DMPRFC headed South on Saturday morning leaving behind snow and freezing temperatures on their journey to the Paton Field HQ of Caldy RFC. This was soon replaced by rain, rain and more rain all the way to Telegraph Road, where it continued, with some breaks in between.

Unfortunately, the pitch, although definitely playable, was very heavy in places and at first sight, appearing not at all condusive to any form of running rugby.

What followed was a highly entertaining encounter between two teams committed to winning the game, for very different reasons. For the hosts to continue a rich vein of home form and consolidation in the highest league ever attained at the club. For the visitors, an opportunity to keep on the shirt tails of runaway leaders Coventry RFC.

The game was a credit to both sides, who despite the conditions, gave their all in the process, entertaining the decent home crowd in attendance, ( buoyed by a 40-strong DMPRFC contingent who had travelled in Bus No. 2)

Before the journey had been run out of the legs of the visitors, Caldy attacked from the start, taking the game to their higher league placed opponents from the North East and establishing 'base camp' on DMPRFC's 22-metre line. So constant was the pressure, that DMPRFC were forced to defend stoically, but also concede a string of penalties in an effort to stem the tide.

In their haste to record a try, Caldy rejected several clear shots at goal, favouring the catch and drive route for points. However, these opportunities were thwarted by a some hard hitting defence and wrong options from the hosts. The culmination of this was that home full back was summoned to the front line, slotting an easy penalty to deservedly put the home side ahead as the first quarter elapsed (3 - 0).

Despite the home side having a dominant front five, DMPRFC's back row had the edge on their counterparts, hitting hard in defence and making inroads into home territory with some excellent carries.

DMPRFC showed glimpses of the potential of their backline and some intelligent play by visiting fly half Brett CONNON, saw him pierce the home defence and in utilising colleagues in support as options, held on himself, sprinting to the line for the score under the posts. (3 - 5) Warren SEALS making no mistake with the extras. (3 - 7)

The score remained at that until the break for oranges, with two tired sets of players enjoying a welcome rest.

Upon the restart, Caldy took the lead almost immediately as DMPRFC failed to secure the restart and after a couple a forays from the forwards, DMPRFC's defence were left short and home winger Nick Royle crossed the whitewash almost unopposed, to put Caldy in front by the narrowest of margins. (8 - 7)

Some tidy handling by both sides followed despite the conditions, however, neither side were able to break through stern and determined defences.

Home try scorer Nick Royle was sin-binned with fifteen minutes remaining, when on the attack, he chipped and chased over his opposite number. Feeling aggrieved with some interference when the attack fizzled out, his remarks to the official were deemed to be worthy of a yellow card and he duly trudged off to 'the cooler'.

However, DMPRFC were unable to capitalise on their numerical advantage and that coupled with some committed Caldy defence, meant that on Royle's return with five minutes remaining, the home side retained their slender lead.

DMPRFC had tried to penetrate the home defence in the meantime, but with nothing to show for their endeavours, things were looking bleak.

However, a combination of naivety from their hosts and a never say die' DMPRFC attitude, the remainer of the game was spent on the Caldy 22-metre line, as the home side decided that they would make this their last stand and tried to run down the lock with a series of close quarter pick and drives, keeping in tight in the forwards, when a booming kick may have been the right course of action in the circumstances.

As the clock kicked down, either side could have been penalised at the contact and breakdown areas, but it was Caldy who ultimately conceded, to their teams obvious frustration and to their supporters utter disappointment.

Conversely to DMPRFC a last gasp opportunity to steal the game with the last kick, which centre Warren SEALS calmly and coolly slotted with aplomb, to the delight of his fellow players and their army of visiting supporters. (8 - 10)

On the day, a cruel outcome for a Caldy side who perhaps deserved better, but as in the past DMPRFC have found to their cost in similar situations, some split second decisions can prove costly and this was perhaps an example.

Having said that, Caldy RFC are a very good side, doing well playing at their highest ever level and a decent bet to still be playing National League One rugby in the 2018/19 season.

NEXT GAME - v Old Albanian RFC, Northern Echo Arena, 2pm kick off, 27 January 2018.

Teams/Statistics

CALDY RFC
Roberts, Royle, Jones, Banks, Hibberd, Hayes, Jones, Parker (Whittaker, 34), Stagg (Hearn, 50), Salisbury, Collister (Cross, 59), Sanders, Crowe, Davidson, Dickinson.

Replacements: Dixon, Doyle (both not used)

Scoring:
Tries: Royle (43)
Conversions: None
Penalties: Roberts (10)
Drop Goals: None
Yellow cards: Nick Royle (65)
Caldy RFC Player of the Game - Lloyd Hayes (10)

DMPRFC
Connon G (Blakeney-Edwards, 40), McCartney (Asher-Wood, 69), Frankland, Seals, Mackenzie, Connon B, Dudman, Fearn (Barron, 57), Wood, Appleby, Brady (Preston-Routledge, 72), Craggs, Fisher, Hodgson, Vaioleti (Duff, 63).

Replacements: All used.

Scoring:
Tries: Connon B (19)
Conversions: Seals (20)
Penalties: Seals (79)
Drop Goals: None
Yellow cards: None
DMPRFC Player of the Game - Ollie HODGSON (7)

Attendance: 254
Referee: Mr Matt Turvey