DMPRFC 18 v MIDDLESBROUGH RFC 19

A disappointing performance in a local derby, where we did enough to win and indeed scored three tries to one.

Even playing poorly, we were always in the game and in fact had an opportunity to take the four points when we had a kick to win it near the death.

A decent crowd turned up at Yiewsley Drive and as both teams had shown decent form prior to the contest, a good game was anticipated.

Park started the better of the two and from the off, launched a series of attacks, which at one stage added up to twelve phases of play as Middlesbrough just couldn’t get their hands on the ball. It was all Park in the first half, with Middlesbrough only perhaps venturing into the opposition half on two occasions, but to be fair to them, they scored points on those brief forays.

Park scored the first try, when after concerted pressure, the Middlesbrough defence buckled and Dan SQUIRE went over.

Middlesbrough replied when the Park defence were adjudged offside and their kicker struck the penalty from close range.

Park’s only successful kick of the encounter followed, as Ritchie YOUNG slotted home, when the away hooker transgressed on 31 minutes and due to persistent team infringements, received a yellow card for his troubles.

As was said earlier, Middlesbrough’s forays were few and far between in this half, but on one of their two occasions they did visit opposition territory, they scored a try, which was converted and which gave them an unlikely lead at oranges of 8 - 10.

Harsh words were spoken at the interval, as Park had failed to gel thus far, however the game was still there for the taking.

Middlesbrough concentrated on forward drives straight down the middle, with big forward runners off scrum half and stand off and to be fair to them, this was quite a successful ploy, which gained them ground, however their outside backs could have spent the game talking to spectators on the touchline as the ball was never going to get to them.

Unfortunately, Park suffered the same fate, as despite ball being presented, none of the usual strike runners made their mark.

After oranges, Middlesbrough took up where they left off, trying to pummel the home defence and as a result gained crucial penalties, three of which were successful and proved to be match winners.

The same player earlier sin binned received another yellow card, but perhaps the official was confused by the amount of Horton’s in the visitor’s squad, as he failed to red card him on 76 mins.

Park scored two more tries through Cameron PEARSON and skipper Howie MURRAY and in fact Park had a conversion attempt to win, but no further kicks were converted and the game was lost.

It was little consolation playing poorly and just losing, however a bonus point just about takes the edge off the disappointment.

Congratulations to Middlesbrough who were workmanlike and well marshalled by their experienced scrum half.