DMP Kick Season Off With Win

On the first fixture of the 2018/19 National League One programme, DMPRFC exited the Silver Leys HQ of Bishop Stortford RFC with a try bonus point victory, in what had been a fairly even but very competitive game.

So even and competitive was the first forty minutes, that the scoreboard showed all square at oranges, neither side registering any points. However that wasn’t for the want of trying or lack of effort on the part of the players, who did their level best to alter that unusual scenario.

Despite the lack of scoreboard activity, perhaps it was the visitors who had the better of proceedings during the half, as they restricted the home side to only one incursion into their territory. On the other hand, DMPRFC had a couple of opportunities from 5-metre catch and drive lineouts to break the deadlock, but didn’t manage to take advantage of either.

Five minutes before the interval, DMPRFC flanker Joe DUFFY was correctly sent to the ‘cooler’ by Cornish referee Veryan Boscawen after an illegal tackle on the home scrum half, more akin to a World Wrestling Federation body slam.

So when the teams emerged for the second half, DMPRFC were still hampered being a man down as the match resumed.

This disadvantage didn’t seem to phase the visitors, as they took the game to the hosts and after a series of pick and drives, prop Ralph APPLEBY broke the deadlock, scoring from close range (0 – 5), the score converted by fly half Warren SEALS. (0 – 7)

A loss of concentration at the restart by DMPRFC allowed the home side to respond immediately, when from the resultant penalty awarded, home fly half George CULLEN slotted the first points of the game for Bishop Stortford RFC. (3 – 7)

The home side fared better with their control at the restart, allowing a terrific length of the field break out of defence, taking the visitors by surprise and just as they were restored to a full complement of players with the return of DUFFY, another DMPRFC player was sin-binned. This time it was full back Christian GEORGIOU, whose high tackle offence was adjudged by the official to have been committed as the last line of defence and had prevented the Bishop Stortford player from scoring a certain try, resulting in a penalty try under the posts. (10 – 7) (The conversion automatically awarded without being kicked)

Home fly half increased Bishop Stortford’s lead with a penalty (13 – 7), before his opposite number Warren SEALS replied with a try and conversion of his own, after some precise inter-passing from the visitors created his opportunity to pierce the home team defensive line. (13 – 14)

The lead changed hands again, when DMPRFC were penalised within the kicking radar range of George Cullen who edged his team in front with a sweetly struck penalty kick. (16 – 14)

So as the game entered the final quarter, the game intensity escalated, as both sides sought to create chances to win the game.

Stalwart DMPRFC winger Chris McTURK heralded his return to the side with the third try for DMPRFC, regaining the lead for his side with a trademark speedy effort. (16 – 19)

Bishop Stortford were on top at this stage and it was somewhat against the run of play, when DMPRFC manufactured a break out of defence, with some further fluid inter-passing, culminating in full back Christian GEORGIOU scoring their fourth and bonus point try, with only ten minutes remaining as SEALS converted. (16 – 26)

Bishop Stortford regained their momentum and with only three minutes remaining, winger Robert Duff added a try (21 – 26) and with the conversion quickly added by Cullen (23 – 26), the game ticked down to time added on, as Bishop Stortford still sought to overhaul the visitors.

The restart was badly mismanaged by DMPRFC and brought an infringement, the official penalising them with an eminently kickable penalty.

However, instead of kicking themselves into a certain draw, they sought to kick to the corner and go for the win from a catch and drive lineout. When this was thwarted by a combination of good defence from DMPRFC and a lack of patience on their part, the home side were ultimately left kicking themselves for missing out on both, when the chance to score was snuffed out, with DMPRFC holding out for the narrow victory and the 5-league points. (23 – 26), with Bishop Stortford having to settle for a losing bonus point.

Next Week – Home to Rotherham Titans RFC.