DMPRFC 40 v BIRMINGHAM SOLIHULL 10

As had been stated previously, in the first game against Birmingham Solihull at their Portway HQ, it took DMPRFC some time to break down a team who showed that they wanted to play fast, flowing rugby on a pitch that was perfect to play on.

This time, the pitch showed the signs of persistent rainfall and unusually for Yiewsley Drive in recent times, did cut up badly, being heavy in places. However, the result was the same, as DMPRFC overcame that problem and Birmingham Solihull’s threat.

The first ten minutes was played at a frantic pace, which both teams initially coped with, which was a credit to both sides, as superiority was fought for through forward and backs combative exchanges.

The deadlock was broken by the home side, who seemed to have a distinct edge behind the scrum and through the returning home scrum half Zylon McGAFFIN, probably the games’ best player on the day. The livewire back made the break from the back of a ruck and when halted just short of the line, presented the ball for No. 8 Rory DUFF to score the first try of the game on 12 minutes (5 – 0). Grant CONNON obliged with the conversion (7 – 0).

Birmingham Solihull have some solid citizens in the tight, but the home side were quicker in thought and deed and made the ball available for the backs to continue to pose a threat every time they were in possession.

Birmingham Solihull replied with a well taken penalty, as DMPRFC offended in the midst of a rolling maul (7 – 3).

A scrum in centre field provided the next score, as No. 8 Rory DUFF made good progress down the right hand side of the pitch, before offloading to full back Chris McTURK, who likewise carried the ball deep into the visitor’s territory. When the ball was shipped left, several pairs of hands found Cameron MITCHELL, who still had a bit to do, cutting back inside and beating three defenders in the process to the line (12 – 3). Once again Grant CONNON obliged 15 – 3), however unusually, this was to be his last success with conversion attempts.

Birmingham Solihull were guilty of not rolling away in the tackle, as Grant Connon slotted his first penalty success from 25 yards (15 – 3), as the home side gradually ground down the visitors prior to the break for oranges.

From the visitors kick off which was returned in kind by the home side, Chris McTURK’S excellent chase caused confusion in the Birmingham Solihull defence and winger Shaun McCARTNEY, who had previously shown his strength with some incisive running, profited by gathering the ball and outsprinting the defence to the line (20 – 3).

It was though that Birmingham Solihull may enter the field after oranges with a determined approach, however they conspired to their own downfall, as two players were yellow carded within the space of two minutes, one for untidy footwork on a home player and the other for a blatant trip.

Neither offence was heinous, however, any team down to thirteen players is bound to come unstuck for the shortfall period and this was no exception as DMPRFC took full advantage.

Two tries followed in quick succession, as the extra personnel took effect.

The first of those tries came directly after the second Birmingham Solihull player was sin-binned, as from the resultant penalty, the ball was sent high and long, for winger Lewis JOHNSON to sprint on to and gather superbly to race in for the touchdown (25 – 3).

The second came from the untiring endeavours of scrum half Zylon McGAFFIN, who saw a gap and forced his way over from a breakdown five yards out (30 – 3).

Birmingham Solihull never gave up and themselves broke the line with their backs on several occasions, only to be well marshalled by the covering defence.

However, their only try was well deserved, as they forced their way over from a rolling maul (30 – 8). The conversion was also successful (30 – 10).

DMPRFC were still able to raise the tempo once more and continued to look to add to their tally.

A Grant CONNON penalty with ten minutes to go (33 – 10) was the initial signal that there was more to come.

As Birmingham Solihull tried to pass their way out of defence, a relieving kick found replacement Max CONNON, who started off the next passage of play by passing the ball that eventually found its way through several pairs of hands, before lock Chris CAMPBELL provided the final pass that released full back Chris McTURK for his score just before full time (38 – 10). Replacement Tom HODGSON provided the extras (40 – 10) for a well deserved home victory.