DMPRFC did their National League One credentials the world of good in this close contest with unbeaten Richmond RFC at the Athletic Ground, eventually just losing out 30 – 27, but gaining 2 bonus points, in a fine display.

The long journey was broken up by an overnight stay in Slough, allowing the players plenty of opportunity to prepare for the short trip on game day.

With Richmond RFC having already enjoyed wins over Macclesfield RFC, Esher RFC and Hartpury College RFC in September, DMPRFC were underdogs as they lined up for the game, but by the end of proceedings, the home side certainly knew they had been in a game and in the end were hanging on for grim death.

DMPRFC were given an early opportunity to score a try, when flanker George HEDGLEY broke in the midfield. Support arrived and as the ball was shipped out when he was halted, a simple passing along the back line would have sufficed, with a clear overlap. However, the ball was knocked forward and the chance went begging.

Richmond RFC were the first on the board, when after four minutes of further play, the visitors were adjudged to have pulled down the maul, just inside in their own 22 and the Richmond full back registered with a penalty (3 – 0).

DMPRFC bounced back with a try, when after determined phases of attack, wing Callum MACKENZIE, squeezed into the corner for the first of his two tries (3 – 5).

Richmond RFC responded just before the first quarter of the game had elapsed, when after a series of pick and drives within the visiting 5-metre line, a home forward burrowed over (8 – 5).

DMPRFC were penalised again for not allowing a quick tap penalty and the resulting penalty was successful (11 – 5).

A deft chip over the rushing defence by fly half Garry LAW, saw Callum MACKENZIE score his brace, when he sprinted onto the precise kick, beating the last defender and again scoring in the corner (11 – 10).

DMPRFC took the lead after 30 minutes of play, again emanating initially from the boot of Garry LAW, who kicked long out of defence. When the covering home back row man was penalised for holding on when caught trying to break out of defence, a kick to the corner, saw the pressure applied from couple of catch and drive efforts before No. 8 Ollie HODGSON dotted down (11 – 15), Garry LAW converting (11 – 17).

DMPRFC brought on hooker Jack WALKER, but his introduction was short lived as the official yellow carded him just prior to the interval for pulling down a maul.

The impetus immediately swung to Richmond RFC at this point and the home side took the lead into oranges, scoring a converted try before the half time whistle (18 – 17).

With matters poised on a knife edge, it was important from the restart that DMPRFC saw out the initial few minutes with on 14 men emerging from the tunnel and this they did.

Once back to a full complement, DMPRFC raised the level of intensity and when the home side transgressed, Garry LAW kicked to the corner and from the catch and drive by the forwards, Jack ALLCOCK forced the ball over for the try (18 – 22). Garry LAW converted (18 – 24).

With the home side creaking in the scrum, they stood up when being pushed backwards and Garry LAW made no mistake with the penalty (18 – 27).

At this stage, it looked ominous for the home side as DMPRFC were in the ascendancy, dominant in the scrums, however a catalogue of incidents blighted progress.

Firstly, as DMPRFC were on the attack in midfield, with a 3 on 2 situation, a seemingly straight forward pass for a score was deemed forward by the referees assistant, which bemused most, however, this seemed to be the catalyst for further bad luck for the visitors.

Shortly after, Richmond seized their opportunity and a penalty was kicked out within 5 metres of the visitor's line, a catch and drive effort was successful for the home pack, which was converted (25 – 27).

Stung by this change around of fortune, DMPRFC further conceded, when a mistake in midfield allowed another Richmond score (30 – 27), which was well taken by their full back.

To compound matters, just prior to commencement of the final ten minutes of play, a Richmond RFC attack, saw DMPRFC full back Henry ROBINSON sin-binned quite rightly for a deliberate knock on within the visitor’s 5 metre line, but wing Chris McTURK was red carded in the same incident, for alleged stamping, the offence pointed out to the referee, by his female assistant.

So from looking as if they would push on and register a deserved win, DMPRFC were behind and down to 13 players.

A monumental effort saw DMPRFC push through that period unscathed and when restored to 14 men and entering the final minutes of the game, the visitors tried for the win, spurning kickable penalties for the draw.

Several catch and drive efforts were thwarted by a brave Richmond RFC rear guard action after the home side themselves were reduced in numbers, when a forward was adjudged to have pulled down a maul.

As the clock ticked down, DMPRFC just couldn’t find the winner and Richmond held out.

There is no doubting that Richmond played well, but DMPRFC can count themselves unlucky to have returned to the North East with only 2 bonus points.