DK 26, Hereford 15

DUDLEY Kingswinford secured a hard-fought bonus point success over Hereford at Heathbrook.

Neil Shillingford's men ran in four tries to eventually overcome a stubborn Hereford outfit that kept the game alive thanks to a spirited second half fightback.

However, despite the test, tries from Jordan Brookes, Pete Griffiths, Mitch Grealey and Nick Adams were enough for the home side to chalk up their third straight win.

It was DK that started with a high tempo as they looked to play with the ball in hand.

But they found themselves behind against the run of play after just eight minutes.

A host of missed tackles midway inside the Hereford half saw the visitors quickly on the attack and Leon Parsons going over. The unconverted try had Hereford 5-0 ahead with DK having to rebuild despite their better start.

The home side were soon asking questions again but were left frustrated on 16 minutes when two line-outs deep in Hereford territory went begging.

The pressure eventually told though with the visitors reduced 14 men with a yellow brandished for repeat infringements at the breakdown.

Dudley soon took advantage on 19 minutes to edge themselves ahead for the first time.

Another penalty saw DK opt for the scrum and it was a decision that rewarded Pete Griffith with a try as the pack powered over. Sam Vaughan slotted the extras to make it 7-5.

DK edged further ahead ten minutes later when Mitch Grealey expertly picked up Connah Jones' pass to score after the ball had been worked left following Jordan Brookes' steal at the scrum.

Heathbrook was again cheering four minutes before the break when Nick Adams powered over on the right flank after another scrum under the posts saw Stef Shillingford and Brookes link up and find the winger.

The second half was a much more scrappy affair as Hereford looked to hit back.

DK struggled to find their rhythm and visiting skipper Tom Ewins sidestepped well to go over 12 minutes after the restart. James Stubbs converted to make it 19-12.

DK's penalty count was soon on the up and Stubbs fired over after the home side were penalised for holding on to make it a four point game approaching the hour mark.

The hosts regathered and were soon searching for the try that would secure the vital bonus point.

Hereford found themselves under the cosh nearing the 70 minute mark as DK looked to push over from the scrum just a few yards out.

However, when Rich Kelly went down after the third reset it looked like Hereford had survived.

But, just one minute later, DK bagged the try that wrapped up the victory and added the extras.

A trademark Shillingford break then saw debutant winger James Ryan carry the ball inside before releasing Brookes to score.

Adams slotted the conversion to leave the clash 26-15 at full time.

DK were made to work hard for the points, especially after Hereford's second half fight back, but they got the job done to make it three wins in a row following their defeat to leaders Burton.

A trip to Lutterworth now awaits next weekend.

DK: Adams, Ryan, Shillingford (c), Vaughan, Smitheman, Jones, Brookes, Kelley, Squire, Hudson, Nicholls, Perks, Grealey, Hawkins, Griffiths.

Replacements: Williams, Greenwood, Hancox.

Hereford: Day, Down, Ewins (c), Stubbs, Parsons, Osbourne, Jennings, Hill, Jordan, Boden, Humphreys, Preece, Fisher, Yarranton, Hutcheson.

Replacements: Suet, Harding, Brown.