DUDLEY Kingswinford’s hopes of a first National Two North win of the season were ended at Harrogate.

Despite going into the game game full of optimism they went down 38-8, despite a spirited second-half display.

After an early chance had come and gone for DK it was Harrogate who went ahead when Noel Miniken went over after the forwards had pushed the visitors back 20 metres and Joe Rowntree kicked the extra points. Sam Bottomley then ran the length of the pitch to touch down, Rowntree again adding the conversion.

In a carbon copy of their first try Aurin Yorke touched down to make it 19-0 but the away side were undeterred and following some extreme pressure Harrogate’s Bottomley received a yellow card. Gareth Bown found touch and DK won a good line-out ball and following a flowing movement along the backs Liam Marshall crashed over for a fine try. Bown then converted with an excellent kick from the touchline.

But with half-time approaching following some poor DK tackling, the hosts created space in the centres and Stephen Parsons took full advantage to score. Once again Rowntree added the extra two points.

DK started the second half exactly as they did the first, exerting pressure on the hosts only to be let down by some indifferent tackling. This was highlighted in the 45th minute when Harrogate’s centre Luke Edwards took advantage of poor defence to score. Once again the reliable Rowntree converted.

In the 69th minute and with Harrogate down to 14, DK were throwing everything at them when totally against the run of play they broke out of defence well inside their own half for Danny Matthews to score. With Joe Rowntree, who had kicked magnificently all afternoon, off the field the try went unconverted.