DUDLEY Kingswinford returned to winning ways with victory at Crewe and Nantwich last Saturday.

DK hit back well after two successive defeats against Bournville and Burton left their promotion hopes in tatters.

Before the trip to Crewe, director of rugby Neil Shillingford challenged his players to make sure their season didn't peter out.

He got the response he wanted as his side secured a fine 24-8 success.

He said: "It was very pleasing. We set our stall out to go and get five points again.

"The players were challenged the previous week to show they wanted to be here and be part of the side we will build next season, and they answered that really well and showed the character I wanted.

"Crewe and Nantwich is a difficult place to go because they will try and get you into a bit of a street fight and it would have been easy for us to lose our discipline.

"Instead we managed to maintain our game plan and didn't get distracted. Earlier in the season that is something we would have done so it again showed our progress."

DK don't have a game this Saturday but will return to action on Saturday, February 11 when Worcester Wanderers visit Heathbrook.

That is the first of back-to-back home games as Hereford then visit on February 18.

Shillingford is keen for his side to pick up more points in from of his own fans.

"Having two home games coming up is something we will really look forward to," he added. "We all want to end the season well and those games will hopefully help us do that."