DMPRFC 29 v CALDY RFC 8

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For the second time in consecutive weeks, DMPRFC winger Chris McTURK scored a hat-trick of tries, which proved to be all the difference in a game against visitors who were determined and well drilled opposition.

Caldy RFC play the game very much like DMPRFC and like to make use of all of the available open spaces, which they endeavoured to do during the game.

Prior to kick off, DMPRFC lost powerful centre Craig DOMINIC with a hand injury in the warm up, so replacement back Tom HODGSON was called up, with Chris PEACE stepping up to the bench.

Things didn’t get any better for the home side, as influential Kiwi flanker Luke WISHNOWSKY was injured early in the game, leaving the field early on, also with a hand injury.

Prior to that, Tom HODGSON had put the home side in front with a penalty kick after only two minutes of play, as Caldy had conceded far too many infringements at the breakdown (3 – 0).

Caldy responded with their only try of the game on seven minutes, after some good progress was made by their forwards, allowing a winger to squeeze over in the corner (3 – 5).

Chris McTURK scored the first of his hat-trick of tries, after a mistake in the visiting midfield allowed the home winger to get his hands onto the ball. He cleverly drew the visiting defence, chipped, chased and gathered the ball for the score (8 – 5).

Both sides then tested out their respective defences, with some incursions into opposition territory, neither side able to dominate possession.

Another Tom HODGSON penalty (11 – 5) followed after Caldy were deemed guilty of a deliberate knock on.

DMPRFC gradually began to exert pressure and from an attacking lineout on the visiting 22-metre line, a backs move saw winger Chris McTURK inject the required amount of pace to sever the home defensive line, cutting through for his second score (16 – 5).

Not to be outdone, Caldy responded prior to oranges, battering away at the home line, however, as the line stood firm, all that Caldy had to show for that period of dominance was a penalty (16 – 8).

After the interval, Caldy resumed where they had left off, but the result was the same, as the home defence prevailed.

Both sides made tactical changes to personnel after the break.

DMPRFC broke out of defence and after a series of set scrums, home skipper Junior SULUGA – FAGALILO found himself in the back line and crashed over for the score wide out (21 – 8).

Tom HODGSON followed up with another penalty success as Caldy had transgressed at the contact area with a side entry offence (24 – 8).

Immediately from that kick off, the ball was gathered by home full back Henry ROBINSON, who deftly offloaded to Chris McTURK, who motored in for a well deserved hat-trick, which killed off Caldy’s determination (29 – 8).