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DMPRFC  26  v  HARTPURY COLLEGE RFC  34

DMPRFC 26 v HARTPURY COLLEGE RFC 34

Tom Bulmer25 Mar 2017 - 17:00
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League leaders Hartpury College RFC 'escape' from the Northern Echo Arena with their unbeaten run in tact. (Match report attached)

A top performance from DMPRFC deserved so much better than a single try bonus point, in an entertaining encounter game that saw them match their unbeaten opponents in every facet of the game.

A lot of pre-match predictors based their outcomes for this game on the 74 - 0 drubbing that DMPRFC had endured in the initial fixture between the two clubs, the amazing unbeaten run of the league leaders and the fact that DMPRFC have had a mixed season of results that could not possibly compare to the Hartpury outfit.

Although the result was a win for the visitors, the 'gulf' between the two sides was not evident and in fact, with a 'fair crack' at the game, the hosts could have prevailed.

DMPRFC were not given a' fair crack' at the game, as 3 yellow cards against them were disproportionate to the offences committed by both sides on the field and in addition, DMPRFC had one try disallowed.

An early try by visiting teenage sensation fly half Matt Protheroe, who skipped through a cold home defence to score (0 - 5), was not the start that DMPRFC were looking for, as he followed up by converting his own try (0 - 7) which shocked the enthusiastic home crowd.

DMPRFC fought straight back and after relentless pressure, the visitors defence were outflanked, with home full back Jamie BARNARD rounding the defence in the corner (5 - 7), fly halfGarry LAW converting to level the scores. (7 - 7)

Spurred on by the home supporters, DMPRFC deservedly took the lead, when a Ben FRANKLAND interception on his own 22-metre was ran into Hartpury territory, before being offloaded to speedy winger Adam RADWAN who scorched in under the posts, (12 - 7), Garry LAW’s conversion putting the home side deservedly ahead. (14 - 7)

The first of DMPRFC’s yellow cards, which truly affected the game, came at this stage, when flanker Simon UZOKWE received his marching orders for a fairly innocuous ruck offence.

Two minutes later, with the numbers advantage, Hartpury scored their second try, when top try scorer Jonas Mikalcius found the gap to squeeze over, (14 - 12) scrum half Robert Shaw converting to draw level. (14 - 14)

Hartpury stepped up the pace and scored a good try via flanker Jake Polledri from a catch and drive lineout, (14 - 19), Protheroe converting. (14 - 21)

DMPRFC gradually gained the upper had towards the second quarter of the first half and mounting pressure on the visitors line told, when DMPRFC skipper crashed through a gap to touch down. However, the official deemed that the ball had been lost forward in the grounding and the score was 'chalked off'.

With the score at 14 – 21 at the interval, DMPRFC could count themselves unlucky to behind the league leaders at the break.

DMPRFC started the better in the second half and after 5 minutes of play, a blindside break by UZOKWE tested the visitors defence to the limit. When the ball was shipped into open field, centre FRANKLAND whisked the ball out to Adam RADWAN who needed no invitation, skinning his winger to score. (19 - 21).

The second yellow couldn’t have come at a worse time for DMPRFC, with No. 8 Matt HEATON sent to the side-lines for dropping a maul.

HARTPURY took advantage of the numbers again and within another 2 minutes, again broke the home teams hearts with a score from winger Levi Davis. (19 - 26)

A further yellow card followed with prop Ralph APPLEBY binned, with the customary try resulting from Hartpury via flanker Matthew GILBERT. (19 - 31)

At this stage of the game, DMPRFC could have capitulated, however, fly half Garry LAW made it an interesting finale, skipping through to score a 4th and bonus point try for the home side and converting to put DMPRFC within 7 points. (26 - 31)

A losing bonus point was cruelly snatched from the home side when visiting scrum half Shaw slotted a penalty at the death.

DMPRFC
Scorers
Tries – BERNARD (19), RADWAN (22, 45), LAW (71)
Conversions – LAW (20, 23, 71)
Penalties – None
Drop Goals – None

HARTPURY COLLEGE RFC
Scorers
Tries – PROTHERO (2), MALALCIUS (26), POLLEDRI (34), GILBERT (65)
Conversions – PROTHERO (3), SHAW (27), PROTHEROE (35),
Penalties – SHAW (80)
Drop Goals – NONE

Attendance -
Referee - Ben Blain

Man of the Match - Ben FRANKLAND

RAFFLE WINNERS

1st Prize (2 Tickets to UB40) - Yellow 366-370
2nd Prize (1 Easter Camp Place) - Yellow 401-405

Further reading