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COVENTRY RFC  36  v  DMPRFC  16

COVENTRY RFC 36 v DMPRFC 16

Tom Bulmer22 Apr 2017 - 20:00
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Last away league game ends in a 36 - 16 defeat at Butts Park Arena in Coventry RFC (Match report attached)

DMPRFC played a full part in an entertaining and very combative encounter at Coventry RFC's Butts Park Arena, but ultimately were out-gunned by a good home outfit.

Both teams were reduced to 13-men in bizarre 2 second half periods and how each team coped with this deficit proved decisive in the eventual recent.

Dogged by some poor starts to games this season, leading to late fight backs, this game again initially proved no exception, when after only 43 seconds into it, Coventry registered their first try.

The kick-off was not gathered by the visitors, allowing Coventry to retain possession. The ball was recycled left into contact, then right, the ball finding its way to home hooker Scott Tolmie who's touchdown was greeted with appropriate cheers from the 1,770 in attendance (5 - 0), Will Maisey converting (7 - 0).

Tolmie's try was to prove a prelude to his last efforts, as he was to leave the field in the first quarter with a hamstring injury.

With DMPRFC No. 8 Simon UZOKWE, fresh from his exploits with England Students running amok into Coventry defenders, Garry LAW reduced the arrears with 2 well struck penalties, after the home side had infringed at a ruck and strayed offside. (7 - 6)

Collisions between the forwards were full blooded affairs and in the set pieces Coventry had the upper hand, with the lineouts more even contests and maybe Coventry edged the backs competition with fast forays into opposition territory and some good handling.

A midfield penalty given away by DMPRFC led to Coventry's second try, as home scrum half Peter White took a quick tap, make progress through the melee and with the visitors in disarray, it was Heath Stevens who scythed his way through a gaping defence to score, (12 - 6) Maisey converting. (14 - 6)

This was followed up by another try, this time a decent individual effort from Will Maisey, (19 - 6) who converted his own try. (21 - 6)

Other try scoring opportunities for both sides were spurned by a combination of forward passes and some good last gaps defence, as oranges arrived heralding a welcome break for both sets of players.

From the restart, DMPRFC took the game to their hosts, with replacement Callum MACKENZIE zipping through for DMPRFC's first try of the game, (21 - 11), confidently converted by the sure-footed LAW. (21 - 13)

DMPRFC followed this up with another fine strike by LAW after the hosts had again strayed offside (21 - 16)

At this point, the hosts looked rattled and with the visitors throwing everything into attack, against the run of play, a break out of defence by Coventry saw Max Trimble chip through and with the bounce of the ball favouring him rather than the covering Joel GILL, gathered, sprinting to an under the posts score, (26 - 16), with Maisey converting. (28 - 16)

Nevertheless, DMPRFC again attacked the home defences and just when any hint of a comeback had seemingly been snatched away with that last opposition score, Coventry again were under pressure.

First, a high tackle from home No. 8 Freddie Tuilagi heralded a yellow card for him, soon to be followed by James Stokes who was similarly punished for a cynical 'killing' of the ball in the tackle, when DMPRFC arguably could have gone on to score.

So with Coventry reduced in numbers, it seemed that the momentum gained to that point would be rewarded with points.

However, with the home side initially reeling from this, a series of wrong options by DMPRFC in possession and some inspired home defence, in that 10 minute period, no points were added by the time that Coventry were returned to a full complement.

Bizarrely, DMPRFC themselves were reduced in similar numbers, when first Joe CRAGGS and then replacement Talite VAIOLETI were sent to the 'cooler'.

Coventry conversely took full advantage of the reduction in the visitors numbers, leading to a try for Tom Poole (33 - 16) and another penalty for Maisey (36 - 16), giving the home side a deserved victory at the final whistle.

With Blaydon RFC pulling off a fine home win against Rosslyn Park RFC (40 - 24) and relegation avoiding rivals Hull Ionians winning at home against Old Albanians RFC (46 - 33), DMPRFC have found themselves drawn into the equation, as they face Hull Ionians RFC next week at the Arena.

In that scenario, one thing can be guaranteed, is that DMPRFC will be concentrating on winning their last game of the season at the Arena, entertaining their loyal fans on what promises to be a fantastic 'Mowden Family' occasion.

COVENTRY RFC

Hodgson (Stokes 46); Knox, Stevens (Hodgson 80), Wheatcroft, Trimble; Maisey, White (Grasso 46); Litchfield (Byrne h-t, Litchfield 57), Tolmie (Price 13), Boulton (Byrne 80), Jubb, Poole, Dyer (Daynes 49), Povoas, Tuilagi (Dyer 73).

SCORING STATISTICS:

Tries: Tolmie (1), Stevens (17), Maisey (28), Trimble (51), Poole (80).

Conversions: Maisey (2, 18, 29, 52).

Penaties: Maisey (77).

DARLINGTON MOWDEN PARK RFC

Barnard; McCartney, Frankland (Fitzpatrick 30), Auld (Frankland 78), Gill (Bragman 73); Law, Duchesne; Appleby, Wood, Darkintis (Brocklebank 50), Preston-Routledge, Williams (Vaioleta 52), Craggs (Mackenzie h-t), Heaton (Craggs 67), Uzokwe.

SCORING STATISTICS:

Tries: Mackenzie (41)

Conversions: Law (42)

Penalties: Law (8, 13, 45)

Referee: Karl Dickson.

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