A poor first half display saw DMPRFC give themselves no chance of a second half recovery at the Rectory Field HQ of Blackheath RFC this weekend, as the visitors went down 23 – 7.

A pointless first half and a déjà vu replica performance like that of the one at home against Henley Hawks conspired to this third successive defeat for DMPRFC, who find themselves slipping down the league, as other clubs further down stabilise.

Three first half tries saw off the visitors, who quite simply appeared to be going through the motions in a lacklustre 40 minutes.

From the kick off, the ball was knocked forward by DMPRFC and when they were penalised at the resulting scrum, they found the home kicker and fly half Frederick Gabbittas in no mood for sympathy as he slotted the kick giving the hosts their first points in the first minute (3 – 0).

DMPRFC were adjudged offside shortly afterwards, but were let off the hook when the same player saw his effort hit the post and fall wide.

The hosts subjected the visitors to relentless pressure and the DMPRFC defence gave way on 10 minutes, when being drawn first left, then right for Blackheath RFC full back Geoff Griffiths to squeeze over for an unconverted try in the corner (8 – 0).

Blackheath were reduced to 14 players when flanker David Allen prevented quick release of the bal and was consigned to the bench for the customary 10 minutes. However, this did not seem to affect the hosts, who were enjoying large periods of possession and doing most of the attacking.

Playing numbers were evened up as DMPRFC hooker Santiago SOCINO joined the Blackheath player on the bench, when he tackled a player without using his arms.

From an attacking catch and drive, the hosts scored their second try when the ball was whisked out right, only for home scrum half Jack Walsh to straighten the line and score under the posts (13 – 0). The conversion was easy for Gabbittas (15 – 0).

DMPRFC did have their chances, but failed to finish off a couple of opportunities when they presented themselves.

Just before the break for oranges, a penalty was awarded to Blackheath, when DMPRFC failed to release in the tackle. When the resulting penalty was kicked to the corner, the returning flanker David Allen clung on to the back of the catch and drive for the hosts third try (20 – 0).

As both teams returned to the dressing rooms, there was a despondant trudge from the visitors, whereas the hosts had a spring in their step buoyed by a good first half performance.

The second half started poorly for DMPRFC as Blackheath’s fly half Gabbittas struck another penalty (23 – 0) as it appeared that DMPRFC were in for more of the same.

However, various changes were made at this stage, which affected the home side’s momentum and strengthened the visitors resolve not to be whitewashed.

Honours were fairly even in the second half and DMPRFC registered with a well worked try, finding lock Rob CONQUEST powering in from 20-metres (23 – 5). Garry LAW slotted a decent conversion (23 – 7).

There was no further scoring, but as Blackheath tried to register with another try for the bonus point, DMPRFC held firm in defence and could have scored from a couple of opportunities themselves, but it wasn’t to be, as any hope of a fightback never materialised.