HULL RFC 12 v DMPRFC 39

A notable performance from the whole of the pack, paved the way for this victory, as they left their weightier counterparts in their wake.

Notice of intention was given by the visiting forwards from the outset, as a maul was driven deep into home territory a full twenty yards, before ending with a scrum. DMPRFC destroyed their opponents in that first scrum and from a resulting infringement penalty, centre Chris PEACE found space in midfield and scythed his way in from ten yards after only four minutes on the clock (0 – 5).

Gavin PAINTER, deputising for the injured Tom HODGSON slotted the first kick of the day, converting the try (0 – 7) and was to go on to record a very satisfactory day with the boot.

From the initial onslaught, Hull endeavoured to slow the game down to a pace that they were comfortable with and from a catch and drive, were successful, scoring a try from No.8 (5 - 7).

DMPRFC looked to up the tempo from every opportunity and when two kickable penalties were presented, both were shunned in exchange for lineouts, in order to profit from the catch and drive. Hull repelled both and a stalemate period of the game ensued, when DMPRFC connections thought that not taking those penalties would return to haunt the side.
However, no such worries, as a further two tries were scored by the visitors before oranges.

The first, when full back Henry ROBINSON took the ball deep into the Hull defence. Scrum half Max CONNON inched a kick through the smallest of gaps, finding Henry ROBINSON sprinting on to it to record the first of his three tries (5 – 12). Again Gavin PAINTER kicked a good conversion (5– 14) after picking himself up from a knock received in the build up to the try.

Henry ROBINSON was successful again, when on the stroke of oranges, after a quick tap penalty from the home side was stopped by the DMPRFC forwards and turned over. From the resulting possession gain by DMPRFC, quick hands found Henry ROBINSON who comfortably glided over for his brace (5 – 19). Again Gavin PAINTER converted (5 – 21).

So, with the arrival of the interval, the game was firmly in the hands of the visitors and theirs to either kick on or consolidate.

DMPRFC stuck first after oranges, when the home side infringed at ruck time and the trusty boot of Gavin PAINTER edged the visitors further ahead (5 – 24).

Hull were reduced in numbers, when a back row forward was yellow carded for persistent infringement and DMPRFC ‘cranked up the ante’ in an effort to put the game out of sight.

The DMPRFC forwards, began to enjoy the same superiority as they had in the first quarter and took control. A 30-metre driving maul led to success for No.7 Jack ALLCOCK, who emerged last with the ball and although it took a consultation between the referee and his assistant to determine the outcome. The awarding of the try was the correct one and DMPRFC forged ahead. (5 – 29).

Hull gave one last ‘throw of the dice, scoring a converted try via their forwards, touched down by their hard working No.7 (12 – 29).

A raft of replacements were then introduced by both sides, before DMPRFC full back Henry ROBINSON scored his hatrick try as game time counted down, via a tremendous break by Jack ALLCOCK (12 – 34). Gavin PAINTER again on target with the conversion (12 – 36).

With the game in the bag, Gavin PAINTER had time to slot a conversion (12 – 39) and Callum McKENZIE received a yellow card for persistent offside.

However, this mattered not, as DMPRFC took the five points on offer and returned to the North East as the victors.