DMPRFC 42 v ALTRINCHAM KERSAL 10

Regardless of league standings, none of these games in this very competitive league are ‘gimmies’ and so this proved to be, on a day when conditions were condusive to running rugby.

From the outset, DMPRFC took the game the game to the visitors, with Grant CONNON penalty in the third minute (3 – 0), followed by three tries from Todd HARRISON (8 – 0), Graeme SEDDON (13 – 0) and Matty LISTER (18 – 0).

The first from a period of sustained pressure, allowing HARRISON to cut a line through the visiting defence, after good interpassing. The second, when the scorer appeared wide out to finish off a continuance of play. The third, when the winger doggedly retained the ball, again wide out, crossing the whitewash deservedly after good pressure from the home side.

Surprisingly, none of these scores were converted by the ever improving Grant CONNON, but the margin of the miss was creditebly less than the width of a ball and all very decent attempts.

So at oranges, the gap between the sides was as wide as that of their league standings, but the visitors refused to lie down.

After oranges, the game continued in the same vein, with winger Chris McTURK rounding his opposite number with aplomb, this time Grant CONNON being accurate with the afters as the signs were ominous for the visitors (25 – 0)

Grant CONNON himself underlined a creditable performance when he jinked in and out for the score, adding the extras (32 – 0)

As the home side relaxed somewhat, Grant CONNON added to the scoreboard with a penalty as Altrincham Kersal showed signs of desperation, as the game entered the final quarter (35 – 0)

At this point DMPRFC failed to kick on and ‘put them to the sword’, as the visitors tried to respond with a creditable period of determination themselves, scoring two good tries (35 – 10)

However, not to be outdone DMPRRC responded and weighed in with their final reposte of the day, as Matty LISTER grabbed his brace (40 – 10), with Grant CONNON adding the extras, as the home side completed the day in convincing fashion (42 – 10)