DMPRFC 34 v LUCTONIANS RFC 18

A healthy crowd were fully entertained on a good day for running rugby, if even a little soft underfoot.

Luctonians, like many sides DMPRFC have come across in this league so far, contained some big forwards, who like to ‘bash it up’ the middle and concentrate on scrum and lineout, which occasionally does bring its rewards.

It worked initially for the visitors, who scored a try from a 5 metre scrum by their ex Welsh international scrum half, to get their points tally underway after 16 minutes of play (0 – 5).

DMPRFC responded almost immediately, when from a midfield infringement by Luctonians, home scrum half Zylon McGAFFIN worked his magic from the quickly taken penalty, releasing the home backline. Winger Chris McTURK was in on the move from the beginning, as the backs made forceful headway and after several pairs of hands, McTURK received the scoring pass, racing down the right wing and round in the direction of the posts, to give his fly half a better kicking position (5 – 5).

Grant CONNON obliged, in what was the start of an excellent kicking exhibition for him (7 – 5).

As the game got going, it was DMPRFC who dropped their guard, finding themselves penalised for an innocuous offence on their own 22 metre line and behind in the game, as Luctonians slotted the penalty (7 – 8).

Further problems were anticipated, when lively flanker Luke WISHNOWSKY was penalised at the breakdown and shown a yellow card, which appeared a little harsh in the extreme.

Luctonians may have thought that this was their opportunity to pile on some points, however, DMPRFC has no such thoughts, scoring 17 unanswered points to virtually put away the visitors before oranges.

The next try for the home side was slightly fortuitous, as a mix up in a Luctonians attack broke down in the execution of it on the half way line and the ball found its way into the hands of fly half Grant CONNON, who raced in under the posts (12 – 8), making the conversion for himself easy (14 – 8).

Grant CONNON was then successful with a penalty, when the visitors had strayed offside during a DMPRFC attack (17 – 8).

The third home try was probably the best seen for a while at Yiewsley Drive, when slick handling and incisive running by the backs found centre Cameron MITCHELL in space and his silky, smooth line brought the try (22 – 8). Grant CONNON slotting a difficult conversion from wide out (24 – 8).

On oranges, a somewhat shell- shocked Luctonians side trudged off the field, to regroup and try to get back into the game.

After the break, everyone was anticipating a Luctonians revival, when an infringement by a visiting player, just outside his 22 metre line, gave Grant CONNON the opportunity to add to the home scoreline with confident aplomb (27 – 8).

DMPRFC prop Ralph APPLEBY found himself in space wide out, receiving the ball on the visiting 22 metre line and he just kept going and going, scoring a try for the forwards (32 – 8). The metronomic boot of Grant CONNON again successful with the afters (34 – 8).

So the anticipated surge from Luctonians initially never transpired, but when changes were made by the home side, impetus was transferred and to be fair Luctonians did deserve some success, as they always looked dangerous up front with ball in hand.

Two tries followed for them, the first from a five metre scrum (34 – 13) and another from a break out of defence when DMPRFC were left rueing a decision not to kick a penalty, then losing possession from the resulting lineout (34 – 18).

So another good day at the office for DMPRFC, which left Luctonians, who were a good bunch on and off the field, somewhat deflated on their five hour, 235 odd mile journey back to Herefordshire, in two minibuses.