DMPRFC 29 v LEICESTER LIONS RFC 6

After last week’s disappointing result against league leaders Stourbridge RFC, a four try bonus point win saw DMPRFC back on track with a 29 – 6 win on a perfect day for rugby at Yiewsley Drive.

Leicester Lions RFC were lying seventh in the table, with five wins to their credit and some decent performances in the bag.

It was Leicester Lions who started well, settling down immediately, with no signs of the bus journey in their legs. They were rewarded after only three minutes with a penalty, after the home side had infringed at a lineout five metres from the line and their kicker made no mistake with the opening points (0 – 3).

Leicester Lions possess some large individuals in their forward pack, but DMPRFC tackled well and competed equally at ruck and maul.

Winger Sean McCARTNEY instigated a move which led to a try for DMPRFC, when he cut back inside from his left wing berth and after good support from centre Cameron MITCHELL who beat his opposite number, the ball was shipped out to Chris McTURK who sped over the line to register the first points for the home side (5 – 3). Stand off Tom HODGSON was successful with the afters from a difficult angle (7 – 3).

Both sides tested out their respective defences with a series of probing kicks, but to be fair, these kicks were dealt with adequately by defenders who coped well and neither side gained any particular advantage with this strategy.

Lions were caught offside in midfield and Tom HODGSON increased DMPRFC’s lead after twenty minutes, with a well struck penalty from 25 metres (10 – 3).

With DMPRFC having four key players missing from last week’s game in Zylon McGAFFIN, Grant CONNON, Lewis JOHNSON and Luke WISHNOWSKY, it may have been anticipated that the players coming in would take time to settle. However, this proved not to be the case as Jack NEVILLE, Tom HODGSON, Sean McCARTNEY and Will MACAULAY all adjusted seamlessly and contributed well throughout the game.

Leicester Lions were always in the game and tried to attack the home defences given an opportunity, but on one such foray, a breakdown in communication allowed a pass to go astray and Tom HODGSON was on hand to gather and sprint from the halfway line to the posts, just evading the covering defenders (15 – 3). The same player retained just enough wind in his lungs to slot the conversion (17 – 3) as DMPRFC just started to pull away.

However, just prior to the break for oranges, Leicester Lions showed that were not yet finished, reducing the arrears with a penalty, after the home side had transgressed with a side entry at ruck time (17 – 6).

Just after the break, both sides introduced fresh legs into the game, but again Leicester showed their willingness not to capitulate, with some good defence of their own, as centre Cameron MITCHELL made several searing breaks for the home side, looking for the key to unlock proceedings.

It wasn’t until just into the final quarter that DMPRFC broke down Leicester Lions, when from a ruck infringement on the half way line, saw a quick tap from Jack NEVILLE who incisively took possession into the heart of the visiting defence, supported by Chris McTURK who took the long pass to score his brace (22 – 6). Again Tom HODGSON was successful with the afters (24 – 6).

From then on, DMPRFC tried to secure the four try bonus point, against the visitors who were determined to remain solid.

That looked to be it, but a final catch and drive five metres out, saw a final opportunity for DMPRFC and after some initial stern defence by Leicester Lions, the maul was driven over, with No. 8 Danny DIXON emerging from the melee as the scorer (29 – 6).

So the bonus point was secured in the end, but all credit to Leicester Lions, they played their part in an entertaining game in the sun for home and visiting supporters alike.