BROMSGROVE RFC 5 v DMPRFC 13

Clear sky, bright and breezy day, good pitch, if not a little soft. Thats what DMPRFC would have been very happy with at Bromsgrove RFC's Finstall Road HQ.

And so it started like that, however torrential rain and hailstones descended, turning the ball into a bar of soap and the pitch into something which resembled a well thawed ice rink.

With a big, heavy pack, Bromsgrove must have thought that Christmas had come early, but in the end it was the visitors who left the battlefield with the honours and a pleasant return journey to the North East.

Bromsgrove started the more determined, hammering away at the visiting defence with wave upon wave of forward drives into the red zone, only to be repelled with equal vigour, as DMPRFC held firm. This line assault may have usually brought the home team some reward, but not with DMPRFC in this determined mind set.

Visiting full back Ritchie YOUNG did interfere with a quick tap penalty on the half way line as Bromsgrove launched another assault, but as no person had been previously spoken to by the official, the judgement seemed particularly harsh as he was immediately sin-binned.

This might have given Bromsgrove some initial impetus, as they plotted more of the same, but it was the visitors who took the game to the home side and skipper Junior SULUGA - FAGALILO barged over for his second try in as many weeks (0 - 5). Grant CONNON was successful from wide out with conversion (0 - 7).

Visiting lock Chris CAMPBELL took a knock and was replaced by Henry FORBES, who immediately made an impact with some strong running and big hits.

As Ritchie YOUNG returned and just prior to oranges, the heavens opened and torrrential rain was followed by hailstones, turning the pitch into a slippery mess.

DMPRFC had repelled the onslaught and managed decent back interplay before the downpour, with Cameron MITCHELL, Chris PEACE, wingers Lewis JOHNSON and Chris McTURK and full back Ritchie YOUNG all playing their part.

Fly half Grant CONNON was orchestrating manoeuvres, but also tackling the biggest of the Bromsgrove pack into the bargain and it was he who put the visitors further ahead with a penalty when Bromsgrove were adjudged offside in the centre of the field (0 - 10)

Bromsgrove, for all their endeavours, failed to register at oranges, but must have been buoyed by the advent of wet weather, as they plotted their resurgence after the break.

And it did come in the second half, as again they battered away at the visitng line.

This time, even after manfull repelling of the determined home pack, Bromsgrove managed to get over the line (5 - 10) , which, even though a little fortunate, perhaps was deserved after their previous efforts to score.

All players must be commended for their handling of the conditions, as the rain threatened to spoil proceedings, but the decent crowd were rewarded with some entertaining rugby and again it was thanks to the combatants on the day.

Tom HODGSON, Max CONNON and Danny DIXON were all introduced to the game after oranges and all made their required contributions.

The visiting pack made a massive impact, with the front five more than competent against their bigger opponents and the back row working tirelessly and unselfishly.

DMPRFC did break out of defence in the second half and tried the more open rugby, but again had to manfully defend, as Bromsgrove continued in their vain attempt to batter down the visiting defences.

However, on this day is wasn't to be, as a further Grant CONNON penalty (5 - 13) added to the scoreline, after a home player was sin binned for pulling back Max CONNON, which nailed down the deserved away victory.