On a perfect day for rugby, the Arena welcomed Scottish Premiership side Heriots RFC for DMPRFC's first 'friendly' game prior to the start of the new 2017/18 season.

The game gave DMPRFC supporters the opportunity of getting acquainted with the new additions to the 1ST XV squad, as well as re-establishing their link with the players retained from last year and players who are well established with them from previous seasons.

Heriots RFC had travelled in the knowledge that they were missing some of their 1ST XV squad members for a variety of reasons, however, they will not have expected to have been so comprehensively beaten in all aspects of play, as DMPRFC scored 10 tries to one, in a game that was ended 10 minutes early, as the hosts would undoubtedly have extended that margin.

In the pre-match warm up, Heriots looked slick and purposeful, with some solid citizens and height in the forwards and some pace outside. However, as the game began, DMPRFC dominated the exchanges and starved the visitors of any meaningful possession, limiting their opportunities with some hard hitting defence.

DMPRFC started with pace and power and were soon on the scoreboard, with new addition Grant CONNON, returning to the club after more than a season's absence through injury, poignantly scoring the first points of the day. DMPRFC had been fashioning an attacking lineout deep into the visitors territory. When possession was lost, Heriots cleared their lines only to find home wing Chris McTURK, another returnee to the club and his quick thinking enabled him to deliver a long pass to CONNON, who basically ran through the middle of the visitors to score near the posts (5 - 0). Fly half Warren SEALS, returning to the club after a season with Leeds Carnegie RFC, added the extras (7 - 0).

This was closely followed with a try for the versatile Callum MACKENZIE, playing on the wing, who received the ball after some good handling across the backline, leaving MACKENZIE to utilise his pace and barge through to the line, (12 - 0) SEALS adding the conversion (14 - 0).

Some early collision injuries and re-shuffles did not help the visitors cause, however they simply couldn't handle the intensity of the home side, who were firing from the off.
Industry from MACKENZIE and Canadian International flanker Matt HEATON put in new scrum half Matt DUDMAN, who had some finishing to do when receiving the ball, accelerating to the line for the home sides third try (19 - 0), SEALS again successful (21 - 0).

A trademark 'chip and chase' from McTURK added another, (26 - 0) with the conversion just wide of the mark from SEALS from the touchline.

At this point, DMPRFC made changes, replacing hooker WOOD, CONNON and DUDMAN, introducing prop Darren FEARN, New Zealand scrum half Maia GIBBS and new recruit from Otley RFC, utility back Jack BLAKENEY-EDWARDS.

It wasn't too long before FEARN was making his presence felt in the scrum, but conversely it was his ability to read the play that was highlighted when appearing in the home backline to intercept Heriots attempt to run out of defence, with the intended recipient not wanting to contest a challenge with the 'big unit' allowing the simplest of touchdowns, a having received the a full yard from the line (31 - 0), SEALS converting (33 - 0).

The only blot on the home sides first half performance, came just prior to 'oranges', when conceding a penalty, they lost concentration, allowing a quick thinking Heriots player to take a 'quick tap' and in the ensuing disarray, ROBERTSON touched down (33 - 5), with Stuart EDWARDS kicking the conversion from under the posts (33 - 7).

The score heralded oranges and an opportunity for Heriots to stem the tide, take stock and receive instructions.

The break seemed to have galvanised the visitors, who emerged from the tunnel, starting the second half with more purpose. However, when faced with some excellent defence, with the likes of David FISHER recording some 'big hits, Heriots were soon. Additionally, when in possession, Heriots either lost possession or committed too many handling errors and with the home side not suffering those frailties, it was soon back to business for DMPRFC, recording another five tries before the game was ended prematurely.

The handling between backs and forwards and the willing support from all players was notable evident in the majority of the tries scored after the interval.

SEALS scored the first points of the second half for DMPRFC, when ghosting in for a try (38 - 7), composing himself to add the extras (40 - 7).

Young lock Callum BURKE was given his debut and on hand to give stalwart forward Talite VAIOLETI a scoring pass to start the scoring. (45 - 7), SEALS converting well (47 - 7).

Slick hands were responsible for the seventh try, finished off by prop Ralph APPLEBY (52 - 7), BLAKENEY-EDWARDS converting (54 - 7).

DUDMAN returned to the fray and claimed his brace, (59 - 7), BLAKENEY-EDWARDS converting (61 - 7), before McTURK also evaded the opposition defence to claim his brace as well (66 - 7), again BLAKENEY-EDWARDS converting (68 - 7).

Next week, away at another Scottish Premiership side Watsonians RFC.