DMPRFC 16 v BILLINGHAM RFC 12

This game had all the hallmarks of being a potential ‘banana skin’ for DMPRFC and two seasons ago and possibly last season, this is a game we probably would have lost.
However, the team and everyone connected with it have moved on since then and now it has the strength of character to pull through these types of games and therefore were able to record the important victory over our near neighbours.

Billingham RFC played very well at times and in this game probably had the better of the backline interaction. But the home forwards paved the way for the win in what were very combative collisions, with decent contributions from the big ball carriers, with Ralph APPLEBY and Tom WILKINSON most prevalent.

In the initial stages, it looked as if DMPRFC were going to run away with it, as they dominated possession from the start. However, they just let themselves down whilst in the red zone and squandered opportunities. Billingham’s defence was resolute at this time and able to repel the onslaught.

Gavin PAINTER struck the first blow, with a well struck penalty after two minutes. This was after a catalogue of offside infringements by the visitors, which would cost them later as this continued until on a visiting prop was yellow carded.

Somewhat against the run of play, a poor up and under kick out of defence in the home 22 eventually found the visiting scrum half who danced in unopposed for the try.

Gavin PAINTER took back the lead with another penalty and thereafter followed a period of defence and attack from both sides without bothering the scoreboard.

DMPRFC’S Robin EATOUGH broke the deadlock with a powerful run to the line, just managing to drag the defenders over the line with him. Gavin PAINTER converted, which left the score at 13 – 5 at oranges.

Gavin PAINTER was again successful with a penalty for the first points after oranges and once again both sides tries to penetrate each others defences from set pieces and elongated phases of play.

Player coach Peter TAYLOR drew on his vast experience in the game to contribute massively in what was his best game since joining the club.

As the game entered the final quarter, it was Billingham who broke out of defence and visiting No.8 galloped from the half way line to score under the posts, making the conversion an easy task for the kicker.

At this time Billingham appeared to be the more likely to kick on and win the game, however DMPRFC saw out the game with the experience at this level coming to the fore, when containing the Billingham endeavours in the visiting 22 and closing out the game.

Billingham will be disappointed with only leaving Yiewsley Drive with only a losing bonus point, however we wish them well in this campaign and on the basis of this performance, it should not be long before they are winning games and moving out of the wrong end of the table.