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Magnificent Junior Colts win Northern Bowl Final

Magnificent Junior Colts win Northern Bowl Final

Tom Bulmer28 Mar 2017 - 11:00
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Victory over Wirral RFC, as U17's secure Northern Bowl Final

Mothers Day - and another Cup Final.

Wirral RFC hosted the final of the National U17's, Northern Division, Bowl Final. And before any comments about the Rugby, what a Club, what hospitality - what a pleasure to be involved in this wonderful sport we call Rugby.
Our travelling band of supporting parents were greeted with open arms with an additional treat in store. Our Mum's were welcomed into Wirral's members lounge where Prosecco, strawberries, sandwiches & chocolates were served - with a match to follow, what more could be expected on Mothering Sunday.

Glorious sunshine as DMP looked to overcome Wirral, who, with an unbeaten record for the season would provide stiff opposition.

DMP started brightly chasing down the kick, forcing an immediate error and the scrum. Solid from the start the forwards provided quick ball which was moved across the backs - creating a potential 2 man overlap, but........clumsy handling, the knock on letting Wirral off the hook.
Last year on tour Wirral's tactics were to spread the ball across the field, with their centres dominating creative play, backed up by a mobile set of forwards - today was no different.
DMP's handling error was punished with immediate effect, Wirral secured clean ball at the scrum, moved the ball quickly out to the wing, then back towards the forwards - always making ground. 5m out, and with supporting runner, second row Sam Gregory on hand, an easy off-load for the first points of the afternoon. Full back - Will Tyrer stepped up to collect the conversion. Try & Conversion
5 minutes: 7 - 0
With their tails up Wirral looked to press their early advantage, moving the ball swiftly across the pitch - a strong defensive performance was going to be required from the backs - and our defensive line pressed quickly, Matthew Hanmer, with a number of crunching tackles on the Wirral centres leading by example as Wirral looked to skirt around the edges.
DMP stemmed this early onslaught, with the forwards moving through the gears, and beginning to make their mark on the game.
Midway through the half, DMP secured a penalty in the middle of the field, some 40m out. Kick for touch? No, Alasdair Cunningham stepped up and launched a huge kick which soared between the uprights. Penalty
19 mins: 7 - 3
The pendulum then swung in DMP's favour, camped in the home 22 for much of the remainder of the half - great scrums, clean lineout ball, but Wirral were magnificent in defence, forcing errors and turnover when it looked easier to score - if only the ball had been moved wide - playing down narrow channels DMP were contained by the home defenders. Wirral looked to break out, and were it not for some last ditch tackling would have fallen further behind, Cameron Roy at full back stoically the last man. - Would DMP rue missed chances?
The officials blew for half time - a palpable sigh of relief, as everyone paused for breath.

Half Time: Wirral 7 - 3 DMP

Half time substitutions, as DMP's confidence in the squad saw Cameron Roy, Andrew Watson & Josh Armstrong - all of whom had had a great game - making way for Sam Anderson, Harry Powell & Theo Colley.

The tempo & intensity of play was maintained straight from the re-start, both teams pressing hard - would the next score decide the game?
DMP were struggling to create a clean opening - our forwards giving 100% - Ross Harll looking to prize open the home defence, Andy Bain punching holes, Rob Finn delivering another tackling master class, Jake Gardiner imperious in the air, Daniel Hope making impressive carries - OK the forwards were magnificent - but no breakthrough. Will Swinbank came close, only for the ball to be held up as Wirral ploughed bodies into defence.

On 40 minutes - a straight swap on the wing as Jack ROWLANDSON made way for Will Lanagan.

And so it came to pass, Wirral always a threat, turning over ball when they had no right to countered with another sweeping move, moving the ball first left then right, with running support out numbering the defence & slipping past a couple of half hearted tackles. Inside centre Jack Nelson with a Try, Will Tyler again collecting the conversion - 13 minutes into the second half, Wirral extending their lead.
48 mins: 14 - 3

DMP could have been broken - but instead looked for the Try which had eluded them all afternoon. Pressing forward towards the 22m, a loose tackle was punished by a yellow card, it looked like the wrong player was sent from the field of play - but could DMP make the advantage pay?
On 56 minutes, the final substitution - Rob Finn making way for Ollie Heslop.

Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is (Vince Lombardi) - this DMP team has shown resilience when under pressure, and a determination to succeed against the odds, Head Coach, Del Russell called for "one last effort" as fitness levels were once again going to have an impact. Wirral were resolute in defence, and showed no signs of flagging - it would take a moment of inspiration to crack their defence.
Once again ball secured from a clean scrum, Will Swinbank quickly releasing Ali Cunningham who looked to be moving sideways, only for Kieran Hogg to step back inside collecting the ball at pace. With a slinky run and a dummy pass he dropped his shoulder to move back inside and break clear for the line - TRY What should have been an easy conversion was sliced wide.
62 mins: 14 - 8
Wirral were un-phased - securing the restart, and pressing for an immediate reply, but each successive ball carrier was met with wall of blue.
5 minutes to go, I stood on the touchline waiting for the denouement of the match - in the semi-final it was the forwards who provided the inspiration, but today in a game dominated by forward play it was the back's turn to deliver. Both centres Johnstone &, Hogg combined to create an opening which wing, Will Lanagan exploited, breezing past the last defender and making several yards towards the sticks before grounding the ball - TRY

65 mins: 14 - 13

With every DMP supporter & player holding their breath, Alasdair Cunningham stepped up for a tough kick out on the left - suiting his right boot. A clean connection - he turned away immediately knowing the points were secure. Conversion
66 mins: 14 - 15 - DMP were ahead for the first time in the match

Most teams would have been broken, but Wirral came straight back, probing the left and right flanks - several times looking to have pierced the DMP defence. Conceding a penalty 35m out, DMP looked to have fluffed their lines, but our hosts kicked for field position. The lineout saw Wirral secure ball, only for Daniel Hope to be given a yellow card for an infringement - surely Wirral would kick for the posts........no, again field position. (we would later learn that Will Tyler had turned an ankle and was unable to kick).

Referee - Warren Hadlow blew for full time - to a massive cheer from the U17's, coaches and parents alike.

What a match - a game contested in the best spirit of Rugby by two evenly matched sides, neither team deserving to lose.

DMP lifting a trophy for the second successive Mother's Day ! - Congratulations Boys - well deserved.

We would like to extend our thanks to everyone at Wirral RFC for their generous hospitality, and grace in defeat - any Rugby Club looking for a warm welcome should look to add Wirral to any touring opportunity - thanks.

We also wish to extend our thanks to Liverpool & District Referees Association for the services of Warren Hadlow and his touch assistants Martin Calcutt & Andrew Eyre - officiating in an unobtrusive manner, keeping the game flowing at all time - thank-you.

Once again a huge thank - you to Wirral RFC, and we wish you every success in the remainder of this season.

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