BIRMINGHAM SOLIHULL RFC 21 v DMPRFC 28

With the lead changing hands six times in an eventful second half, DMPRFC prevailed against a fire-up home side.

Initially proceedings appeared to be continuing routinely for the visitors as first winger Tom KILL powered in for a try, after a good line break by Gavin PAINTER, when only five minutes had elapsed on the clock (0 – 5).

This was followed up by another try for the league’s top try scorer and full back Henry ROBINSON, who supported a good drive from the forwards after a well taken lineout drive (0 – 10). The score was converted by Tom HODGSON returning at centre after injury (0 – 12).

Up to this period and for a further 10 minutes of play, DMPRFC dominated the scrums, lineouts and possession and things looked very promising for the visitors to push on.

For some reason, which will be ironed out by the coaches prior to the next outing, DMPRFC switched off and allowed the home side back into the game, with near disastrous consequences.

Naturally, connections of Birmingham Solihull will point to the thought that their team had showed too much respect to their visitors and only began playing at this point, which is a matter of opinion.

Needless to say, the home side got back into the game, initially with a straight forward penalty, after a DMPRFC player had not rolled away in the ruck (3 – 10) and just prior to oranges, when their experienced scrum half dived in for a try from a scrum (10 – 12).

So at the interval, it was the home side that jogged off into the changing rooms buoyed with cheers from their supporters and a visiting side who would be expecting some hard words.

However, no one could have expected the thrilling second half to follow, where the lead changed hands six times and both sets of supporters entertained with a nail biting finale.

Birmingham Solihull struck first after the break, with a well taken penalty (13 – 12), to take the home side into the lead for the first time. The penalty was given away by visiting lock Pierce PHILLIPS, who was sent to the sin bin for his troubles. This had been preceded an incisive break through the centre by a home back, who blatantly knocked on mid move, which seen by everyone in the ground, including both referees’ assistants, but allowed to continue by the referee, leading to the frustration.

The home team’s thoughts of any advantage however were dashed, when DMPRFC responded with a try from short range by prop Ralph APPLEBY, after a good series of pick and drives close to the home line by the forwards (13 – 17).

Not to be outdone, Birmingham Solihull replied with a try of their own (18 – 17).

Replacements were introduced by both teams, in an effort to spark proceedings, as the game was about to reach its finale.
Gavin PAINTER took over kicking duties from Tom HODGSON and took DMPRFC back into the lead, as the home side strayed offside (18 – 20).
Again, Birmingham Solihull counteracted that with a penalty (21 – 20), inching them in front again.

As the game entered the last ten minutes of play, it appeared as though the next score would win it.

Gavin PAINTER stepped up and was successful with a penalty with 4 minutes of play remaining (21 – 23), which was initially thought to be the deciding score.

However, DMPRFC forwards stepped up to conjure a try at the death, when replacement hooker Ross DONEGHAN burrowed his way over from a driving maul (21 – 28) to seal the game, in what had been a very entertaining encounter and credit to both clubs.