WEST PARK (ST HELENS) 18 v DMPRFC 36

With West Park (St Helens) enjoying an end of season purple patch, despite having already been relegated, this contest was never going to be an easy affair, as they would be striving to give a certain amount of respectability to their season.

Things began very positively for DMPRFC when, from the first whistle, we tore into our opponents, stringing together some decent passages of play and not allowing West Park any ball at all for the first ten minutes.

However, we were not able to put the final touches together and found ourselves behind from a penalty kick, which was certainly against the run of play.

An Andy BELL try was the response, added to by a Ritchie YOUNG conversion, but at oranges, a score line of 3 – 10 in our favour was a little disappointing given the amount of possession and dominance.

After oranges, four more tries were added to our tally, by prop Dan MILLER, a brace for centre Dean KELBRICK on his last game for the club and another by full back for the day, Robin EATOUGH. Ritchie YOUNG added the extras on all but one, but this was enough to put distance between the teams.

For their part, West Park score three tries, two late on, but it was never going to be enough and we wish them well in their endeavours next season and look forward to seeing them back in the National Leagues as soon as they can.

Overall, a decent performance, which all those who were present know should have been more convincing.