DMPRFC 34 v WEST PARK (ST HELENS) RFC 19

Some onlookers would have anticipated that result or better and probably expected Mowden not to have conceded that amount of points. However, West Park (St Helens) RFC appear to be made of sterner stuff recently and in our humble opinion, we have played worse sides than them this season. Although not looking like a complement to West Park, it is certainly meant as one, as they belied their bottom place league position and at times during the game, looked to have a decent back line offence and industrious forwards.

After an initial penalty blip, we scored three tries by oranges, the first by winger Alan JONES wide out, then similarly another by his counterpart Rob EATOUGH, after a width of the field passage of play, converted very cleverly from the touchline by Ritchie Young. The third, again from Robin EATOUGH, was again converted by Ritchie YOUNG, but unfortunately led all of the home players into a false sense of believing that the game was all over and time for a round of drinks.

No-one had told West Park this of course and to their credit, they hauled themselves back into the game in a twenty minute period after oranges, taking them to within three points, at 22 – 19. That was not too difficult for the away side to achieve, with some innocuous defence and silent communication from the home players. However, West Park did play well during this period.

During this period, three yellow cards were dished out by the official, one for the home side in Mace POLOIE for hands in the ruck and the other two for West Park, for pulling down a maul and the other for going in at the side of a ruck. None of these occurrences affected the game, which was reasonably competitive throughout.

At this point, credit to the home team was due, in that they awoke from their temporary slumber and proceeded to dominate the rest of the game, scoring a further two tries through forwards Mace POLOIE and Howie MURRAY, the former converted by Ritchie YOUNG.

It was the five points that mattered in the end from the home perspective, but on this showing, West Park will compete similarly with some other sides in this league and win.

Congratulations to Richard Sawyer who gave a sterling performance on his debut, with some fine, tackle breaking forays and also Andrew Seddon, again on his debut, who showed he is capable of replicating the form of his brother. Unfortunately they did not get the opportunity of playing alonside each other, as Graeme had to retire hurt prior to Andrew's introduction.