DUDLEY Kingswinford director of rugby Neil Shillingford wants his players to keep their composure as they near the try line.

Shillingford was again left frustrated at missed opportunities in last Saturday’s home defeat to Worcester Wanderers.

DK lost 17 - 11 at Heathbrook but did secure a losing bonus point after Duncan Tompkins landed a penalty with the last kick of the contest.

However, once again, Shillingford thinks the chances were there to take the victory.

He said: “The conditions were tricky but I think we had the chances to win it.

“We didn’t create as many as the week before but we still could have gone over two or three times if only the final pass was right.

“I think the reason we aren’t getting that right is because the players are a little anxious when we are near the try line.We need to try and relax and get the final pass right. At the moment we are trying to force the issue. Put that right and we could really cause problems.

“We got on the wrong side of the ref and were punished by their kicker, which gave us a lot to do.

The opening exchanges against Worcester saw DK use the wind to gain territory and an early lead was secured when Tomkins kicked a penalty.

This was followed on 33 minutes by a long raking diagonal kick into the clubhouse corner by the same player, which led to a passage of play deep in the Worcester 22, leading to a Worcester scrum. The DK pack applied pressure and the resulting clearing kick was charged down by Mitch Grealey. The loose ball was picked up by his centre partner Stef Shillingford who went in for the try to put DK 8 - 0 up.

On 36 minutes, Tom Biggs landed his first penalty of the game to cut the deficit at half time.

Within the first 15 minutes of the second half, DK were on the wrong end of several penalty decisions which meant that Tom Biggs added two more penalties and DK were trailing 9 - 8 going into the final quarter.

Then a line out on the DK 22 saw Worcester pinch the ball before their hooker raced down the five metre channel for the try with the DK’s backs aligned for a clearing kick.

Another Worcester penalty from Tom Biggs edged the visitors further ahead by 17 - 8.

However, DK sparked into action for the final few minutes and kept the ball alive for multiple phases. Working their way down the field, they force Worcester into giving away a penalty.

Time all but up, Tompkins takes on the penalty into the wind and lands a valuable bonus point.

“Our task now is to cut the gap between those teams above us,” added Shillingford.

“Hopefully, once we reach the half way mark in the season, the players will realise there is no one in the league to fear and can aim to finish really strong.”

DK take on Hereford at home this Saturday. Their opposition sit just two places and six points above them.

Pete Knight should return after missing the Worcester game but an injury to Gareth Bown will have to be reassessed.

Mitch Grealey is out but Karl Lockley will be available.