DMPRFC 29 v SANDAL RFC 10

DMPRFC again started the game at a fast pace, but it was Sandal to register first, as their winger finished off a period of possession, where the home side were short of numbers wide out (0 – 5).

DMPRFC were disrupted early doors with an injury to prop Ralph APPLEBY, resulting in player/coach Danny BROWN entering the fray for his first outing of the season, as it had been necessary for named replacement Danny DIXON to withdraw prior to the game.

The change seemed to galvanise the home side and the required response took ten minutes to materialise, but after good, concerted effort by the forwards, who were up against a massive front row, scrum half Todd HARRISON found the gap and nipped in for the score (5 – 5). Grant CONNON obliged with the conversion, as DMPRFC took the lead (7 – 5).

A Sandal second row received a yellow card for barging, but Sandal were in no mood to merely allow DMPRFC to take advantage, mounting threats to the home line through their big forwards. During this time DMPRFC should have scored more tries, as there appeared to be opportunities with ‘miss-matches’ on occasions wide out.

Winger Paul SHEPHERD scored the first of his brace of the day after 26 minutes, finding himself as the spare man wide out and squeezing over close to the touchline (12 – 5). As Grant CONNON received some attention from the physio, it was Todd HARRISON who was successful with the difficult conversion (14 – 5).

Full back Max CONNON picked up an injury and was withdrawn, allowing Will GOUGH to slot in, again for his first outing of the season.
At oranges, the game was still in the balance and it was important for the team talk to emphasise that the first score of the second half was going to be important.

Things were pretty tight after oranges, as Sandal tried to reduce the deficit and the home side had to defend stoutly on several occasions.
However, Sandal scored a try through a back row forward, who evaded tacklers on his way to the line (14 – 10), but the kick was agonisingly unsuccessful from the visitors perspective.

Grant CONNON increased the lead for DMPRFC with a well struck penalty, as Sandal strayed offside (17 – 10).

Things were still in the balance, but it was DMPRFC who got the all important next score, as Paul SHEPHERD squeezed over, again in the corner (22 – 10) and with the conversion successful by Grant CONNON (24 – 10), Sandal’s hopes had faded, but they still didn't throw in the towel, which was testament to their overall efforts.

Replacement Andrew TONKIN entered the field with his usual power and it was he who was instrumental in the build up to the final points of the afternoon, as hard working flanker Liam RILEY finished off by cutting a great line through the visiting defenders for his try (29 – 10).

All in all a good performance against a very good Sandal side, who will certainly prove a handful for any of their opponents in the coming weeks.