DUDLEY Kingswinford director of rugby Gordon Bannatyne insisted he couldn’t ask for anymore from his players this week following their 73-3 mauling by league leaders Macclesfield in National Two North.

Macclesfield showed rock bottom DK no mercy as they rampaged their way to an 11-try spree.

Bannatyne said: “The score-line was very disappointing, but we gave the best we could, but it was very difficult defending wave after wave of attacks.”

DKs made six changes from the side which lost to Harrogate the previous week and their worst fears proved founded when Macclesfield winger Mark King waltzed his way over for a couple of tries within the opening six minutes.

By the 28th minute, Macclesfield had already made certain of the bonus-point and continued to score at regular intervals while skipper Tommy Eaton defied a swerling wind to land nine conversions Team manager Mark Holloway added: “It could have been worse.

“But we played with a lot of determination and guts.

“We put out the best side we had available and the players performed with a great deal of heart. “The pleasing thing is that we never gave up. “We were just well beaten by a better side”.

DK were already 20-0 down when awarded a penalty which fly-half Kieran Pinches landed — but it was the only time DK troubled the scoreboard.

DK’s will now look to regroup ahead of this Saturday’s short trip to local rivals Birmingham and Solihull.

They are hoping to have prop Steve Blackburn back in action.

However, they still have doubts over back row players Pete Knight and Jon Tideswell, together with centre Harry Bayliss.

DK are also hoping to have another player on loan from Stourbridge available to play.

They already have prop Tom May and winger Ashley Oyekan.

Bannatyne added: “We very grateful to Neil Mitchell, but we could do with another.”

The Bees currently sit in ninth place after Saturday’s 34-27 defeat at Harrogate.