DMPRFC 28 v SHEFFIELD TIGERS RFC 31

DMPRFC seemed to uncharacteristically misfire for most of this game, but whether that was naivety or lack of experience on their part or derived from the doggedness and invention of the visitors is a matter of opinion.

For the neutral, the game on the day was a decent watch, with eight tries score, four apiece and an exciting finish, with a last gasp effort to secure the win for Sheffield Tigers RFC.

Unusually, proceedings started off badly for the home side, as they were 10 points on arrears, with Sheffield Tigers registering with a penalty and a converted penalty try. Zylon McGAFFIN picked up a yellow card in the process and a rear-guard action was required to stem the tide, which was achieved, as stand-off Grant CONNON obliged, jinking in after a lineout was secured an spun out to him (5 – 10). He also converted his own try, to close the gap between the sides (7 – 10).

Just prior to oranges, as DMPRFC were restored to a full complement, it was the visitors who’s turn it was to lose a man and from another lineout success, the resulting breakdown, saw the returning Zylon McGAFFIN, supply prop Ralph APPLEBY, who rumbled over from close range (12 – 10). Grant CONNON was successful with a superb touchline conversion (14 – 10), which saw the home side take as narrow lead into the interval.

After the break, it was the visitors who started the brighter, when their outside centre gathered a loose ball and sprinted down the touchline for a score after 5 minutes of the re-start (14 – 15), which was converted (14 – 17).

DMPRFC responded 5 minutes later to retake the lead, when full back Henry ROBINSON managed to get hold of the ball well inside his own half, sprinting full 70 metres for a try under the posts (19 – 17), with the conversion easy for Grant CONNON (21 – 17).

Not to be outdone, the same visiting centre scored another converted try (21 – 24), putting the visitors back in front, as the clock ticked down, looking ominous for the home players and supporters.

Magician and winger, Chris McTURK looked to have snatched victory a minute later, when he sprinted off down the wing, chipped and chased, to gather for the score (26 – 24), which replacement Tom HODGSON converted (28 – 24).

There looked only to be time for the restart, which took place and as a defensive clearance kick was charged down deep inside the home 5 metre line, things turned disastrous. Initially, a visiting player knocked on, which was thought to signal full time. However, there was just enough for a home scrum, which had not been a good area for DMPRFC all game. Inevitably, the ball was turned over and the visiting centre deservedly burst over the line for his hat-trick of tries, as the ball was spun out (28 – 29). The conversion had to be allowed, which again was positive from a Sheffield perspective (28 – 31), heralding the final whistle.

From elation to desolation in less than 3 minutes for the home side, but the reverse for the visitors who, to be fair, would not have deserved to have come second in this thrilling encounter.