SEDGLEY TIGERS RFC 23 v DMPRFC 21

It is a credit to both sides, that despite those conditions, they endeavoured to make the contest very competitive and the handling of the ball was first class.

DMPRFC were badly affected by the loss of lock Pierce PHILLIPS in the warm up prior to the game and that coupled with the injury to Chris CAMPBELL last week and the call up to the Newcastle Falcons 1ST XV of Glen YOUNGS, necessitated that two back row forwards, Guy van den DRIES and Ollie HODGSON were called up into the engine room.

As the game began and the set pieces evolved, it soon became clear that DMPRFC were going to have problems in those areas, due to the lack of weight.

However, the first half was a pretty tight affair, with DMPRFC starting the brighter, pummelling the home line and only a determined defence kept them out early doors. The high tempo game initially worked, but no tries ensued and Sedgley Park began to settle to their accustomed pace, using tight forwards in and around the fringes.

As the home side turned the tables somewhat, indiscipline in midfield, allowed their top scoring fly half two penalty opportunities, which he registered in reasonable quick succession, followed by a speculative drop goal from a home centre.

DMPRFC fly half had a mixed day with the boot, missing two penalty opportunities early on, but registering with another two, after high tackle and offside offences from Sedgley Tigers.

With the score of 9 – 6 at oranges, the game was finely balanced, however the home side had enjoyed more possession and territory.

Sedgley scored early in after the interval, as their No.8 picked up and drove through a ruck to the line (14 – 6). The conversion was successful (16 – 6).

Grant CONNON responded with a penalty for DMPRFC (16 – 9).

A further converted try from the home hooker (23 – 9) appeared initially to consign DMPRFC to a miserable day, but once a home player had received a yellow card, the visitors at last threw everything at Sedgley Tigers, who visibly began to tire.

DMPRFC then made some changes to try to re-invigorate their side, which paid some dividends.

First, some clever handling found an appropriate gap for skipper Cameron MITCHELL to glide through (23 – 14), but the conversion was not successful.

DMPRFC were certainly not down and out at this stage and within a couple of minutes, as the clock ran down, replacement scrum half Andrew SMITH dotted down near the posts for DMPRFC (23 – 19) and when the conversion was successful (23 – 21) several anxious faces were seen around the Sedgley Tigers contingent, both within their playing squad and in the terraces.

DMPRFC were starting to play as they knew they could, but it was ‘all too little too late’, as whilst on the final attack of the game, the ball spilled forward, allowing the home side to boot the ball out from the resulting scrum and relief for their players and supporters.