DMPRFC 34 v ROSSENDALE RFC 12

DMPRFC took another step towards retaining top spot in National League Three (North), as they ran out comfortable winners against a Rossendale RFC side that simply could not live with the pace and intensity of the game. A three try blitz in the first half for the home side, was enough to make the game safe, racking up 22 points without replay before the interval.

Games between the two sides are historically very close and competitive, however this was not the case on this occasion.

The writing was on the wall after twenty six seconds, as DMPRFC kicked off to the visitors, who lost the ball when it was ripped from their possession by flanker Luke WISHNOWSKY. The ball was then secured and whisked out along the line, via a miss one pass from Tom HODGSON to returning winger and top try scorer Chris McTURK, who chipped his opposite number and raced on to gather and touch down before Rossendale had drawn breath (5 – 0).

The bewildered visitors initially tried to re-gather their thoughts and slow down the pace of the next few phases, but this was just not in the mindset of the home side who ran the big Rossendale forwards ragged.

An early blow was encountered by DMPRFC as returning lock Neil YOUNG was forced to retire with a leg injury after only nine minutes, enforcing changes in the home pack. Andrew TONKIN took to the field as hooker, switching with his skipper Junior FAGALILO, who slotted into the second row.

DMPRFC maintained the intensity of the game and pushed for further points as they sought to underline their ascendancy.

Rossendale, when in possession, did try to settle things down and revert to their tight game, but when several catch and drive attempts and close quarter attacks were repelled, their game seemed to stutter.
A break down the middle by home winger Paul Shepherd set up the next DMPRFC try on 28 minutes and after a few phases, scrum half Todd HARRISON scrambled home near the posts(10 – 0). The conversion for Grant CONNON was easy (12 – 0).

Unfortunately, Paul Shepherd was injured in the build up, enforcing another early change, allowing returning wing Sean McCartney to take the field for his first outing of the season.

DMPRFC by this stage had cranked up the pace yet again and it was no surprise when No. 8 James KNOx forced his way over for the home sides third try (17 – 0). Again Grant CONNON converted (19 – 0) and added another penalty on the stroke of oranges, to give DMPRFC a commanding lead at the interval (22 – 0).

This 40 minutes was probably the best league rugby seen at Yiewsley Drive for some time and the attending crowd thoroughly appreciated it on what was a cold day.

After the break, Rossendale enjoyed a brief period of possession, trying to establish a platform from which to score, utilising their forwards. However, this was not having it’s usual effect and the home defence always seemed to have the measure of their opponents in all departments.

Rossendale tactically introduced two forwards in an attempt to salvage some respectability, but at this stage, this did not prove to alter things at all.

DMPRFC No. 8 suffered a knee injury on 56 minutes, again enforcing a home reshuffle as he left the field. Prop Danny DIXON entered the fray, allowing his adaptable front row colleague Ralph APPLEBY to slot in at No. 8.

Home winger Chris McTURK, always dangerous throughout, again got the opportunity of the ball in his hands with space and again chipped and gathered for another try, unfortunately injuring himself in the process.
With DMPRFC having made all their changes, Chris McTURK soldiered on.

Full back Max CONNON got in on the action next, scoring at try which was initiated by a bullocking run from Danny DIXON. This allowed the ball to be whisked out and a clever back hand pass from Chris PEACE allowed Max CONNON to straighten his line and sprint for the touchdown, near to the posts (32 - 0). Brother Grant duly obliged (34 – 0).

Winger Chris McTURK did have to retire, leaving the home side with 14 men for the final 10 minutes.

With the game already won, DMPRFC did relax and drop their concentration level, allowing two late tries by Rossendale, one of which was converted, but this did not take the gloss off what was a thoroughly deserved victory.