NEIL Shillingford says the next month could shape Dudley Kingswinford's season.

DK secured their third straight success thanks to a hard-fought bonus point win over Hereford last Saturday.

They won 26-15 at Heathbrook thanks to tries from Jordan Brookes, Pete Griffiths, Mitch Grealey and Nick Adams.

The victory keeps the heat on leaders Bromsgrove and second-placed Burton heading into a vital period.

The director of rugby said: "The next few weeks could go a long way to shaping the rest of the season.

"Rugby Lions are set for back-to-back games with both Bromsgrove and Burton while we face something of the unknown in Lutterworth, then Melbourne and Moseley. In the middle of that we also have the North Mids Cup clash with Old Halesonians.

"Bromsgrove and Burton have still got to play each other as well at some stage so there really is everything to play for. It shows how important it is for us to keep picking up the important bonus points.

"We could see a top-three breakaway soon if everything goes to form and we can be in that group. Then it'll come down to reverse fixtures and it's a good place for us to be."

After this Saturday's trip to Lutterworth, DK can then look forward to four successive home games, including the visit of current fourth-placed side Rugby Lions at the start of December.

They go into the key spell on the back of last Saturday's win over Hereford.

Shillingford was pleased with the win but also said his side will continue to work on the areas they want to improve.

He said: "I'm happy with the bonus point against a much-improved Hereford side that has a lot of individual threats.

"We can still improve and we'll be working on the lineout again. It has improved but we just over complicate things. If we can get beyond those first few breakdowns that's when we're at our best."

Sam Vaughan will have a concussion assessment after taking a knock to the head against Hereford but Luke Trevis is available this weekend after being away on county duty.

Trevis' absence did, however, open the door for James Ryan to make his debut on the wing.

Shillingford was pleased with his contribution, adding: "I thought he did well. He's being playing well for the colts and training well so it was good to give him his chance.

"He replaced another colt in the form of Luke Trevis so it shows how we are developing young talent.

"We now also have competition for places and it gives me big decisions to be made."