DUDLEY Kingswinford continued their winning run with a hard-fought victory at Mansfield.

It was the toughest game DK have been involved in for several weeks as the hosts dominated the breakdown area for long periods.

But the visitors are not second in the league for no reason and their defence held firm, while the backs made the most of their opportunities.

DK got off to a poor start as their kick-off failed to make 0 metres and this allowed the hosts to seize the early initiative, pinning DK in their own half until Lee Shaw’s penalty after seven minutes opened the scoring.

The visitors hit back, with Stef Shillingford setting up Duncan Chance for the opening try which was converted by Higgins.

Shaun Griffiths was then penalised for not rolling away at the breakdown and the resultant penalty was gratefully accepted by Shaw to take the score to 7-6.

However, DK were starting to impose their play on the home side and from a lineout a catch and drive saw flanker Pete Knight score a try which was converted by Jon Higgins.

The lead was increased three minutes before the break. Good forward play from Rich Kelley and Tom Bissell set up winger Chance for his second try which Higgins narrowly failed to convert.

James Jefferson was then bundled into touch just short of the line as Dk settled for a 19-6 lead at the break.

DK started the second half on top but it was Mansfield who opened the scoring. A break from their own half stretched the visiting defence and although they thwarted the initial attack, from the resulting ruck Shaw took an inside pass to score between the posts, before adding the conversion.

But DK bounced back immediately from the restart following a powerful break by Jon Tideswell through the middle which was carried on by the forwards and Tideswell was eventually on the end of the move to score a try out wide.

Back came Mansfield to score another try through Russ Coleman, before Higgins gave the visitors breathing space with a penalty.

Mansfield were putting up a tremendous fight and it is credit to DK’s defence that they did not reduce the lead.

DK should have sewn the game up at this stage but their fragile lineout was under pressure from the home eight and quality possession from this area was somewhat restricted.

But the pressure was finally released as a break down the blind side by Jordan Brookes saw him put Higgins into space and he darted 20 metres for the score.

The hosts were now beginning to tire and Jefferson added try number six to seal the game soon after.

To their credit, Mansfield hit back with a try from Tom Calladine but DK still had the final word, with Jefferson getting his second try after he intercepted a pass and sprinted 50 metres to the line.