ALTRINCHAM KERSAL RFC 7 v DMPRFC 38

There appeared to be some different faces in the Altrincham Kersal RFC team that took the field on their own patch, as opposed to the team that visited Yiewsley Drive, earlier on in the season.

So it was no surprise, bearing in mind their league position, when the first half remained pretty tight due to the stiff and more determined opposition, until No. 8 Danny DIXON galloped in from 30 yards after hitting a decent line through the defence and scoring under the posts (0 – 5), giving fly half Tom HODGSON the easiest of conversion opportunities (0 – 7).

With the score at 0 – 7 at the break, the home side would have been pretty satisfied, but after oranges, DMPRFC cranked up the ante and ran in five second half tries, underlying the difference in the teams.

To be fair to Altrincham Kersal, the loss of their influential flanker with an injury did not help their cause and that, coupled with the sin binning of a second row, all added to the inevitable, which duly came and consigned the home side to the bottom of the league as other scores came in at the end of the day.

However, for DMPRFC, the first to score after the break was scrum half Zylon McGAFFIN. The South African backed up a break by returning flanker Will MaCAULAY, who had pounce on a loose ball, again to score under the posts (0 – 12). Tom HODGSON obliged (0 – 14).

Kiwi skipper Junior FAGALILO was next to score after a move a long the line from the visitors broke down, he was on hand to score wide out (0 – 19). This time the conversion was more difficult wide out, however, Tom HODGSON slotted it over (0 – 21), as things looked ominous for the home side, as they lost their flanker and the sin binning came within a short period of time.

Altrincham Kersal did have some periods of possession and they were trying to repel the onslaught, registering on the scoreboard when their full back took a very tight course along the touchline to score (5 – 21), which was improved with the conversion (7 – 21).

At this point, centre Chris PEACE was tactically replaced by Paul SHEPHERD after he took a heavy hit.

Not to be outdone, it was time for try talisman Chris McTURK to latch on to a chip through a flat Altrincham Kersal defence, running and gathering for his customary score (7 - 26).

McTURK himself was withdrawn shortly after, allowing Todd HARRISON to occupy the scrum half berth, with Zylon McFAFFIN reverting to the wing, which is where he popped up to score his second try, after a break by fellow winger Shaun McCARTNEY, he was again on hand to score (7 – 31).

New prop Ben SIMPSON made his entrance at this stage, replacing Dan MILLER and as a result, gave a good account of himself, with some powerful scrummaging from the debutant.

Just prior to the final whistle, the ever improving Shaun McCARTNEY, powered his way to the line wide out, for the final try (7 – 36), which again from a difficult angle was added to by Tom HODGSON (7 – 38).

All in all, a deserved win away from home, which the players and connections can be thoroughly satisfied with at this stage of the season.

(Apologies if the order of scoring or any of the other events are out of sequence, as the infomation was provided to the author, who was not present at the game)