However, the victory was marred by a 68th minute injury to centre Garry LAW, who was stretchered from the field of play and then hospitalised. He was undergoing an operation today (07.02.16.) on an injured right leg, that will probably mean the end of his season.

Everyone at DMPRFC wishes him a speedy recovery.

Similarly, Luca PETILLO left the field early with a thumb injury and all wish him likewise, a speedy recovery.

On a very wet day and in the grip of high winds, the 3G pitch at the University was always going to be playable.

Loughborough were tough opposition for the first quarter, as both defences were well tested and both proved to be difficult to penetrate.

That said, it was DMPRFC who were mostly on the attack.

When the breakthrough came, it was lock Talite VAIOLETI who crashed over for his first try in the 1ST XV for some time. VAIOLETI was a late replacement for lock Rob CONQUEST who had reported ill.

The try came after a catch and drive lineout had been halted by a stern home defence, only for the visitors to continue an assault on the Loughborough line, using the pick and drive tactic, which worked for the benefit of VAIOLETI who was forced over (0 - 5).

Warren SEALS was successful with the conversion (0 - 7) which took DMPRFC into a perhaps deserved lead.

With the wind badly interfering with lineout duties and kicks, the game on occasions was pretty tight, with both sets of forwards battering away in a fast paced encounter, in which 'no quarter was asked or given', which was testimony to the organisation of both sides.

Loughborough struck back with a try under the posts for home scrum half George De Cothi.

DMPRFC were penalised and the ball kicked to the corner by the home side who attempted a catch and drive. When this was thwarted, in similar vein to that of the visitors, but this was held up over the line. From the resulting scrum, DMPRFC were penalised again and quick thinking De Cothi took a quick tap and sprinted ober. (5 - 7). The conversion under the posts was a formality from Thomas James (7 - 7).

Just prior to half time, replacement scrum half Bruno BRAVO took to the field and after a series of pick and drives near to the home line by his forwards, BRAVO sneaked over the whitewash for the score (5 - 12).

At this point, influential flanker Luca PETILLO had to leave the field with a thumb injury.

After oranges, the game again was played at a fast pace, buton 53 minutes, Loughborough were dealt a blow when No. 8 Harry NUTTALL was sin-binned for a technical offence.

With the very next play, DMPRFC scored via No. 8 Ollie HODGSON, from the base of the scrum after a powerful scrum for the visitors (7 - 17), with Warren SEALS converting (7 - 19).

SEALS extended the lead with a 65th minute penalty when the home defence offended in the red zone (7 - 22).

The Garry LAW injury followed shortly afterwards, with 12 minutes remaining.

As he was awaiting treatment, due to the conditions, the players were sent back to the changing rooms.

When play resumed, although both sides endeavoured, no further scores were made.

So mixed emotions with the win, but the knowledge that Garry LAW may be missing for some considerable time, along with Luca PETILLO.