DMPRFC 8 v MIDDLESBROUGH RFC 8

Nothing much else to say really, on a day when both teams had plenty of chances to score points, but both failed to capitalise through mistakes and the respective kickers spurned opportunities to win the game.

The home side had the early advantage at the set pieces, but managed to butcher possession against a Middlesbrough side who literally fought their way through the first half, gaining the advantage at oranges via a try by their lively winger, which on the balance of play at that time was deserved.

Most of the first half was spent in Mowden territory, as the home side failed to clear their line satisfactorily on many occasions and Middlesbrough battered away through their combative forwards.

Some, especially Middlesbrough connections, sensed victory at oranges, when at 0 – 5 ahead, the visitors may be thought they had done enough.

The next score after oranges was thought to be crucial and when the Middlesbrough full back slotted his only penalty of the game, it looked as if the visitors were going to take the game.

However, a succession of team changes over a short period of time appeared to galvanise the Mowden team, culminating in a decent try for Marty LITHGO who ran around the outside of the covering defence to touch down and narrow the gap to three points.

Several kicking opportunities were missed from then on for both sides, until Gavin PAINTER levelled the scores with his only success of the day to set up a tense finale in the last quarter.

During this period, both teams had chances to win the game with kicks, but neither kicker was up to the task on the day, which was summed up when the very last kick of the game, which fell to the visitors, sailed wide.

Perhaps Mowden were lucky to escape with a draw. Perhaps Middlesbrough were unlucky not to come away with a win, who can say, but a local derby it was and it was always going to be a very tight affair.

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/rugby/8921118.Boro_miss_chance_to_win_dour_derby/