DUDLEY Kingswinford resumed their season with a comprehensive five try win over Hinckley.

They didn’t have everything their own way as the visiting pack were a real force to be reckoned with.

But in the end the DK backs were just too good with their pace and guile providing many attacking opportunities during the game.

There were four changes to the DK side that won at Broadstreet before Xmas. James Jefferson returned to the left wing in place of Dave Platts, Al Francis (LHP) and Luke Greenwood (H) replaced Rich Kelley and James Parkes in the front row and Matt Squire made his debut on the open side flank, replacing Sam Pedley. Rich Kelley.

After dominating the opening exchanges, DK took the lead after six minutes when fly half Gareth Bown’s superb, mesmeric break through a crowded Hinckley 22 laid on a try for hooker Luke Greenwood. Simon Fletcher converted.

Hinckley fly half Tom Short missed a 12th minute penalty when DK went over the top at a ruck, while the hosts might well have scored a second try on 16 minutes but the ball carrier was held back illegally by Hinckley flanker Tom Morris, who received a yellow card for his trouble.

On 22 minutes a thumping tackle from DK’s debutant flanker Matt Squire caused Hinckley to spill the ball in midfield giving DK the overlap and Duncan Chance who cantered in from 30 metres out.

Fletcher kicked a fine conversion for DK to lead 14-0.

Good teamwork from DK then brought them a third try after 26 minutes. Slick inter-passing took play up into the visitor’s 22 before Tom Weaver was brought down five metres short and Shaun Griffiths exploded over the line from the ensuing ruck.

DK were unable to keep up this frantic momentum and Hinckley gradually managed an extended period of pressure. They were awarded three consecutive penalties under the home posts and opted for the scrum every time, culminating in a penalty try after the third offence which Tom Short converted after 35 minutes to reduce the deficit to 21-7.

Hinckley’s revival continued for the first ten minutes of the second half but in a swift, isolated attack against the run of play saw DK move the ball at lightning speed to within five metres of the visitors line where Hinckley, in some disarray, were penalised. DK scrum half Jordan Brookes tapped the ball and was over the line for the bonus point fourth try before the Hinckley cover could blink.

Fletcher stroked over the conversion and DK were firmly back in the driving seat at 28-7 up.

DK then rang the changes as Adam Greaves replaced Tom Bissell, Rich Kelley/Al Francis and Jon Higgins/Tom Weaver. The fresh legs seemed to invigorate the DK side and it became even more difficult for the visitors when prop Dave Peck was yellow carded for collapsing a maul.

DK were again in full control and doing all of the attacking. Skipper Ollie Shakespeare got over the Hinckley line after an hour but Brother Dan (of all people!) had given him a forward pass.

Nevertheless DK were back on song and despite heroic defence form their visitors fashioned a wonderful fifth try after 72 minutes.

Player coach Jon Higgins, who had come on at fly half, created space on the right Higgins fired out a huge and deadly accurate bullet of a misdirection pass to Chance who caught it at pace to run in unopposed.