News

Dudley Old Boys win Summer Sevens

This is the second year of the summer sevenths have been played with more teams joining the competition this year for the first time. It was nice to see teams from the North Midlands joining the competition for the first time including Upton on Severn and Harbourne. There was also a guest team from UWIC (Cardiff) put together by former DK player Rhys Crane son of chairman Ken Crane.

The boisterous crowd at Heathrow was served up some entertaining rugby during the group's stages and the usual mixture of fatigue and errors made the semi finals very entertaining for the crowd. The eventual winners were the DK old boys who proved to be too strong who overcame UWIC in the final outscoring their younger rivals by five tries to two. Led by Kiwi Tui Asi Pito is it was lovely to see their free flowing rugby especially former DK star Steve Smart who some once again graced the Heathbrook turf with his speed and grace. Smarty how we miss you.

Special thanks and should be made to the organizers Adam Blackford and Richard Hickman for their efforts and hopefully that tournament to go from strength to strength and become a regular feature on the club's annual calendar

Ian Gowland Leaving DK

The club has suffered another major loss as another of this senior players Ian Gowland will be leaving before the start of the new season to take up a teaching post in Stockholm. Ian was last year’s captain and also top try scorer and his enthusiasm and work rate will be sadly missed as no doubt will his try scoring ability.

New Club Captain for next season is Ben Connett

If a club or stop the new season with a new captain, second row number eight Ben Connett will take up the challenge of trying to bring about the necessary changes in playing fortune to reverse last season’s relegation from Midland’s 1 and hopefully lead the club to a successful promotion campaign. Ben is under no illusion of how difficult this test may be but will tackle it in his normal single minded and forthright manner stamping his authority on how to the game should be played. This is Ben’s second stint as captain having led the team in their first season in Midlands 1 following the relegation from national league three north.

North Midlands Volunteers Award goes to Roger Port

Roger Port was recently presented with the prestigious North Midlands Volunteer of the Year Trophy at the annual awards evening at Six Ways, the home of Worcester Warriors RFC. Roger deservedly won the award following more than thirty years loyal service to Dudley Kingswinford RFC. In that time he has been Chair of Youth Rugby, Club President, and served as Chair of Rugby for eighteen years. He helped push the club forward to the National Leagues of rugby in that time Roger currently works many hours in an unpaid capacity as Club Manager, and has worked tirelessly in developing the facilities of the club Everyone at Heathbrook is delighted that Roger’s efforts have been recognised

Presentation Evening

Almost 150 players wives girlfriend parents and officials filled the clubhouse for the annual presentation evening. In addition to the main presentations a number of special awards were made including one to Mark Wilson former head coach in recognition of his tremendous service to DK in the 10 years he spent at the club. Another was made to Physio Natalie Wybrow who is leaving to take up work in private physiotherapy practice. The club also made a donation to Mike Fellows on behalf of St John's Ambulance for their service to both the senior and youth section of the club being in attendance every Saturday and Sunday come rain or shine.

 

The Fred Fry Shield	Colts (Captain Danny Hawkins)
First team ties	Andy McEwan & Alex Francis
Colts Coaches Special Award	Darryl Evans
The RJ Smith Cup – Top try scorer	Stephan Shillingford & Jak Davis
Wasps Players Player of the Year	Richard Smith
DK Ladies Players Player of the Year
Ron Nitsch most improved colt	Jak Davis
Dave Vaughan – Young Player of the Year	Andy McEwan
Mac Growcott Cup – Top point scorer	Jordan Brookes (142 points)
Season Ticket Holders Award	Allan Mitchell
Wasps Manager of the Year Award	Ed Parry
Colt of the Year	Stefan Thorpe
DK Ladies Coaches Player of the Year
Development Player of the Year	Tommy Huggins
Wasp of the Year	Dave Hartland
Colts Players Player of the Year	Jak Davis & Chris Bartley
The Players Player of the Year	Andy McEwan
The Paul Keeton Player of the Year	Ben Connett
The Gerry Jones Clubman of the Year	Andy Gallis

Work starts on new changing facilities

Today work got under way on the first phase of the new development of the changing rooms and other club facilities. It is expected that the work will take around five months to complete meaning that the first month the season will see little or no league rugby being played at If  at least throughout September. It is the plan to publish pictures of the development as it progresses and the first few are already in place showing the initial ground works prior to the demolition process. Over the coming weeks and months an update on progress by means of photographs giving a visual display on how the development is progressing.

Colchester Colts Challenge

DK Colts have got another home draw in the National Colts Cup and will be testing themselves against a strong Colchester outfit who scalped Rosslyn Park in the previous round.

Double cup success for DK

DK enjoyed a good weekend in the cup. The 1st XV are through to the semi final of the North Mids cup after defeating Worcester Students, whilst DKs superb colts side are throught to the next round of the National Colts Cup after a fine victory over a strong Doncaster team

DK Summer Ball 2008

A flier for the DK Summer Ball is now on the site, for more information click the link on the left or contact the club

DK Colts in action

DKs all conquering colts are in action at Heathbrook this weekend (9th February) against Worcester Wanderers Colts in the first round of the North Midlands Colts Cup. Kick off is at 2.15pm

The English Colts Knockout Cup Rd 5 (North/Midlands) match against Doncaster Colts has been confirmed for Sunday 24th February K.O. 2.00pm. Get down and support the lads!

International rugby at Broadstreet RFC

On Sunday 3rd February England Deaf take on their Welsh counterparts, the current World Champions, at Broadstreet RFC (K.O. 1pm).

As many associated with the club will know Nigel Francis represents the Welsh Deaf team and has been selected to start the game.

Entry to the ground costs £5 and there will also be a guest appearance from Miss England.

New coaching team at DK

Following the resignation of head coach Mark Wilson prior to the league game against Kenilworth the club has appointed a new coaching team comprising Neil Shillingford and Mark Lockley.

DK move to strengthen injury ravaged squad

Having lost their open six matches the club have moved to strengthen the squad by signing 6 mew players this week. Forwards Paul Coles (front row) Sam Herrington (lock) and Tom McIntosh (back row) have joined from Moseley in time to play against Loughborough Students this weekend. In addition backs James Lloyd Jones (full back) Carl Robinson (Centre) and Dave Hadkiss (Scrum/Fly Half) have joined from near neighbours Stourbridge again in time to play this weekend subject to all the registrations going through on time.  

Injury Update

Following what can only be described as an unprecedented injury list club physio Natalie Wybrow has had her work cut out trying to treat and rehab the players. Still on the treatment list at present are:

Adam Blackford - hooker Broken Rib - mid November

Al Francis - prop - rib cartilage - due end October

Ben Connett - lock - knee due back mid October

Dan Shakespeare - neck - end of October

Wayne Millard - elbow - no date

Gareth Davies - shoulder & arm - New Year

Jon Shankland - broken ankle - New Year

Ben Coles - hamstring - early November

Mike Jones ankle - end October

John Fallon hamstring - end October

Nigel Francis thigh strain - end October

Ian Gowland - broken hand - mid October

Tom Weaver - knee - early November

All change at DK

There has been a lot going on at DK over the last few months much of it not reported. The opportunity has now arisen to rectify this shortcoming and the information below is designed as a summary of what has been going on.

Player Movements:

During the close season the club lost 4 key members of the first team squad. Andy McLellan returned to Kidderminster, Richard port moved to Wolverhampton; skipper Pete Knight to Stourbridge and Eddie Smith retired following the serious eye injury he sustained in the Play Off final at Beverley. Incoming have seen wing Adam Coniff arrive from Walsall & hooker Jeff Large from Solihull. With the current crop of very talented young players the club plan to build their promotion push based on a strong youth development

Changes in the Committee:

Roger Port stood down as Chairmen of Rugby after 14 years at the helm, to be replaced by Ken Crane. Ken's previous role as secretary has been filled by Dave Coyle who now adds this to his role of programme editor.

Coaching Changes:

Mark Wilson continues in his role as Head Coach and will be supported by an extensive range of coaches. Warwick Bullock will take a greater role in developing the forwards with Andy Grosvenor and Simon Taylor assisting Mark with the backs. Bob Ashwood will take an active role in working to develop fitness and stamina. Simon Hart remains as Development Team coach and is supported by Julian Pugh and Gary Smith who have moved up from the colts. The Colts will now be coached by Mark Lockley & Neil Shillingford

New Brewery:

After 10 very successful association with Scottish & Newcastle the club have formed a new partnership with Marstons Breweries (Formerly Bank's) to be the exclusive supplier of beers & lager to the club. The new agreement will take effect around the middle of October with a special promotion day planned for Saturday 20th World Cup Final day.

Luctonians League game officially abandoned

Luctonians result declared void. DK lost a front row forward after 4 minutes, and again after 32 minutes meaning that the game was effectively abandoned because it resorted to uncontested scrums. As a result the game will be replayed on Saturday13th October - Kick Off 3.00pm

Club shocked by the news of the sudden death of Gavin Tipper

Gavin's untimely passing has been received with shock and great sadness by his many friends and fellow players at the club. It has already been said by many that Gavin really was a great guy, a gentle giant, a superb athlete and tremendous forward for many years with DK. His dedication and fitness saw him play with distinction in the 1st XV until he reached 40, after which his athletic prowess took him into triathlons where he became a fine competitor. It was during a training run on Tuesday evening with colleagues from Black Country Tri Athletes that Gavin collapsed and was rushed to Sandwell General Hospital where despite heroic efforts to save him, he sadly passed away. Gavin has the honour of being the only player representing DK to score a try at Twickenham when he appeared for the club in the NPI Cup final in 1999. On behalf of everyone at DK, the club would like to offer their heartfelt condolences, to his wife Mandy and children, Lara and Jacob at this very sad time

Presentation night

Another successful evening at the club was held last Saturday for the annual presentation of awards for the season. Over 150 players, officials together with partners attended in what was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

• Jerry Jones Clubman of the Year - Ros Lob & Ellen Harris
• Paul Keeton Player of the Season - Shaun Griffiths
• Player's player of the season - Pete Knight
• David Vaughan Young Player of the Year - Adam Blackford
• Season tickets player of the season- Simon Fletcher
• Mac Growcott - Top Points Scorer - Tom Bissell 119
• RJ Smith - Top Try Scorer - James Jefferson 23
• Fred Fry Shield - Wasps - captain - Richard (Woolfie) Smith
• Development Player of the Season - Liam Reynolds
• Colt of The Year - Gareth Bown
• Ron Nitsch Most Improved Colt - Michael Whitehouse
• Colts player's player - Danny Hawkins
• Wasp of the year - Dave Hartland
• Wasps Player of the Year - Neil Shillingford
• Wasps manager's player of the Season - Lloyd Davies
• First team Ties - Dan Chesham

Eddie Smith announces his retirement

Long serving fly half eddie Smith has announced his retirement from rugby following a series of injuries that have dogged him over the last couple of seasons. In a career spanning 10 years Eddie has been an integral part of a back division that was equal to any around. He made his debut at 18, played in the DK team that reached the final of the NPI cup in 1999 making the break that led to DK's opening try. A member of the league & cup double winning side the following season that took DK into the National leagues for the first time Eddie continued to play even whilst studying at Sheffield University. A tough tackling Nr 10 saw Eddie make more than his fair share of big hits over time, and it was those that eventually made him make his decision after having to retire from the play off final game against Beverley at the end of April. That injury may still yet require further medical treatment as the recovery is taking longer than originally expected. Eddie will be missed as a player, but will not be lost from the club as head coach Mark Wilson has already asked him to join his coaching team.

Andy McLellan returns to Kidderminster

First team full back Any McLellan has left DK after 5 seasons to return to his home town club Kidderminster, to aid them in their revival plans to move up the league structure. A committed and enthusiastic player Andy has been the last line of defence for several seasons - secure under the high ball, solid in the tackle and has had varied success as a goal kicker to go along with it. All at DK wish Andy all the best in his quest to revive Kidderminster's the fortunes.