Mowden Round Off Pre-Season With A Win

On a perfect day for rugby, DMPRFC entertained Scottish Premiership side Watsonians RFC at the Northern Echo Arena, as both club’s played out the last of their pre-season friendlies before the start of their respective league seasons next weekend.

In a pre-season friendly encounter last season, on the outside pitches next to Scotland’s Murrayfield HQ in Edinburgh, the game was well contested, with DMPRFC just pipping their hosts and therefore a tough game was expected on the return fixture.

So it proved to be yesterday, as both sides attempted to hone their skills and squads in anticipation of the start of the 2018/19 league programmes. Plenty of big hits, hard running and expansive enterprise around the paddock by both sides, but no points on the board early doors.

DMPRFC had an early setback when playmaker and fly half Warren SEALS took an knock to the hand and was precautionary replaced, with centre Garry LAW slotting in seamlessly.
Watsonians RFC were similarly hampered when their No. 8 was forced to leave the field after a collision in midfield.

The game took a little while to warm up, with both sides testing out their opposition, with man to man conflict and through lineout, scrum, breakdown, as well as in open play and defence.

The status quo was maintained with an abundance of midfield action, but neither side threatening to make the breakthrough, until an error by the home side on 14 minutes allowed the deadlock to be broken with an accurate penalty from the visiting fly-half, after some obstruction by the home defence. (0 – 3)

The return of Argentinian scrum half and home crowd favourite Bruno BRAVO proved a great fillip for the home side and it was clear for all to see that he has lost none of his speed of pass and tenacity attributes, with some slick handling and aggressive bursts from the breakdown areas.

A visiting lock took exception to home prop Ralph APPLEBY’s tackle as the game entered the second quarter and was yellow carded for a barrage of punches aimed at the DMPRFC player, which caused a little ‘handbags’ incident, quickly suppressed by the official, with normal service resumed.

DMPRFC ‘s points came courtesy of a catch and drive lineout inside the opposition 5-metre line. The drive was initially thwarted by the Watsonian defence, but flanker Joe DUFFY forced his way over for the try (5 – 3), converted by Garry LAW. (7 – 3)

The home side doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time, in similar circumstances to their first try, DMPRFC drove a lineout and after a series of pick and drives, home skipper and lock Talite VAIOLETI crashed over for the score. (12 – 3) Garry LAW converting as the whistle blew at oranges. (14 – 3)

DMPRFC No. 8 Dave FISHER was yellow carded early on resumption of play, adjudged to half collapsed a maul, with the visitors first try scored from the resulting penalty, from a lineout catch and drive effort. (14 – 8)

DMPRFC were reduced to 13 players for a short period at this time, when Garry LAW was sin-binned for interference on the ground and Watsonian's took full advantage of the numerical disadvantage for the home side, again from a catch and drive lineout (14 – 13). The try was converted, edging the visitors ahead. (14 – 15)

Whilst still in some numerical disarray, Watsonian's added a third try, when after some good cover defence by DMPRFC, the ball was inadvertently passed to a visitors attacker, who strolled over for the score, despite a despairing attempt at a tackle from a home defender. (14 – 20)

As DMPRFC settled, they began to exert some pressure on the Watsonian’s line and this brought dividends when DMPRFC fullback Chris GEORGIOU broke through the defensive line at speed, linking with wing Josh HALL for the try. (19 – 20)

DMPRFC were in the ascendancy at this stage and No. 8 Dave FISHER made amends for his earlier sin-binning, scoring the home side’s fourth try, which was converted by LAW. (26 – 20)

Watsonian’s fought a rear guard action though, but were thwarted by some good defence, when they thought they’d won it, but were held up over the line, by 20-year old giant Fijian lock and home replacement Save TUIMATANISAQA, who made an impressive debut, with some typical Islander rampaging bursts and offloads.

So another close encounter between the two sides, with DMPRFC just edging the win.
All at DMPRFC wish Watsonians RFC well in the coming season.

Next week, start of the season and a trip to Bishop Stortford RFC.