Mitch calls for cool heads (From Halesowen News)

Mitch calls for cool heads

2:00pm Thursday 20th December 2012 in Stourbridge RFC

NEIL Mitchell has backed Stourbridge to keep their passions in check in Saturday’s derby showdown.

The Saxons head to Heathbrook as big favourites and looking to make it 16 wins from 16 in National League Two North, following last weekend’s 52-5 demolition of Westoe.

Director of rugby Mitchell knows they will face a fired up Dudley Kingswinford but will urge his side to keep their cool, after drawing on the experience of the Moseley v Coventry fixtures he experienced during his playing days.

Mitchell said: “Some of those games were bloodbaths.

“Sometimes if you are the underdog your heart can rule your head.

“Undoubtedly when you play with passion you can get a boost of 10 to 15 per cent but it has to be controlled.

“The way we will look to counteract is with our work-rate. We have very capable players.”

He added: “I actually think it’s a difficult job for Jon (Higgins).

“DK have a lot of lads who are passionate and have been at the club for a long time, they have done an outstanding job in that respect.

“But our players are employed with one aim only and that is promotion. I’m confident they won’t get carried away.”

While DK have experienced indifferent results this season, Mitchell makes no secret of his admiration for their achievements over the past few years.

And he has pointed to their recent victory over Luctonians as a reason why they cannot be taken lightly.

He said: “To claw their way back and win after being well behind shows you the kind of side they are. They have been used to winning at their own place over the past couple of seasons.

“Nobody is expecting them to win on Saturday but I’m very conscious they are a side who can produce.

“Having played everyone in this league now, I can say three out of just seven players I would add to our squad are at DK.

“On Saturday there is nothing to lose for them and everything to lose for us.

“I don’t think for a single second it is going to be a dull game.”

Long term absentees Tom Jarvis and Richard Stott both return to the Stour squad for Saturday’s game.