DMPRFC 54 v LUCTONIANS RFC 0

Initially, DMPRFC made hard work of the openings they created and that, coupled with some stoic defending by the visitors, conspired to a scoreless 30 minutes of play.

DMPRFC were on the attack for most of that period, but some uncharacteristically poor handling and failure to finish clear chances, led to a little frustration, when cool heads would have done the trick.

Luctonians RFC saw some hope during this time and the longer this score line remained equal, their confidence ratcheted up a notch. They did manage some possession of their own and with their winger a constant threat cutting back inside, Luctonians fancied they had weathered the early storm.

It was only a matter of time however, before the home pressure on the visitor’s line paid off and it was no surprise when winger Shaun McCARTNEY stretched his way over in the corner for a try (5 – 0) after good midfield work opened up the defence.

Fly half Gavin PAINTER kicked a superb touch line conversion (7 – 0) and this appeared to galvanise DMPRFC into action.

There had been a few signs that the contest in the breakdown area had been a bone of contention with the official, as he had occasion to speak to both captains about the number of penalties in that area.

Hooker Ross WHITE crossed near to the posts just before oranges, after some good pace and offloading by the DMPRFC forwards had made progress towards the Luctonians RFC line ( 12 – 0). Again Gavin PAINTER was sure- footed with the extras (14 – 0).

So as the interval came, connections were a little muted with the display, but the promise of perhaps more to come after oranges, spurred them on, on a bitterly cold, but thankfully dry day in the North East.

As the second half began, it was DMPRFC who started the more determined, however in contrast to the opening half hour, this time the passes began to flow and minds appeared to be focused.

In a foray into DMPRFC territory, Luctonians coughed up the ball and Cameron MITCHELL broke out of defence and back into the visitors half. This time there was plenty of support on hand and Callum MACKENZIE parted the defensive line to score near to the posts (19 – 0).

DMPRFC sent on replacements Ross DONEGHAN, Josh BAYFORD and Talite VAIOLETI to bolster the pack which had already been successful in shunting the Luctonians RFC eight backwards in nearly every scrum.

Chris PEACE replaced Ollie HODGSON and whilst the former slotted into centre, this allowed the versatile Callum MACKENZIE into the flanker slot.

This had an immediate effect, when the ball was won ‘against the head’ in midfield and scrum half Andrew SMITH broke down the short side. The ball was passed to Chris PEACE who drew the defence and caressed a sublime ball to his skipper Cameron MITCHELL, who glided through to score (24 – 0), again Gavin PAINTER converting (26 – 0).

Shortly afterwards, Shaun McCARTNEY was sent over the whitewash, after good inter-passing between flanker Rory DUFF and prop Ralph APPLEBY allowed the winger to show his pace to the line (31 – 0). Replacment Tom HODGSON was successful with the conversion (33 – 0).

The breakdown area had previously become a battleground and after a flare up between both sides, home scrum half Andrew SMITH was sent to the sin bin, as the final quarter of the game was left to play.

Centre Chris PEACE was next to add his name to the list of try scorers, when gliding through a now flagging defence for the score (38 – 0). A reckless tackle after the try on Chris PEACE, also sent the visiting No.8 to the sin bin, to even up the numbers. This again sparked some altercations between players, but it quickly subsided. Tom HODGSON patiently waited and again converted the try (40 -0).

As both team emptied their benches, Luctonians were now there for the finishing and a further two converted tries completed the victory for DMPRFC. The first from winger Chris McTURK and the second from skipper Cameron MITCHELL who complete his brace. Both were converted by Tom HODGSON (54 – 0).