PENRITH RFC 24 v DMPRFC 28
DMPRFC arrived for this away game, in the knowledge that Penrith RFC had, had the better of the results in recent times and the visitors knew that their hosts would be looking to upset the form book, buoyed by last weeks win.
It started well for the home side with a sweetly struck opening penalty, after DMPRFC had held on in the tackle (3 – 0).
DMPRFC then upped the tempo and from a set piece, Grant CONNON sold the dummy and squeezed through a gap in the home defence, to score near the posts (3 – 5), converting his own try (3 – 7).
Winger Chris McTURK, filling in at the centre birth for the unavailable Chris PEACE, showed his versatility when he scored in the corner after some good work in the three quarters (3 – 12), with Grant CONNON adding the extras from a difficult spot (3 – 14).
Penrith hit back, when scoring immediately from a penalty when visiting lock Andy WILSON was adjudged by the official as late with a tackle. The penalty was kicked to touch and a catch and drive resulted in the ball being spun out and a try scored under the posts (8 – 14). The conversion was easy (10 – 14).
Once bolstered back to the correct numbers, DMPRFC again upped the pace and after good work initially by the backs, it was the forwards who showed good hands between skipper Junior FAGALILO, who flung out the ball from the back of his hand, which was caught by debutant lock Tom SCHOFIELD, who did likewise, which was caught obligingly by Graeme SEDDON who raced under the posts (10 – 19). Grant CONNON again made no mistake with the conversion (10 – 21)
At oranges, Penrith could have no arguments about the score line and it appeared after the interval, as there was to be more of the same, as again the forwards, with the help of Matty LISTER, set up the returning full back Paul SHEPERD for a well deserved score (10 – 26) Grant CONNON obliging with the afters (10 – 28)
At this point, it seemed as if DMPRFC thought that this was enough to win the game and switched off in the last ten minutes.
Penrith, to their credit had other ideas at this point and discovered a purple patch of their own, scoring two converted tries, to leave a close finish (24 – 28), but the game was closed out by DMPRFC, who on the balance of the game, deserved the victory, adding five more league points to the league total.
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