DMPRFC 51 v SHEFFIELD TIGERS RFC 3

Sheffield Tigers RFC old boys Callum MACKENZIE and Ross WHITE both contributed to the downfall of their former club with early tries, as DMPRFC roared to victory.

Memories of last season’s defeat were soon distant, as 4 tries were scored in the first half and after oranges, another 5 tries, the best of which was the last try from winger Tom KILL.

In the early exchanges, both sets of forwards combated well, but it was soon evident that the home side were proving the more dominant and it was no surprise when centre Callum MACKENZIE forced his way over, after good work from the home pack released the ball wide for him to score after only six minutes had elapsed (5 – 0). Grant CONNON missed the conversion from wide out, in what was to be a difficult day for kickers with the boot, as the wind swirled around the Arena.

Ross WHITE was next to score 6 minutes later, as a good catch and drive by the forwards was rewarded when the hooker emerged with the ball, having burrowed his way over the line (10 – 0).

Home skipper Cameron MITCHELL crossed the whitewash next, after a flowing move, started by prop Ralph APPLEBY, carried on by the impressive Callum MACKENZIE and when the ball was passed to the centre, he made to no mistake (15 – 0).

Sheffield Tigers were spurred into a rear guard action and were unlucky not to score next, save for a superb tackle by home fly half Grant CONNON. In the ruck that followed, the home side transgressed and Sheffield took the resulting penalty, which happened to be their only points of the game.

Debutant winger Mike WOOD got himself on the score sheet just prior to oranges and with the half time score at 20 – 3 and the bonus point in the bag, things were always going to be difficult for the visitors on the resumption of play.

However, a more determined Sheffield Tigers side emerged from the tunnel after the break and with three changes, they started the more purposeful. However, their passion was short-lived, as two of their players were sin-binned for dissent within 10 minutes of each other, which virtually put pay to their resurgence.

That is not to say that the next 5 tries would not have come anyway for DMPRFC, as the home side stepped up another gear and ran the ball from every opportunity.

Winger Mike WOOD got his brace, again after good work from the home pack, in which flanker Jack ALLCOCK was particularly outstanding (25 – 3). This time the try was converted by full back Henry ROBINSON (27 – 3) and it was ROBINSON himself who scored the next try, squeezing under the desperate defence for the score in the corner (32 – 3).

The forwards got in on the scoring act for the next, as replacement hooker Ross DONEGHAN crossed the line in the opposite corner, after a telling break by replacement flanker Liam RILEY, backed up by No.8 Guy van den DRIES, who shipped on to DONEGHAN for the try (37 – 3). Again the conversion was successful, but this time by replacement back Gavin PAINTER (39 – 3).

Fly half Grant CONNON got in on the act of scoring, when a quick tap penalty on half way, was moved with quick hands, allowing CONNON the gap to jink through for the try (44 – 3).

The try of the game came last, when winger Tom KILL went in between the posts, after exceptional work from flanker Liam RILEY took him into the heart of the visitors defence (49 – 3). The try was converted by Gavin PAINTER (51 – 3).

So an all round comprehensive win for DMPRFC, who will need to be at their very best for a difficult run of fixtures in November.