DMPRFC 58 v BURNAGE RFC 5

Early frost on the pitch was quickly melted and at kick off time, although cold, brilliant sunshine was the order of the day.

Burnage RFC had reported some late changes, which did not help their cause, however, it is doubtful whether or not that it would have had any effect on the size of the result.

DMPRFC pressure started immediately and Burnage were on the back foot, as the home side were unlucky not to score, the official adjudging a scoring pass to be forward.

Burnage consistently infringed early doors, in order to get at the home backs and nullify any space from the outset, resulting in early penalty success by Grant CONNON after six minutes (3 - 0).

The first try was scored by prop Ralph APPLEBY after ten minutes of relentless pressure on the visitors. The referee awarded DMPRFC a penalty for another Burnage midfield offside offence and the ball was kicked to touch. The lineout was won and shipped out to the prop, who cut a great running line through the defence for the touchdown from 22 metres out (8 - 0).

Before oranges, other tries followed at regular intervals from then on.

After a clean break by Grant CONNON on 22 minutes, his scrum half colleague Todd HARRISON found the delightful offload and then the line for the score (13 – 0), followed with another 8 minutes later, when the backs created an overlap, allowing centre Cameron MITCHELL to cut inside and show a clean pair of heels to the line (18 – 0). Grant CONNON obliging with the extras (20 – 0).

Burnage were just unable to put together any periods of possession and had to bravely attempt to defend the onslaught, invariably to no avail.
Although their forwards were big and combative, their backs failed to match their home counterparts in every department.

Danny DIXON and Ralph APPLEBY bullocked their way through some decent work, taking on defenders, who they invariably they took with them as they made good ground.

Line outs were controlled by Pierce PHILLIPS, Chris CAMBELL and Andy WILSON, who additionally intercepted much of what Burnage threw in.

Todd HARRISON was the first of three DMPRFC players to score a brace of tries on 38 minutes, when from a defensive scrum five metres out, Burnage were pushed off their own ball and as confusion reigned behind their line, the scrum half was quicker to the ball, touching down (25 – 0). Grant CONNON again converting (27 - 0).

There was still enough time for Cameron MITCHELL to score his brace prior to oranges, as constant pressure told on the visitors and he mesmerically weaved his way through the defence for the score (32 – 0).

At oranges, the game was obviously over and the points secure, however, it was then a case of pride for Burnage and whether or not DMPRFC would turn the screw further.

Initially it appeared as though it was going to be a capitulation, as the hard tackling and hard working Kiwi Luke WISHNOWSKY fashioned a deserving try after only 5 minutes of the re-start (37 – 0), with Grant CONNON successful with the conversion (39 – 0).

Around this time, several personnel changes were introduced by both teams, with Junior FAGALILO being replaced by Chris STRONG, for his first outing of the season. Ben SERU, was also replaced by flying winger and top try scorer Chris McTURK.

Dan MILLER also put in a great shift at the coalface, carrying well and even had the pace to cut down the odd winger who had dared to threaten the touch line in the direction of the home line. In fact on one occasion, he steam-rollered over one of the Burnage front row, leaving him lying in his wake as he set up the next phase.

This was an opportunity for the home crowd to show their appreciation for the Fijian winger, as he left the field for the final time as a DMPRFC player, having been posted away from the area with the Army.

It wasn’t long for hooker Chris STRONG to make his mark, as he scored after only 5 minutes play, finding himself in a back line and cutting a great line himself for the touchdown (44 – 0), with Grant CONNON converting (46 – 0).

Replacement Tom HODGSON was introduced to the game, with Todd HARRISON leaving the field and with DMPRFC reshuffling the back line, Max CONNON slotted in at scrum half.

Ralph APPLEBY completed the DMPRFC brace scorers, after a series of pick and drives, with another touchdown (51 – 0), again with Grant CONNON adding the extras (53 – 0).

It was inevitable that Chris McTURK would get in on the action when he took the field earlier and this was the case, when on 61 minutes, he added to his league total with a trademark score (58 – 0).

It appeared at this stage, as though it was to be more of the same, but an unfortunate collision with his own player on 66 minutes, forced Grant CONNON from the field.

With DMPRFC down to 14 men and again reshuffling, Burnage, to their credit, saw an opportunity to restore some pride, enjoying their only decent period of the game and registering a score by a winger (58 – 5).

Nothing further to trouble the scoreboard, as DMPRFC recorded their highest scoring win of the season, to the delight of their supporters.