DMPRFC 36 v STOCKPORT RFC 17

In an entertaining game, honours were relatively even at oranges, but DMPRFC cranked up the pace and ran out deserved winners.

The first try for the home side came from an attacking scrum, the ball whipped across the backline and into contact by Ritchie YOUNG. Again the ball was recycled and out to winger Chris McTURK who dived in, in the corner (5 – 0). Although the conversion was wide out and the angle difficult, Tom HODGSON slotted it home (7 – 0).

A mistake in the home defence allowed Stockport back into the game, as they made progress with several pick and drives from the forwards. The ball was spun out and over the line for the score (7 – 5). The successful conversion tied matters after the first quarter of the game.

Stockport were reduced in numbers, when their hooker was adjudged by the official to have persistently offended at the contact area and the impact was almost immediate, as DMPRFC applied pressure to the visiting defence. Debutant winger Lewis JOHNSON made the initial break on the left wing. The ball was recycled back along the line, finding Cameron MITCHELL who was stopped just5 short of the line by a fine tackle. Again the ball was recycled, finding Grant CONNON, who darted over on the right wing for the score (12 – 7).

At the break, things were pretty even, with Stockport seemingly able to respond to the home team surges with enterprise of their own, when they managed to retain any sort of possession.

After oranges, it was Stockport who scored the first points of the second half, with a well struck penalty, as DMPRFC were adjudged to have transgressed in the ruck (12 – 10).

DMPRFC responded when scrum half Zylon McGAFFIN set off on a mazy run into the heart of the visitors defence. The ball was kept alive and from a ruck, skipper Junior SULUGA – FAGALILO cut a line across and over the whitewash for the score (17 – 10), HODGSON converting (19 – 10).

The home side went further ahead when the backs colluded, with Chris McTURK and Cameron MITCHELL involved in the build up down the right wing. After a series of rucks, the ball was shipped out to Tom HODGSON who was tripped just short, but managed to offload to the ever supporting Rory DUFF, who touched down (24 – 10). Tom HODGSON converting (26 – 10).

Stockport responded with their second try at this stage, which was converted (26 – 17) and they still showed signs that they were not finished with proceedings.

Tom HODGSON slotted a penalty to increase the lead (29 – 17) and a fifth try for DMPRFC sealed matters, when from an attacking Stockport scrum, the ball was taken against the head, with replacement No. 8 Henry FORBES starting off the move and passing to Chris McTURK. He hacked on and Rory DUFF was on hand to gather and ship the ball out to Cameron MITCHELL who raced over for the score (34 – 17). Tom HODGSON on song for the conversion (36 – 17).