DMPRFC 32 v HULL RFC 13

On paper Hull RFC have an impressive array of names with experience at higher leagues and it must be puzzling therefore to their followers, as to how they find themselves in mid table, having had mixed results to date.

However, their big, combative forwards had the edge in the set piece, whilst the opposing lineout jumpers appeared to cancel each other out.

It was behind the scrum that DMPRFC had the cutting edge, which appeared in contrast somewhat lacking in the visitors, who made little impact in that particular area of the game.

It was the visitors who landed the first points, by way of a penalty on the 22 metre line, as the home side were adjudged to have strayed offside after 13 minutes (0 – 3).

Honours were pretty even after that, until on 21 minutes, , a clever midfield chip by home fly half Grant CONNON, was chased by full back Henry ROBINSON, who skilfully judged the bounce of the ball, gathering to run unopposed and touch down near to the posts (5 – 3). Grant CONNON CONVERTING (7 – 3).

Hull RFC managed another penalty on the stroke of oranges (7 – 6) to leave things pretty even at the interval. Offside again was the reason for the penalty and accordingly the official saw in necessary to sin bin DMPRFC lock Guy van den DRIES for the offence, leaving the home side bereft of numbers on the resumption of play.

DMPRFC immediately started the brighter and after only 3 minutes of play in the second half, winger and top scorer Chris McTURK weighed in with his first try, deploying a customary chip through and chase, which he measured to perfection once over the line, dotting down for the score (12 – 6).

Grant CONNON added two further penalties, as the home side began to exert control of the game from a scoreboard perspective (18 – 6).

Silky centre Cameron MITCHELL glided through the centre of the Hull defence for the next try (23 – 6), as the lead was further extended. Grant CONNON again obliging with the afters (25 – 6).

Hull RFC scored a late, converted consolation try via their No.8 (25 – 13), but as the game seemed to peter out towards the finish, winger Chris McTURK had the final say.

From an uncontested scrum due to DMPRFC front row injuries and a sinbinning, a long mispass from replacement fly half Tom HODGSON, was followed by a superb Henry ROBINSON break. The deft pass that accompanied it allowed Chris McTURK to race nearly half the length of the pitch, outstripping the cover defence, to score a fine try for his brace (30 – 13). Tom HODGSON was successful with the conversion as that kick heralded the officials whistle for the end of the game.

Five points then towards the league total, but with Hull Ionians managing a narrow bonus point win at home to Stourbridge (24 – 23), celebrations were not quite as they might have been, as the play off place perhaps seems a bridge just too far.