DMPRFC 48 v BROMSGROVE 21

A Henry ROBINSON brace was the highlight of the game, with some notable performances from flanker Liam RILEY, No.8 Guy van den DRIES and skipper and centre Cameron MITCHELL.

Winger Tom KILL was the first to register a try, with a powerful run down the left flank, beating his opposite number in the process after only seven minutes of play (0 – 5).

This score was followed from the re-start with the first of full back Henry ROBINSON’S brace, (10 – 0), converted by Gavin PAINTER (12 – 0).

DMPRFC were initially looking to run away with it, but a penalty try for collapsing a maul (12 – 5), saw flanker Liam RILEY sin binned and Bromsgrove RFC back into the game, with the successful conversion (12 – 7).
No. 10 Gavin PAINTER slotted a penalty as the Bromsgrove pack transgressed at the ruck, to inch the home side ahead (15 – 7).

Not to be outdone, Bromsgrove replied with an individual try from their No.9 (15 – 12), which was converted (15 – 14).

However, this was as close as Bromsgrove came to the home side, who always looked dangerous in attack, but until the interval, were not able to impose their usual control on proceedings.

Pearce PHILLIPS was next to score before oranges, as he found himself bullocking through a gap in the visiting defence and with only the full back to beat, the defender thought better of interfering, as the lock forward hurtled in for the score (20 – 14).

A visiting lock was sin-binned just prior to the break and from the resulting penalty, Gavin PAINTER was successful with the kick (23 – 14), allowing DMPRFC to go into oranges more than a score ahead.

Home hooker Ross DONEGHAN was replaced tactically at the break, with replacement hooker Ross WHITE entering the fray for his home debut.

Gavin PAINTER commenced the scoring for DMPRFC after only three minutes of the restart, with another well struck penalty (26 – 14) and DMPRFC replaced lock Pearce PHILLIPS, with the metronomic Rory DUFF entering the fray.

Another Bromsgrove player saw yellow, as DMPRFC attacked and from recycled ball, the visiting player brought down centre Chris PEACE from an offside position. It looked like PEACE would have been clean through except for the interference, however only a penalty ensued.

Further changes were introduced by DMPRFC as first Gavin PAINTER gave way for Sam ERRINGTON and then Chris PEACE was replaced by dynamic winger Shaun McCARTNEY.

If a penalty try escaped DMPRFC in the sin binning incident, there was no questioning the official’s next assessment as Bromsgrove collapsed a scrum on their own line and forfeited the penalty try (31 – 14). Sam ERRINGTON converting (33 – 14).

The home replacements bench was emptied as Ben SIMPSON replaced the hard working Ralph APPLEBY in the front row.

Callum McKENZIE, who found himself in the centre position after the reshuffle, was next to score a deserved try, as he found a gap in the visiting defence and sprinted for the corner (38 – 14).

This was followed by a score from replacement prop who supported a telling break down the touch line from Shaun McCARTNEY. Although he appeared to lose control of the ball in the act of scoring, the official deemed there had been sufficient downward pressure for the prop to record his first try for the club (43 – 14).

DMPRFC were now in full flow and full back Henry ROBINSON glided through for his brace (48 – 14) with ten minutes to go.

Bromsgrove RFC scored a converted consolation try in the last minute (48 – 21), but DMPRFC took all five points on offer, in the first home game of the season at the Northern Echo Arena.