DMPRFC 48 v MACCLESFIELD RFC 12

In marked contrast to the first fixture between the two sides at Priory Park in the early part of this season, DMPRFC banished that result into the history books, with a convincing win at the Northern Echo Arena.

A 7-try, 5 league point haul more han equalled the previous reversal and exposed the gulf between the sides since that initial game.

Up until oranges, despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession, Mowden made hard work of a dogged Macclesfield side, who tackled well and never gave up.

However, 5 sparkling second half tries broke the hearts of the visitors, with home wing Adam RADWAN managing a hat-trick.

Overnight rain had not troubled the pitch too much and credit to the players who handled a slippery ball very well.

It wasn’t until just after the first quarter that DMPRFC broke the deadlock, with Adam RADWAN scorching passed 2 hapless defenders to score the homes sides opener.(5 - 0)

Home fly half Garry LAW slotted a penalty as the Blues offended at a ruck (8 - 0) and this was closely followed by a typical break from home centre James FITZPATRICK who found the gap after some precise interpassing from the home backs.(13 - 0) Garry LAW converting.(15 - 0)

Macclesfield hit back just before the interval, when a catch and drive effort proved a success, with lock Oliver PARKINSON touching down.(15 - 5)

An all too different DMPRFC took the field in the second half and at time the Mowden of old returned to the back play, with some scintillating open running rugby and superb handling.

It was that man Adam RADWAN who began proceedings, when from a break out of defence, he linked with prop Ralph APPLEBY and fly half LAW, who sent him away to score under the posts. (20 - 5) The conversion was a formality for LAW.(22 - 5)

Before the visitors had time to regather their thoughts, hard running flanker Simon UZOKWE had scored again for the home side (27 - 5), again converted by LAW.(29 - 5)

In the eagerness to get their hands on the ball, Mowden gave away some needless penalties and from one such penalty, Macclesfield followed up a catch and drive lineout with a series of pick and drives from the forwards, with Blues scrum half Nick ALLSOP scampering over for a second try for his side (29 - 10) and retaining his composure for the conversion.(29 - 12)

From that point on it was all DMPRFC for the last quarter of the game, with first Ben FRANKLAND going over, (34 - 12) with LAW again successful.(36 - 12)

Winger RADWAN completed his hat-trick soon after (41 - 12), with replacement lock Josh WILLIAMS scoring his first try for Mowden (46 - 12) and fellow replacement Josh BRAGMAN adding the conversion (48 - 12) for a fine home win over a struggling but game Macclesfield outfit.

DMPRFC

Tries
RADWAN (23, 44, 74)
FITZPATRICK (32)
UZOKWE (47)
FRANKLAND (64)
WILLIAMS (76)
Conversions
LAW (23, 32, 45, 47, 64)
BRAGMAN (77)
Penalties
LAW (28)

Macclesfield RFC

Tries
PARKINSON (40)
ALLSOP (60)
Conversions
ALLSOP (61)

Man of the Match – Simon UZOKWE (DMPRFC)

Attendance – 711

Referee – Mr. Hamish Smales