SHEFFIELD TIGERS RFC 12 v DMPRFC 31

The game was initially dominated by the home forwards who threw everything at the visitors. But determined defence forced them back in the tackle and once this ploy had failed, Sheffield did not seem to have an alternative plan for the first half.

The early loss of a key centre did not help the home cause, as injury forced him from the field and off to hospital. Everyone at DMPRFC wishes him well and a speedy recovery from what looked like an eye injury.

DMPRFC weathered the storm and took the game to Sheffield. Pressure on the home 22-metre line culminated in the ball being shipped out to centre Cameron MITCHELL who danced his way around three defenders before finding flanker Rory DUFF in support for a try near to the posts (0 – 5). Grant CONNON adding the extras (0 – 7).

Sheffield were falling foul of the official for persistently going off their feet at the ruck and were warned accordingly, conceding the appropriate penalties.

In the second quarter of the game, the action was mainly contained in midfield, with both teams looking for openings and weaknesses in their respective opposition.

Again Sheffield tried forward power from some of their big individuals, but again stout defence kept them at bay, with flankers Luke WISHNOWSKY and Rory DUFF to the fore for the visitors.

DMPRFC did try to play the game outside of the scrum, but a combination of frustration and good home defence prevented any openings.

Just before oranges, Sheffield did transgress in their own 22, after probing runs from Cameron MITCHELL and Jack NEVILLE were halted by a ruck offence. Grant CONNON struck a good penalty to put DMPRFC into a 0 – 10 lead at the break.

A renewed Sheffield Tigers came out after oranges and they tried to get back into a game that was gradually slipping from their grasp.

Forward pressure was applied in the scrum and the reward was a penalty try, as the the visiting forwards were adjudged as having illegally wheeled the scrum, stopping a certain try. There were no complaints from the visitors, as the scrum had already been reset previously (5 – 10). The afters were easy from under the posts (7 – 10).

Sheffield’s interest in the game seemed to renew, but no sooner than they had closed the points gap, then DMPRFC cranked it up with scrum half Jack NEVILLE chipping in with a hat-trick of tries to sink the home side, leaving the home side stunned.

All three were from quick thinking forays from the breakdown or scrum.

The first followed a pick up and drive from No. 8 Danny DIXON who rampaged over a couple of defenders before offloading to Jack NEVILLE ,who still had avoidance work to do before touching down (7 – 15). Grant CONNON obliging with the conversion (7 – 17).

In their frustration, the home skipper was yellow carded for going in from the side at the ruck, which further hampered Sheffield’s rear guard actions.

DMPRFC were in no mood for sympathy however and a further Jack NEVILLE touchdown emanating from an individual break added to their woes shortly afterwards (7 – 22). Again Grant CONNON converted (7 – 24).

With the home side in trouble, Jack NEVILLE complete his hat-trick, breaking from the back of the scrum for the score (7 – 29), with Grant CONNON obliging with the afters (7 – 31).

Pride from the Sheffield side saw them score a good try in the closing minutes (12 - 31), however the game was lost and DMPRFC recorded a bonus point victory, which they fully deserved.