DMPRFC 17 v SEDGLEY PARK RFC 13

In fact it was the visitors who started the more purposeful, attacking from the off, with their big forwards battering away at the home pack, in an immediate attempt to exert their authority.

Some solid defence was required to keep them at bay and this was provided as DMPRFC weathered the initial storm with some big defensive hits and gradually introduced themselves into the game.

DMPRFC were awarded an attacking scrum just outside the visitor’s 22 metre line and when the ball was shipped out, fly half Max CONNON made an incisive break, splitting the Sedgley defence. When the last man lined him up, he offloaded to the supporting home skipper Cameron MITCHELL, who sprinted in under the posts for the first try (5 – 0). Max CONNON made no mistake with the easy conversion (7 – 0).

The battle for ascendency up front was raging all game, with the home forwards more successfully utilising the rolling maul, whilst the scrums and lineout’s were a more even affair.

Sedgley Tigers showed plenty of enterprise behind the scrum and looked dangerous on the break.

On one such foray, only a brilliant defensive tackle from home flanker Jack ALLCOCK, stopped a certain try, but just as this seemed to have stifled the attack, the ball was taken into contact through several phases, before the visiting winger received the ball wide out and raced under the posts for the try (7 – 0). Again the conversion was easy, this time for the Sedgley fly half who made no mistake (7 – 7).

Sedgley continued to press and when DMPRFC transgressed at the ruck, their fly half put them in front with the resulting penalty (7 – 10).

The visitors were reduced in numbers, when after a high tackle, DMPRFC scrum half Andrew SMITH took a quick tap only to be hauled down within 10 metres by the Sedgley openside flanker, who promptly received his marching orders, consigned to the sin bin for his efforts.

Although DMPRFC tried to make the extra man count, Sedgley manfully defended well and repelled the onslaught, leaving DMPRFC with only a Max CONNON penalty to show for the advantage (10 – 10).

Sedgley Tigers had the last word before oranges, as DMPRFC were adjudged offside in midfield, allowing their kicker to put them in front at the interval (10 – 13).

On resumption of play, the Sedgley backs were on the lookout for space, but the sound defence from the DMPRFC counterparts thwarted most incursions into dangerous territory and as the arm wrestle for forward dominance continued, a twenty minute stop/start stalemate ensued.

Replacements were introduced early by DMPRFC and late by Sedgley Tigers, both in attempts to add the required spark that was required to win the game.

This tactic worked better for the home side, as a 20 metre rolling maul by DMPRFC forwards, looked to have provided dividends, until it was brought down illegally just prior to the line. However, as the official played advantage and the play progressed, replacement scrum half Zylon McGAFFIN was on hand to burrow his way over for the first score of the second half (15 – 13). Max CONNON continued with his success, slotting the tricky conversion (17 – 13). The visiting hooker was sent to the sin bin for the initial offence.

With the numbers advantage, DMPRFC began to turn the screw and for the final quarter and spent most of it on the attack, in an attempt to push on for the try bonus point.

However, the spirit of Sedgley Tigers was not broken and they managed to defend stoically to the end, acquiring the losing bonus point, whilst DMPRFC had to be content with the four points for the win, which they deserved.

Amongst those returning from injury, prop Henry SANDYS put in a decent shift at the ‘coalface’, as well as some bullocking runs. Also full back Henry ROBINSON showed prominently after going on as a replacement, after a long lay-off.