Express & Star

DK impress but leaders come out on top

Dudley Kingswinford pushed Midlands One West leaders Bridgnorth all the way, but the table-toppers held on to win 23-16.

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The wind played it's part and saw DK kick off poorly, leading to Bridgnorth securing five points during the opening minutes of the match.

This stung DK into action and Mitch Grealy, Ryan Wicketts and Nic Adams all helped them make good ground before two penalties from Duncan Tompkins put them in front at 6-5.

DK had a chance to push on for the win, but a handling error by Adams cost them a chance of a try and two unconverted scores by Bridgnorth put them firmly in charge, 15-6 ahead.

However, DK came roaring back and a penalty try – converted by Tompkins – as well as another three points from Tompkins' boot put them in front by a point for the second time.

Bridgnorth would deny them the win though as they used the wind to their advantage to score eight unanswered points.

There is no game for DK this Saturday, but rock-bottom Walsall – who lost 65-8 to Leek at the weekend – host Bridgnorth.

Stourbridge suffered yet another major blow to their National League Two North promotion hopes after a 10-3 home defeat against Leicester Lions.

Despite dominating first-half possession and territory, the squad were guilty of trying to force matters, with too many final passes going astray.

After a scoreless first half, the Lions struck in the second period with a try for winger Sam Benjamin, quickly followed by another for replacement Will Roach.

A late penalty by full-back Tom Mitchell brought Stour within a score, but they paid the price for not converting pressure into points as they crashed to their second consecutive defeat.

In third place, Stourbridge are two points second-placed Sedgley Park having played three games more. They travel to second-bottom Broadstreet on Saturday.

In National Three Midlands, third-placed Old Halesonians went down to defeat against second-placed Scunthorpe, slipping six points behind the promotion places in the process.

It was bound to be a tough clash as the two teams are both sat in the top three.

Old Hales would have moved up into the play-off spot with a win, but were left looking a bit worse for wear after the Lincolnshire side dominated the game, emerging 28-10.

The first half saw Old Hales defences pushed to the limit and it wasn't until the remaining 40 minutes they managed to secure their 10 points.

Despite Pete Fitzgerald breaking through from 15 yards out, it was soon nullified by Scunthorpe's strong teamwork, earning the squad a bonus point.

Old Hales will be looking to put things right when they host fifth-placed Peterborough Lions on Saturday.

Meanwhile, eighth-placed Lichfield celebrated a strong 22-8 away win against Bromsgrove – they face seventh-placed Syston next.

After successive defeats in Midlands Two West, Kidderminster got back on track with a six-try bonus-point win against Handsworth.

Kidderminster will travel to face Banbury in a cup match on Saturday.

In Midlands Three West, seventh-placed Burntwood lost 18-13 against fifth-placed Clee Hill, while Wednesbury lost 13-9 to Eccleshall.

In Midlands Four West, Aldridge lost 24-21 to Bromyard and Rugeley lost 11-0 to Telford Hornets.

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