DMPRFC 52 v LEICESTER LIONS RFC 10

DMPRFC recorded an emphatic home victory over visitors Leicester Lions RFC, scoring eight tries in the process and adding five valuable league points in the process.

However, even in the face of an onslaught from the start, to their credit, Leicester Lions RFC never gave up the fight and replied with two tries of their own via forward pick and drives.

The home side were up for the game from the start and recorded a try after only four minutes from No. 8 Guy van den DRIES, forcing his way over after a series of drives (5 - 0). Max CONNON was successful with the conversion from wide out (7 - 0).

It wasn't long before mercurial winger Chris McTURK, when after a clever break by skipper and centre Cameron MITCHELL, the former accepted the pass and with more to do, chipped over the defender to gather and glide over the line (12 - 0). Max CONNON added the extras from an almost identical spot out wide (14 - 0).

Leicester Lions RFC, in their first visit to the Northern Echo Arena, were finding it hard to retain any sort of possession and when home hooker Ross DONEGHAN also scored a try, the visitors looked shell-shocked. The hard work in spotting the gap had been done by Max CONNON, who passed to Ross DONEGHAN and with fifteen metres to the line, he made no mistake (19 - 0). Again Max CONNON converted (21 - 0).

The fourth and bonus point try came before twenty minutes had elapsed. A break from full back Henry ROBINSON was accompanied by a deft chip through by him for Chris McTURK, who shipped the ball on to the close supporting lock Chris CAMPBELL who galloped over (26 - 0).

At this point, Leicester Lions could either capitulate or fight back and to their enormous credit they took the latter option and piled on the pressure on the home side, who were forced into defending their line.

After several incursions towards the line though, Leicester Lions were unable to breach the defence and as oranges arrived, the score remained at 26 - 0.

A rejuvenated Leicester Lions emerged after the interval and again, they picked up where they left off, with immediate results, as after a series of pick and drives, this time they were successful, with the visiting hooker burrowing over the line (26 - 5).

DMPRFC again shifted a gear and responded, when a midfield break by flanker Jack ALLCOCK caused havoc in the visiting midfield. He moved the ball out wide to Chris McTURK, who found Henry ROBINSON with a scoring pass (31 - 5). Max CONNON was successful with another difficult touch line conversion (33 - 5).

Almost immediately, DMPRFC were on the attack from the restart and when Max CONNON nipped through a gap, he kicked ahead, only to be pushed in the back before he could re-gather and score, by a desperate defender. However, the official had been in close attendance and awarded the penalty try (38 - 5). Max CONNON regained his composure and slotted the conversion to his try (40 - 5).

DMPRFC were in the groove and hard running centre Callum MACKENZIE was rewarded, when he ignored an overlap, kept running and forced his way into the corner for an individual effort (45 - 5).

Even before Max CONNON had taken the conversion, which incidentally he missed, Callum MACKENZIE was disappearing off down the tunnel, having being informed that his partner had gone into labour with their second child (Madeline Rose born later at 6.11pm (6lb 9oz), mother and daughter doing fine). Congratulations !!!!!!!!!!!!

Leicester Lions, who had toiled without reward, were rewarded five minutes from time with another try, again from a series of pick and drives, when their replacement prop squeezed over for the score (45 - 10).

DMPRFC had the last laugh though, when a sniping break by scrum half Zylon McGAFFIN put in replacement hooker and forwards coach Danny BROWN, who was cut down only 2 metres short of the line. Flanker Ollie HODGSON was in support and on hand to pick up and crash over for the score under the posts (50 - 10). Max CONNON capped a fine performance by kicking the extras (52 - 10), as the official blew for full time.