against in-form Burton but skipper Steve Halbert epitomised the effort as he scored two tries and set up another.
