DMPRFC 38 v STOURBRIDGE 8

Prior to the game, most pundits predicted a close game, with probably less than a ten point margin between the two sides based on current form. However, regardless of home advantage, what transpired could not have been envisaged, with DMPRFC overwhelmingly consigning Stourbridge RFC to their biggest defeat for some time.

Three tries in each half sealed the win, but a formidable effort from the forwards layed down the foundations for the result, with a dominant scrum a key factor.

Stourbridge started the better of the two teams and only resolute defending by the home side kept them at bay.

Then, virtually with their first possession of the game, DMPRFC scored a try. The ball came back out of a ruck on the Stourbridge 22, with fast hands finding centre Callum MACKENZIE, who took the defenders tackle, managing to pass to flanker Liam RILEY who crashed over in the corner for the score (5 – 0).

Lock Talite VAIOLETI, back after injury was prevalent in attack and defence, together with the rest of the DMPRFC forwards.

Grant CONNON added a penalty when Stourbridge were adjudged to have held on in the tackle (8 – 0).

Stourbridge bounced back, when a midfield burst was supported and their winger squeezed in the corner (8 – 5).

Grant CONNON replied with another penalty (11 – 5).

Both sides sought to wrestle for possession, but it also appeared as though DMPRFC would make the ground in any ruck or maul and when scrummages were awarded, Stourbridge were constantly driven backwards, gaining no front foot platform from which to attack.

Unfortunately, industrious flanker Liam RILEY was forced to leave the field after only 24 minutes, with what appeared to be a serious ankle injury, to be replaced by Chris CAMPBELL.

From a Stourbridge 22 metre drop out, the ball was collected by scrum half Andrew SMITH, who shipped it on to Grant CONNON. Seeing the advancing defence, he deftly chipped over and onto full back Henry ROBINSON, who made ground to catch in ‘on the full’. His trickery beat five defenders, giving the scoring pass to supporting hooker Ross DONEGHAN to score near the posts (16 – 5).

An easy conversion followed for Grant CONNON (18 – 5) as DMPRFC began to edge ahead.

From a midfield ruck in the visitors 22, Andrew SMITH whipped the ball out and when another ruck was formed close to the Stourbridge line, with the referee already indicating a penalty, the same player sniped in for a close quarter try, as advantage was being played (23 – 5).

Again, DMPRFC were struck with an injury, as influential full back Henry ROBINSON departed play with a knee injury, replaced by Gavin PAINTER.

Just before oranges, Stourbridge were successful with a penalty of their own (23 – 8), but little did connections know that this score would be their last.

On the re-start, again Stourbridge started the more purposeful, with aggressive forays from their forwards. However, the DMPRFC defence proved their match, keeping them out of any danger areas and causing the visitors problems in return, after weathering the onslaught.

The next and bonus point try appeared to break the belief of the Stourbridge players, when a break from a midfield scrum by Andrew SMITH, found winger Chris McTURK, who clattered into the visitors defensive line. From the ensuing ruck, the ball was fed out to Ralph APPLEBY, who instead of following suit, deftly switched back to his scrum half, who floated a long pass out to skipper Cameron MITCHELL , who glided through a defensive gap for the score (28 – 8).

By this time it was all DMPRFC, who always appeared as if they could keep scoring, roared on by an appreciative crowd.

Another injury, saw fly half Grant CONNON leave the field of play, to be replaced by his brother Maxwell CONNON.

A break out of defence by lock Pierce PHILLIPS, found several players who interpassed, making progress into visiting territory. The flowing move was carried on by a rampaging Ralph APPLEBY, who again found the supporting Pierce PHILLIPS who managed to offload to spritely replacement full back Max CONNON, who burst through for an excellent try (33 – 8).

Ralph APPLEBY scored the final try from a ruck close to the Stourbridge line, where fast hands from Max CONNON, Gavin PAINTER and Talite VAIOLETI found the prop who crashed over in the corner (38 – 8).

Although, the injuries to players took the shine off the victory somewhat, there was no denying it was DMPRFC who had won the day emphatically.

Special mention must be given to the Stourbridge players, official and supporters, who were all magnanimous in defeat and an all round thoroughly decent bunch from a thoroughly decent club.