DUDLEY KINGSWINFORD 18 v DMPRFC 15

It all started so very different, when from the kick-off the ball was won and whisked back along the line for initially Shaun McCARTNEY to carry the ball into contact, then Grant CONNON to hack on for his brother Max to score the opening try before the Dudley Kingswinford players had drawn breath (0 – 5).

The score stunned the home side and their vocal supporters, but rather than this having a negative effect, it stung them into action and before another four minutes had elapsed they were level, with a try of their own after a defensive lapse from the visitors at lineout time (5 – 5).

It was a bitterly cold day and there was a strong wind blowing down the pitch, which in the first half, assisted the home side, who were always able to clear their lines with decent downfield punts.

An injury to flanker Will MACAULAY was an early blow for DMPRFC, especially when the replacement was lock Chris CAMPBELL, who had been struck down with a virus overnight.

Dudley were awarded a close range penalty shortley afterwards and went ahead as a result (8 – 5).

DMPRFC were always dangerous on the break and winger Shaun McCARTNEY showed his pace and strength, always seemingly having the beating of his opposite number, which on several occasions he did, only to be pegged back by the covering defence.

Before oranges, DMPRFC showed good defence to keep the home side out and broke out of defence frequently and in numbers, only for the telling pass for the score to elude them, as well as the Dudley Kingswinford defenders themselves, who put in a decent shift.

Just when it looked that it would be all square at oranges, Shaun McCARTNEY popped up on the opposite win to squeeze in a try in the corner (8 – 10), which Grant CONNON converted (8 – 12).

Perhaps this was against the run of play, but DMPRFC looked dangerous on the counter attack and it was always a possibility.

When the second half resumed proceedings, the first score always seemed to be going to be vital and when this came via a penalty to the visitors, courtesy of a Grant CONNON success (5 – 15), supporters of DMPRFC in attendance could have been forgiven to think that more points would follow, as the wind which favoured the home side, now was in the visitors favour.

However, it was Dudley Kingswinford who scored next, with a try from close quarters (13 – 15).

Things were very tight from then on in, but increasingly, it was the home side who were showing more determination than the visitors, pinning them back in their own 22 metres as the clock ticked down.

DMPRFC had plenty opportunities to clear their lines on several occasions in order to relieve pressure, however, these attempts as such, were half-hearted and when they should have managed the remaining minutes a lot better to see out the scrappy win.

As things often occur in these circumstances, this day was no exception, when a suicidal pass out of defence was knocked on and from the resulting scrum and in the dying minutes of the game, Dudley Kingswinford scored the try that won the game (18 - 15).

Credit to DMPRFC lock Chris CAMPBELL who battled on manfully despite his illness.

Make no mistake, Dudley Kingswinford deserved their victory, which was applauded rapturously by the home faithful, but the journey home for the visitors was, as can be imagined, a very quiet affair.