PROMOTION chasers Dudley Kingswinford have switched this weekend’s proposed Midlands One West fixture at Moseley Oak to a Friday night affair, kick-off 7.45pm.

The alteration has occurred to avoid the game clashing with a Moseley First XV contest which would have been taking place at Billesley Common at the same time.

DK director of rugby Neil Shillingford explained: “It’s one of those. We’ve agreed to go on Friday night so that we can have use of a better pitch.

“Had we stuck to Saturday, it would have meant playing on one of the pitches on the Common, which wouldn’t be too conducive to good rugby.

“Obviously, we’re aware that Moseley Oak have better results playing on a Friday night, so there is an element of risk in it

“But in fairness to Moseley, this isn’t a spur of the moment situation as there was always going to be issues with this fixture.

“However, it won’t alter anything from our perspective as we will still train on Tuesday and Thursday, although it helps having last Saturday off."

Shillingford is well aware his side cannot afford to slip-up at Moseley Oak as they attempt to chase down second placed Newbold on Avon.

DK are currently six points adrift of Newbold with six games to play – but the pair must meet the following Saturday (March 10) at Heathbrook in what Shillingford suggests will be a crunch game.

He said: “All we can do is play it week-by-week. We cannot start thinking too far ahead.

“Even if we were to beat Newbold next week, we would still need them to slip up somewhere else.

“All we can concentrate on is getting a bonus point win at Moseley Oak and keep putting pressure on Newbold.

“It could easily all come down to the last game of the season – but if we slip-up, then we only have ourselves to blame."

Shillingford should have a full squad of players at his disposal with the exception of front row player Aaron Hudson who has been sidelined since before Christmas with concussion.

Shillingford said: “We have to be careful – but there’s no reason to rush him back. At the moment, Aaron is the only notable absentee.”