DUDLEY Kingswinford Director of Rugby Carl Douglas admits his side are firmly in a relegation fight but says his players are good enough to beat the drop.

DK fell to their tenth successive defeat in National League Three Midlands when losing 22-9 away to third from bottom Bournville last Saturday.

The loss leaves them rooted the bottom of the league and in serious danger of suffering back-to-back relegations.

However, Douglas remains upbeat and backed his players to respond in the right manner.

He said: "We are very much in a relegation scrap but will not be panicking.

"I have told the players that we are in control of our own destiny.

"We are good enough to get out but must now get our house in order and make sure we are sustaining our effort for 80 minutes rather than 50 or 60.

"We must continue to work hard because I think our fate is within our control. We are losing games because of what we are doing wrong, not what other teams are doing to us.

"Moral in the camp is good."

Against Bournville, DK began to ease their way into the game with play being contested between the two 22 metre lines.

After 14 minutes the visitors was penalised for the tackler not releasing. Bournville shunned the kick at goal opting to kick for the corner instead.

From the resulting lineout they secured possession and formed a rolling maul with hooker Danny Griffin being driven over the line for the opening score.

Straight from the re-start, DK put the homes side under pressure and were awarded a penalty for their efforts. They also opted to kick for position but unlike Bournville, they were unable to win their lineout and the hosts cleared.

DK’s aggressive tackling began to put Bournville under pressure which led to them giving away a penalty in the 20th minute. This time they elected to kick for goal and Jamie Hearn duly added the three points.

DK were now beginning to gain the upper hand and four minutes later they were awarded another kickable penalty.

However, before the kick could be taken the game was held up due to a head injury to one of the Bournville players. An ambulance was called for and the players were able to retire to the changing rooms. The delay lasted for 40 minutes. The game restarted with Jamie Hearn kicking the penalty.

Bournville regained the lead on 26 minutes when flyhalf Scot Harman broke from deep and kicked ahead for winger Ashley Knight to collected and touch down. Harman then added the extras.

Undeterred, DK came storming back and were awarded a further penalty. Once again Hearn successfully added the three points before half time.

In contract to the first 40 minutes, the second half proved to be a dour affair as the heavy Bournville pack began to take control.

However, it was not until DK had been reduced to 14 following a yellow card for second row Edlyn Serge that Bournville were able to convert their possession into points.

On the hour mark Adam Woodfield crossed for a Bournville try.

The final quarter of the game was riddled with DK errors, putting themselves under pressure trying to play catch-up rugby with their limited possession and a home side unable to capitalise on their supremacy.

It was not until right on full time that Bournville were able to break the deadlock when centre Ned Stephenson crossed.

"We started very well in what was an open and competitive game," added Douglas. "I think the delay hindered us more. We were knocked out of our rhythm, could get field position and never got back into it.

"The effort was there but we must be more precise with everything we do."

DK will look to claim a much-needed win when they welcome Bromsgrove to Heathbrook this Saturday (2.15pm).

Danny Hawkins will face a late fitness test.