DUDLEY Kingswinford RFC coach Neil Shillingford has promised his players won’t ease off as they prepare for the North Midlands Cup final.
DK face Luctonians in their final game of the season at Stourbridge’s Stourton Park on Sunday (kick-off 3pm) after downing recently crowned Midlands Two West champions Bromsgrove 33-17 in a pulsating semi-final at Heathbrook last Thursday.
Shillingford says Sunday’s clash is a chance for his side to test themselves against higher-ranked opponents.
Herefordshire-based Luctonians finished third in Midland One this season – one league above DK.
Shillingford said: “They did very well in their league, they are a strong side and it’s going to be interesting to see how we get on.
“The lads have worked hard all season but we will be taking this game very seriously, we plan to hold two good training sessions and will give it 100 per cent. “It’s nice to end the season with a cup final but it will be even better if we win.”
Last Thursday’s semi-final drew a healthy crowd of around 450 to Heathbrook and they were not disappointed as DK produced some of their best rugby of the season to blow away their title-winning opponents.
After falling behind to an early penalty, tries from man-of-the-match Stefan Shillingford, 18-year-old winger Jak Davis and Robbie Harlow put the home side 21-3 up at the break.
Though the visitors fought back in the second period two magical tries from the diminutive Davis saw DK eventually run out comfortable winners.
Shillingford believes his side will carry confidence from the display as they look for promotion next term.
He added: “It was a great team performance, our forward line were very strong and it allowed us to dominate the game.
“Bromsgrove are a good side so it was satisfying to beat them again. We have shown when we are on top of our game we are a match for anyone.”
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