Loughborough Students RFC played their part in at times a fast and furious encounter, which produced 2 tries for the home side and 4 for the visitors.

Loughborough started the brighter and with 4 minutes on the clock, DMPRFC were penalised at the breakdown, allowing the home fly half an easy opportunity to kick start the scoreboard (3 – 0).

A period of both teams testing their opponents defence ensued, with both sides making initial errors and turning over the ball.

On 14 minutes, a mistake in the contact area in defence by DMPRFC saw the home side profit, turning the ball over and scoring a good try from their industrious scrum half, which was converted again by their fly half (10 – 0).

It was important for DMPRFC to be next to register and this they did on 22 minutes, with a try from flanker Callum MACKENZIE. DMPRFC were on the offensive, but were ushered out of play, 10 metres from the line. From the resultant Loughborough defensive lineout, the ball was overthrown, finding MACKENZIE who forced his way over (10 – 5). Garry LAW converting (10 – 7).

DMPRFC were keen to run the ball from penalties and Loughborough were determined to prevent this, using different tactics. These tactics appeared to go unpunished by the official, so it was no surprise when tempers flared at one stage when DMPRFC were in an attacking position. From the resulting melee, a player from each side was sin-binned for their part, with lock Rob CONQUEST for the visitors walking to the cooler and a centre from Loughborough Students RFC.

A carbon copy of DMPRFC’s first try followed on 29 minutes and from the identical lineout overthrow from Loughborough, this time prop Darren FEARN crashed over, taking several defenders with him over the line (10 – 12). Again Garry LAW converted from a similar position (10 – 14).

DMPRFC took a deserved lead at this stage, but not to be outdone, Loughborough scored just before oranges, when this time DMPRFC were guilty of a mistake at a defensive lineout. Loughborough gathered and with an overlap of numbers, their left wing scored wide out (15 – 14).

When both teams were returned to full complements, DMPRFC again transgressed, when lock George HEDGLEY was adjudged to have pulled down his opposite number in the air at a lineout and he too was sin-binned.

When the half time whistle blew, the slender lead was deserved by the home side, who seemed to be the more lively behind the scrum.

In a game of fine margins, where to keep chipping away at the scoreboard would herald the advantage, the first score after oranges was important and this accolade was awarded to Loughborough after 5 minutes of the resumption of play, when DMPRFC were penalised for not releasing in the tackle in front of the posts. The penalty from the home fly half was easy (18 – 14).

Replacements were introduced to the game by both sides and the later introduction of DMPRFC’s two replacement front row proved key in the subsequent victory.

Four minutes after edging further in front, Loughborough found themselves trailing, when sustained pressure from the DMPRFC forwards through the pick and drive tactic brought rewards, when replacement prop Ignas DARKINTIS forced his way over (18 – 19). Garry LAW kicked an excellent conversion from wide out (18 – 21).

The play was fast becoming very open and Loughborough always appeared capable of a counter attack reply and were helped when DMPRFC were adjudged offside in front of the posts. Their fly half levelled the scores with a well struck penalty (21 – 21) as the game entered the final quarter.

DMPRFC began to exert a degree of control at this stage, playing the majority of time remaining in their opponents half, with Loughborough struggling to gain possession.

DMPRFC replacement hooker Tom LARDER entered the fray and with his first touch of the ball scored the decisive try.

DMPRFC were on the offensive and in front of the posts 10 metres out, when they were awarded a penalty. With most of the Loughborough side resigning themselves to going further behind with the simple penalty kick, DMPRFC scrum half Sam STUART had other ideas, taking the quick tap and with the home side in disarray, the ball was fed through quick hands to the supporting LARDER who crashed over for the vital score (21 – 26). Again Garry LAW kicked a fine conversion from wide out (21 – 28).

Flanker Callum MACKENZIE was sin-binned late on for a seemingly innocuous high tackle, putting some pressure on the visitors.

There was still time for Loughborough to respond for the draw, however, DMPRFC never really gave the home side any opportunity, retaining possession until the final whistle for the bonus point win.