DK chief Neil Shillingford wary of Worcester threat

DK head to Worcester this Saturday with director of rugby Shillingford eager for his team to back up last Friday’s 24-0 win over Droitwich.

The hosts sit 11th in the table having lost three of their opening four fixtures yet, crucially, the three defeats have come against teams currently sitting in the top four.

Shillingford said: “It’s always a tough game down there and we certainly won’t be taking anything for granted.

“Worcester have some good players and they are usually strong in the set piece so we need to be on our guard.

“The performance against Droitwich was much more like it, but we need to back it up.”

Tries from Rhys Davies, Sam Vaughan, Matt Perks and Tommy Weaver earned DK a bonus-point victory in the first-ever league game played under the lights at Heathbrook.

Shillingford was pleased with the response of his team following their heavy defeat at Bromsgrove the previous week.

“It was very much what we wanted to see from the players. Perhaps the only frustration was we could have won the game by more,” he said.

“That wasn’t necessarily the fault of the players. The officials spent a lot of time discussing decisions and it meant the game was very stop-start. It was difficult to get into any kind of rhythm.

“We dominated, which was pleasing. I don’t think they managed to get into our 22 all night.

“After Bromsgrove, it was important we bounced back in the right manner and we did that.

“It was a decent crowd. I am not sure I would want to be playing on Friday night every week but it makes a nice change every now and again.”

Old Halesonians bounced back from their defeat to Newbold by beating Worcester 38-13. They travel to Stoke on Saturday.

Stourbridge Lions, who are third following a 32-7 win over Moseley Oak, host leaders Newbold.