BURNAGE RFC 16 v DMPRFC 34

Like most rugby fans, DMPRFC had gathered early in the clubhouse, eagerly anticipating an England victory in the RFU World Cup quarter final against France.

What followed in that respect was hugely disappointing and as the 1ST XV players stepped upon the coach, the mood was slightly down beat. It didn’t help either, as what started off as a bright, dry morning in Darlington, turned into fog and rain all the way to Burnage RFC.

So the 3G pitch came as somewhat of a pleasant surprise, as conditions would have dictated the opposite, had an orthodox pitch been the order of the day.

So no complaints in that respect, however the narrowness of the pitch is no advert for expansive, open rugby and probably first time visitors to Burnage RFC need to heed that observation.

In a tight first half, both teams tested each others defences, but it took time for the visitors to master the width of the pitch and settle down.

DMPRFC opened the scoring with well struck Grant CONNON penalty on ten minutes, as the home side struggled to contain a lively opening from their opponents (0 – 3)

There then followed a fairly even period of exchanges from both sides, with Burnage RFC trying to play a very tight up the middle type of game, interspersed with occasion strong runs from their two stocky centres.

After thirty minutes, Grant CONNON added to his total with another penalty (0 – 6), just prior to a retort from Burnage, similarly from a penalty opportunity (3 – 6)

So at oranges, honours were relatively even, but there had been hints of what was to follow, as the pace of DMPRFC began to show in slight frailties from the home side.

However, after the interval, things started badly, as from a high ball, the DMPRFC defence failed to gather and the ball dropped invitingly for a home second row to take possession and gallop over, allowing Burnage to take the lead (8 – 6)

DMPRFC took the reins and after a series of forward forays, second row Neil YOUNG, not to be outdone by his opposite number, returning the favour with a dive over from a ruck close to the home line (8 – 11). The central position was no problem for Grant CONNON, who converted easily (8 – 13)

Burnage tried to get back into the game, but this was short lived as lively winger James McTURK cleanly rounded his opposite number to score wide out (8 – 18) and with ‘wideout’ literally meaning not too far, Grant CONNON obliged with the afters (8 – 20)

Burnage were still in the game and applied pressure of their own, being rewarded with a penalty on fifty five minutes (11 – 20).

This was followed up by a try for the other home lock, after pressure was applied via a series of rolling mauls close to the visitors line which was successful (16 – 20)

This only served to galvanise DMPRFC as they ‘cranked’ up the game scoring two converted tries in quick succession.

The first from Chris McTURK for his brace and this was followed by another for No.8 James KNOX from close range. Both were added to by Grant CONNON (16 – 34)

All three DMPRFC replacements saw action, with prop Danny DIXON replacing Ralph APPLEBY, Andy TONKIN for Chris CAMPBELL in a reshuffle of the pack and Alan JONES for Matty LISTER in the closing minutes.

Burnage tried to close the gap continually, but good defence saw out their attempts and the home journey, even in the constant rain that had plagued the day, seemed matterless, as another five points were put on the board, as DMPRFC hang on to the shirt tails of league leaders Chester RFC.