DMPRFC grabbed 5 valuable league points in a full-blooded encounter against Rosslyn Park RFC, who with the addition of several ex-Premiership players into their squad, are certainly hoping to be up at the business end of proceedings cone the end of the season.

The last minute Josh HALL try to win the game by a point, didn’t seem likely as DMPRFC fell behind in the first half, with the visitors racking up 19 points without reply.

DMPRFC were somewhat on the back foot in the first quarter of the game, but a couple of mistakes exacerbated their cause, with the London-based side taking full advantage.

After some early ping pong kicks by respective scrum halves, Rosslyn Park made progress to within 5-metres of the home line and when the move fizzled out, the hosts had the put in at the resulting scrummage. However, a handling error at the base of the home scrum saw the ball gathered by the visiting No. 8 Dan Laventure, who had the easiest of dives over the line for the first score. (0 – 5)

Rosslyn Park fly half Greg Lound should have easily added the extras from right under the posts, but had not allowed for DMPRFC’s speedy winger Brandon ASHER-WOOD who charged down the kick and although Lound was perfect with his kicking attempts at goal from then, the loss of that 2-points would prove costly to the visitors at the final whistle.

DMPRFC lost influential centre Ben FRANKLAND to injury at this stage and it was his replacement who unfortunately add insult to the injury, when hurling out a huge pass infield, only for visiting centre Connor Hayhow to intercept and sprint a full 40-metres for his side’s second try, somewhat against the run of play. (0 – 10). This time Lound made no mistake with the conversion. (0 – 12).

At this stage, Rosslyn Park RFC were also hampered by an early injury to scrum half Jack Gash, replaced by Russell Weir.

Within minutes Rosslyn Park winger Ben Marfo was on the end of a flowing move, dotting down in the corner, (0 – 17), with Lound’s conversion giving the visitors a healthy lead after 20 minutes. (0 – 19)

With the decent crowd in attendance somewhat subdued and the DMPRFC players somewhat shell-shocked, the light-bulb moment was desperately needed and came courtesy of an incisive break from centre Garry Law, who found wing Brandan Asher-Wood in support, taking the scoring pass at pace and registering DMPRFC’s first points of the day. (5 – 19), fly half Warren SEALS converting excellently from wide out. (7 – 19)

With the bit between their teeth, DMPRFC roared back again, attacking the visitors line, this time wing Jordy Hop in on the action, with a mazy run and sidestep, beating the visiting flailing defence to score, (12 – 19), SEALS converting (14 – 19) and closing the gap in the process.

The pendulum had turned and Rosslyn Park found themselves under the cosh, in the unfamiliar territory of defending for their lives. However, to no avail, as just before oranges, the home side levelled matters, when home full back Chris Georgiou was on the end of a chip and chase run and offload from Asher- Wood and with Seals missing the conversion, honours were now even. (19 – 19)

Just before the interval, the comeback was almost completed in the first half, when home winger Jordy HOP crossed the line for what was thought to be DMPRFC’s bonus point try, only for the try to be disallowed by the official for crossing in the build up.

The resulting penalty was kicked into touch by the visitors to bring up oranges and both sides jogged off into the changing rooms, Rosslyn Park thinking of what might have been and DMPRFC buoyed by their fight-back and ascendency before the whistle for the interval.

On resumption of play, Mowden Park attacked from the outset and went ahead for the first time in the game when fly half SEALS latched on to a Chris GEORGIOU pass to score and complete the conversion (26 – 19).

Changes were made by both sides and DMPRFC’s replacement prop Jack PAYNE was sin-binned at this stage for pulling down the maul.

Rosslyn Park took advantage of the numbers and responded, with former Mowden Player now Rosslyn Park full back Henry Robinson squeezing into the corner, Lound converting, to draw the side’s level. (26 – 26)

SEALS put the hosts back into the lead with a well struck penalty, after the visitors infringed at the breakdown (29 – 26)

However, this was short-lived, when on 68 minutes, the visitors to fought back and re-took the lead with a good try from lock Adam Frampton (29 – 31) and the conversion from Lound. (29 – 33)

At this stage Rosslyn Park winger Ben Marfo was sin-binned for interference, as DMPRFC pushed for a winner.

It looked like Rosslyn Park had accepted victory, as they sought to run down the clock, with a series of tight exchanges.

However, that was not in the script for the home side and when they were awarded a penalty for obstruction in the last play

Of the game, Jack PAYNE made amends for his earlier transgression, taking a quick tap and bullocking through the defence, setting up a passage of play, that with several well times passes, allowed an overlap, which replacement wing Josh HALL squeezed through for the winning score. (34 – 33)

The conversion, although immaterial was missed by SEALS, but not required, as the game ended, with DMPRFC claiming 5-points and Rosslyn Park RFC a deserved 2-points, on what had been a decent spectacle of rugby, between two quality sides, which was thoroughly appreciated by those in attendance.

Special mention to the DMPRFC front row, who battled with a heavier, more experienced opposition which included ex-England player Paul Doran-Jones, who opposed young Alfie BARRON, with Alfie never budging an inch all day.