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DMPRFC 22  v  OLD ALBANIAN RFC  9

DMPRFC 22 v OLD ALBANIAN RFC 9

Robert Logan8 Oct 2016 - 15:56
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Two tries by MOTM Santi Socino saw DMPRFC return to winning ways and remain unbeaten at home (Match report attached)

Following an early penalty miss by the visitors. DMPRFC raced into an early 12-0 lead following tries by Brandon Staples and a converted Santi Socino try.
A penalty by the visitors made it 12-3 at HT.
Two second half penalties made it 12-9 to Old Albanians.
A Caolan Ryan penalty made it 15-9 before Socino second try which made it 22-9.
MoM Santi Socino was chosen by Resilient Business Solutions.

Match Report:

What a difference a week makes as DMPRFC were certainly in the mood for the challenge of visitors Old Albanian RFC at the Arena,

Whether it was due to the fact that DMPRFC had never beaten OA's in league competition previously or a backlash to the disappointment of the Rosslyn Park trip it mattered not, as the players were certainly up for the game.

In fact they started ;like a house on fire' and in effect decided the game in less than ten minutes.

Not exactly true, as OA's were certainly in the game for long periods, but DMPRFC always just had that 'little bit extra'.

OA's had potency with the tireless attack and defence work of their back row, where ex-Blaydon man Harry Bate was outstanding, together with No. 8 Sam Lunnon and flanker Nicholas Stevens.

With their player coach James Shanahan directing operations from fly half, OA's will be a match for anyone since their return to National League One.

But the day belonged to the home side, maintaining their unbeaten home record, albeit in just 3 games, but home form is vitally important in this league.

As alluded to previously, DMPRFC started very well and after an early first minute opportunity to go ahead via a penalty was missed, with fly half Caolan RYAN just off target, the home side regrouped and took the game to the visitors.

OA's cause was certainly not helped, when their sizable prop Garret Doman-Cann was yellow carded a short while later for not releasing in the tackle, within the red zone, as DMPRFC pushed for the line, after a surging break through the middle of the park by home lock Talite VAIOLETI, who was prominent throughout the game.

Numerical advantage often brings rewards and it wasn't long before DMPRFC scored their first try.

Pressure was exerted by DMPRFC with an attacking scrum and when the ball broke, the impetus took flanker Brandon STAPLES over the whitewash for the try (5 - 0). The conversion was missed by RYAN from a difficult wide out angle,

It wasn't long before DMPRFC registered again, with a sweeping break from inside their own half, good interplay from forwards and backs, with VAIOLETI again involved, offloading to hooker Santiago SOCINO for the score (10 - 0). This time the conversion was successful from RYAN (12 - 0).

So this left OA's somewhat shell-shocked and they were forced to defend for long periods until oranges, which they managed to do.

DMPRFC did try to undeline their superiority, but 2 attacking lineouts were wasted and this is certainly something they will need to improve upon in the coming games.

OA's did put points on the board, when centre Chris May slotted a penalty as DMPRFC were caught offside in defence (12 - 3).

Just before oranges, OA's were on the attack and in the red zone, when SOCINO, like OA's prop Doman-Cann, transgressed and the DMPRFC player was sin-binned.

This exclusion from the game would affect DMPRFC after the interval, when they were ceertainly not the same for a good 20 minutes, during which time lock Joe CRAGGS was also sent to the 'naughty step' for a late tackle, which seemed innocuous.

OA's added a couple more penalties to their tally in the meantime, via full back Ben Palmer (12 - 9), but they were unable to penetrate the home defence for a try.

In the last quarter, DMPRFC sprang back into life and took the game away from the visitors.

A scrum penalty allowed RYAN to add to his points tally, as he made no mistake with the resulting kick (15 - 9)

The final blow came when again DMPRFC attacked at pace with width and purpose, when Ben FRANKLAND made inroads into the visitors territory, before being stopped, only for a change of direction allowed supporting player SOCINO in for a try under the posts (20 - 9). The conversion was a formality for Caolan RYAN (22 - 9).

DMPRFC pressed for the bonus point try, which with the last play of the game nearly materialised, as full back Josh BRAGMAN chipped over the visitors defence, almost allowing FRANKLAND to gather for the score in the corner. However, the ball found touch instead and the official blew for no side.

A solid home win takes DMPRFC back up the league one place into fifth spot, with the long haul to Plymouth Albion RFC in store for the squad next weekend.

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