ROSSLYN PARK RFC 29 v DMPRFC 19

Rosslyn Park RFC obtained 5 league points in winning the game and only a last gasp try by Ealing Trailfinders in their first loss away at Coventry RFC prevented them from occupying top spot.

Rosslyn Park RFC are a well organised side, with a good defence, led well by their No.8, supplemented by a good mix of experience, youth and pace.

The loss of experienced front row man Matt THOMPSON for DMPRFC on the eve of the game, was a blow for the visitors, but his replacement Charlie MADDISON performed well despite his lack of game time in that position.

As is being experienced by other clubs in this league, the front row policing, or consistent 'over policing to be more precise, is proving a frustration and the game at Priory Park was no exception.

In the main, the official had a decent game, apparently considering his lack of game time at this level, however, the scrum was somewhat of a debacle, farcical at times and apparently mainly the fault of the visitors.

Sometimes these problems have a habit of been evened out by the officials, however DMPRFC bore the brunt of officialdom in the first half, with an inordinate amount of penalties being awarded against them, seemingly harshly, with the inevitable penalty try in the red zone a consequence.

When the action began, the influential Rosslyn Park RFC skipper fashioned the first try for the home side. The No.8, always a willing ball carrier throughout the game, scored a good try to open Rosslyn Park RFC’s account (5 – 0). The conversion successful from their industrious and inventive fly half (7 – 0).

With the scrums an issue, the lineouts were more straight forward, with the home side led by the familiar sight to the Northern visitors of Richard Boyle, former Tynedale RFC and Northhumberland County (also for Durham County) lock.

It seemed to those watching the game, that, that particular player was clearly knocked out early doors, but the trained medical staff reported a ‘stunned player’ and he continued, until bowing out after oranges, following consistent assistance from the concerned club physios in the interim.

Then came the penalty try after a warning from the official for the DMPRFC pack, whilst undergoing a period of defensive scrums, that appeared to be controlled and going sideways. However, the official deemed otherwise, which seemed to be a constant theme from a visiting supporter’s perspective, with there not much been awarded the other way (12 – 0).

Winger Jamie BARNARD scored the only points of the first half for the visitors, when on the end of a decent flowing move, culminating in his touchdown (14 – 5).

DMPRFC did have several other forays into the home half and in particular, a decent shipping of the ball, eventually finding full back Henry ROBINSON, who tried a chip and chase, but failed in the chip part of the process and the chance went begging.

DMPRFC were competitive throughout the first half, but give Rosslyn Park RFC too much respect, allowing them a lot of time on the ball with which to execute penetrative incursions into the red zone.

The forwards continued to batter each other at the start of the second half, again with the home No.8 making the bullocking runs, spearheading the attack for Rosslyn Park RFC.

Replacements were made by both sides in an attempt to get fresh legs on the field.

The home fly half kicked a penalty when the visitors were deemed to have held on in the tackle,which began the scoring after oranges (17 – 5), followed by a back row bullocking try (22 – 5) which was converted (24 – 5) as Rosslyn Park RFC initially again threatened to run away with it.

However, a fight back always seemed loitering in the background and so it began, when the home forwards were adjudged to have persistently offended at the ruck and maul stage of an attacking lineout (24 – 10), converted by Tom HODGSON (24 – 12).

From the restart, a lack of concentration allowed the home back row to add another try scorer, who found his way straight through a lacklustre defence (29 – 12).

DMPRFC were now pressing forward and two sin-binnings due to desperation from Rosslyn Park RFC followed in quick succession, to add to their woes as they dug in and hung on entered the final minutes of the match.

Visiting scrum half Adam NIXON latched on to the end of some strong pick and drives at close quarters (29 – 17) and as Tom HODGSON (29 – 19) added the extras, the DMPRFC faithful in attendance and their charges on the field sensed more points.

Maybe not to overhaul the Rosslyn Park total, but enough to see a couple of losing bonus points.

Poor tactical decision making at the death robbed the visitors of any points as matters petered out and the North Eastern outfit returned home empty handed.

A fully deserved win for Rosslyn Park RFC who always appeared to have something left in the tank, but they had known they had been in a tough tussle of a game against DMPRFC.

More of the same frustrations for DMPRFC, as due to other results, they slipped back into the bottom three of the league. Eye catching performances against the higher placed teams in the league are one thing, but points are ‘king’ and the need to accumulate more becomes ever pressing as the end of the year approaches.