WESTOE RFC 5 v DMPRFC 20

So with the pitch at their Wood Terrace HQ waterlogged, the game against Westoe RFC was switched to Harton Technical College’s artificial surface.

The surface was ideal for rugby and the pitch itself, although a little on the small side, was a welcome bonus to the alternative, which would have been for DMPRFC, another weekend without a game.

As this local derby got underway, the rain fell constantly, but the surface prevailed and initially the game was fast and furious.

The battle for forward supremacy was combative, as both packs ‘smashed it up’ and no prisoners were being taken in the early exchanges.

Behind the scrum, DMPRFC looked more inventive and penetrated into the heart of the home defence regularly.

The handling from both sides was excellent given the conditions and the wet ball.

DMPRFC struck the first blow on seventeen minutes, as the home side were penalised for one of many offences committed in the first half and visiting stand-off Grant CONNON made them pay with a sweetly struck penalty against the wind and driving rain (0 – 3).

The Westoe penalty count in that period was too high and Grant CONNON added a further two penalties before oranges and with the score at 0 – 9 at the break, DMPRFC were well worth their lead.

Proceedings continued after oranges with the metronomic boot of Grant CONNON adding a further penalty (0 – 12) as Westoe kept conceding and were punished with a yellow card after repeated warnings from the official.

There were several searing breaks by the visiting backs, with Shaun McCARTNEY and Lewis JOHNSON prevalent. The forwards were equally as effective, with No. 8 Danny DIXON and lock Chris CAMPBELL barging their way through the opposition.

The first and only try of the game for DMPRFC came from impressive centre Chris PEACE who collected the ball and hauled his way over the line after good interplay by his colleagues in the backs, with progress initially made into the home defence by a Danny DIXON bullocking run (0 – 17).

Grant CONNON struck the conversion perfectly and as it sailed between the posts, most onlookers applauded a great kick, until the two assisting officials signalled a miss. The bemused crowd did have sympathy for the officials as the school posts were on the short side, but the two points got away from the visitors' total and the game carried on.

Westoe did manage to get over the line after a catch and drive from a lineout (5 – 17), but it was far too late in the game, as Grant CONNON had the last word with another penalty success (5 – 20), the referee blowing for full time after it was taken.

All in all a well deserved win for DMPRFC and a successful end to rugby in 2012, who look forward to 2013, moving into the Darlington Arena and all that it will bring.