Dudley Kingswinford 24, Burton 18

DUDLEY Kingswinford claimed their first league victory in 38 attempts as they battled their way to success against Burton today.

New director of rugby Carl Douglas also secured his first win since taking on the role of turning the club around following last season's relegation.

With the league's two bottom sides going head-to-head at Heathbrook, it felt like it was now or never for DK if they were to show signs of recovery from 18 months of defeat and disappointment.

It was the home side that started the brighter and could have taken a quick lead if Kieran Pinches had kicked a penalty chance in the first five minutes.

However, DK were left frustrated after their possession and pressure couldn't be turned into points on the board.

Instead, against the run of play, it was Burton that opened the scoring.

The visitors took a quick penalty that resulted in Darryl Banton getting clear to make it 5-0. The try went unconverted.

More frustration followed when, on 17 minutes, David Archer intercepted a DK pass to race away for another Burton try. He then got up to convert to take the score quickly to 12-0.

DK reacted well to the set back and finally got on the scoreboard when a quickly-taken penalty saw Liam Marshall go over for their first try, which was converted by Pinches.

Burton soon limited the damage, however, when Archer kicked a penalty after DK were penalised for offside straight after the kick off.

But DK brought themselves within a point at the break when Richard Kelley powered over on 38 minutes after the ball was worked out to the right. Pinches converted to leave the half time score 14-15.

An evenly matched second period came to life when DK's Nick Adams broke away to score on 53 minutes. Again, Pinches converted.

He then bagged a penalty five minutes later to extend the home side's advantage to 24-15.

However, the visitors were handed a way back into the contest when Tony Gordan saw yellow after illigally halting a Burton advance.

But, with a long-awaiting victory insight, DK's defence held firm.

There was just time for Archer to slot home a late penalty to give Burton a bonus point to take away as the scores finished 24-18.

The DK faithful will now be hoping the victory proves a significant moment in Carl Douglas' on-going rebuilding efforts.

Dudley Kingswinford: Williams, Adams, Marshall, Jones, Gordon, Pinches, Jones, Kelley, Parkes, Francis, Parry, Knight, Hawkins, Greenwood, Tideswell. Bench: Chivers, Francis, Brown.

Burton: Oxley, D. Smith, Archer, S. Smith, Benjamin, Titley, Banton, Musetti, Burrough, Tivey, Cartwright, Brooks, Neale, Browne, Gazzard. Bench: Nicholls, Roach, Parkinson.