DMP Round Off Unbeaten Pre-Season

In the second pre-season friendly, DMPRFC took on Scottish Premiership opposition, finding Watsonians RFC a sterner test than that of Heriots RFC last weekend.

With Watsonians RFC currently playing their 1ST XV games on the immaculate 'back pitches' of Murrayfield, home ground of the Scottish RFU, DMPRFC arrived in plenty of time for a decent warm up, with the addition of an awesome backdrop on the horizon.

Watsonians RFC certainly looked the part pre-match, with some solid citizens up front and size and apparent pace in their backline and coaches focussed on their charges.

It was DMPRFC who started the better from the whistle, with a lot of early possession and plenty of attacking play, all centred in home territory. For their part, Watsonians initially struggled to gain any useful possession and were forced to defend.

It was incessant pressure on the home defence that brought the first rewards after 8 minutes, for a hungry away team anxious to start where they had left off the week previously, when wing Callum MACKENZIE forced his way in at the corner after some good handling across the back line (0 - 5). This was followed by an excellent touchline conversion from fly half Warren SEALS (0 - 7).

Watsonians seemed somewhat jaded in reply, but all credit to the visitors who were 'on their game' from the outset.

Just after the first quarter had elapsed, pressure on a home lineout as players tried to 'pick and drive' for yardage well within their own 22-metre line and when the home fly half tried a clearing kick, quick thinking flanker Matt HEATON charge down the effort to re-gather and score near the posts (0 - 12). Again SEALS converted (0 - 14).

Watsonians fought back and gaining possession, concentrated on attack, only to be thwarted by some hard-hitting defence from DMPRFC and although the pressure was severe at times, it never looked as if the line would be broken at this stage.

Full back Grant CONNON 'boomed' a kick out of defence and after the ensuing home lineout, the visitors re-gained possession after some good work at the ruck, enabling Garry LAW, in his first real test since returning from injury, to score wideout (0 - 19). Again, a perfect conversion from the touchline followed from SEALS (0 - 21).

As oranges loomed, replacements were introduced, mainly by the visitors, which understandably interrupted the proceedings and all too soon it was half time.

DMPRFC slightly lost impetus after the break, as other replacements were introduced in an effort to 'run the rule' over the available squad who were able to make the trip.

With less replacements utilised, as the game entered the third quarter, Watsonians found their way back into the game and from a 'catch and drive' lineout, forced the ball over the line for a well worked try (5 - 21), well converted (7 - 21).

Despite some stoic efforts from both sides, that effort was the last to be recorded on the scoreboard and the final whistle halted a thoroughly decent test for both sides.

Next week, the season begins with a home game at the Arena against Loughborough Students RFC.

Photo Credit - Graham Gaw