On a day when DMPRFC, newcomers to National League 1 showed that they can compete with the physicality of Level 3, they will kick themselves with the outcome of the game, as they conspired to lose the game, rather than the opposition win it.
At 23 – 10 and with 10 minutes remaining, DMPRFC may have had thoughts of their first win on the opening day of the season for several seasons had come to fruition.

However, a lack of calm and a little inexperience conspired to allow Blaydon RFC back into the game and to be fair to the visitor’s, they battled hard to the end and took the honours with the last kick of the game, as the final whistled arrived.

In an eagerly anticipated collision of two North East teams, anxious to underline their credentials, the game was fairly even for the first quarter of the game, with two big packs of forwards flexing their combined muscles to cancel each other out and there were early signs that things could boil over.

A well struck penalty from the visiting scrum half opened the scoring (0 – 3), when DMPRFC were adjudged to have not rolled away in the tackle. This was cancelled out by DMPRFC fly half Garry LAW, as the visitors were found guilty of the same offence (3-3).

As oranges approached, Blaydon scored the first try of the afternoon, when the visiting outside centre had a clean run in on the overlap, as the DMPRFC defence had been sucked into contact from a good forward drive on the opposite wing (3 – 8). The conversion was good (3 – 10).

On the stroke of oranges, Blaydon RFC were penalised by the official for side entry at a ruck and the assured boot of Garry LAW lessened the gap (6 – 10) as the teams returned to their respective changing rooms for the break.

Shortly after the break, both sides introduced replacements from the bench.

As play continued, the inevitable flare up between the two packs erupted, as the Blaydon RFC prop and player/coach took exception to DMPRFC lock Rob CONQUEST barging legitimately through the middle of an attacking ruck and began windmilling. He continued after the referee’s whistle which earned him a straight red card, whilst the DMPRFC player received 10 minutes in ‘the cooler’.

Straight from the resulting penalty, a Blaydon RFC lock mistimed a tackle and he too received an enforced ten minute break and with the visitors down to 13 men, DMPRFC upped the ante and pressurised the home defence with a series of scrums, as Blaydon RFC were forced to make other changes to their front row.

During one of these scrums, home No. 8 Ollie HODGSON scored a bullocking try down the blindside of the set piece (11 – 10). Garry LAW was again successful with the boot, landing the conversion (13 – 10).

Garry LAW added further points by way of a penalty (16 – 10), when Blaydon RFC failed to release in the tackle.

With the pressure mounting, the visitor’s fluffed matters in defence and DMPRFC were awarded another 5-mtere scrum, where No.8 Ollie HODGSON added his second carbon copy try (21 – 10). LAW converting (23 – 10).

More changes were introduced by both sides and just when it appeared that the extra man was making the difference, it was the home side who were reduced to 14 players, when full back Henry ROBINSON impeded quick ball in the red zone and was yellow carded for his trouble.

Blaydon RFC appeared rejuvenated and scored from a catch and drive lineout, from their returning lock, which was converted (23 – 17).

As the clock ticked down, DMPRFC were in possession and just when cool heads and continued possession were required, they coughed up a penalty against them, allowing a kick to the corner, for a last gasp catch and drive effort from the visitors.

The writing was on the wall at this stage, when although the initial surge was thwarted, the same lock manfully barged his way over and the resulting conversion was easy for the win (23 – 24).