Entertaining it was not, apart from a five minute 'purple patch' from DMPRFC which stirred the decent crowd in attendance, buoyed by a very vocal visiting contingent from The Wirral.

There is no denying that the visitors deserved their victory, which was built on a solid forward performance, led by Clady's player of the match Harrison CROWE, who was their stand out performer. Not too renowned for their back play, other than their speedster and wing Nick ROYLE, the backs stuck to their task and matched their home counterparts.

It is difficult to mention much on the field entertainment of note in the first half before oranges, save for the solitary penalty kicked by Ben JONES (0 - 3) after DMPRFC had transgressed in a ruck.

Just prior to oranges, DMPRFC were reduced in numbers, when flanker George STOKES was sent to the 'cooler', which extended into the second half.

Both sides tested each other, but no meaningful possession or penetration was achieved, with neither side looking like scoring, apart from a break by home full back Chris McTURK, who was cut down by a superb tackle from ROYLE short of the line.

Of late, a half time roasting or assured words of advice has benefitted DMPRFC, who have gone on to perform much better in the second forty minutes and this was expected.

However, in this game, the home side were slow to respond to whatever was communicated and it was Caldy RFC who started the brighter and added to their slender lead, scoring from a catch and drive lineout, with Tom SANDERS emerging as the scorer. (0 - 8), with Ben JONES converting. (0 - 10)

At this point, Caldy centre Michael BARLOW was yellow carded, spurring the home side into life and after some reshuffling and an introduction of replacements, Mowden had a five minute purple patch.

Firstly, home prop Alfie BARRON bulldozed over from short range, (5 - 10) with the conversion from Garry LAW. (7 - 10) This was followed, almost from the restart, when replacement wing Shaun McCARTNEY powered his way over for the home side’s second try, (12 - 10) again converted by LAW. (14 - 10)

More of the same was expected from the home contingent, who stirred into life, but that was as good as it got for DMPRFC.

In their endeavours to try and push on, the crowd were silenced, when Caldy hit back, with lock Robert O’DONNELL scoring a good try in response (14 - 15), converted by Gavin ROBERTS. (14 - 17)

In the dying minutes, Mowden threatened the visitors line and rejected two chances to level the scores with penalties, instead opting for kicks to the corner, but failing with both attempts at lineout catch and drives, with Caldy defending well.

The final act was an interception by Caldy, allowing speedster Nick ROYLE to comfortably sprint the length of the field to underline an important victory for the visitors and 4 points with which to attempt to extend their stay in National League One.

DMPRFC SQUAD
15. Chris McTURK, 14. Oliver WALKER, 13. Benjamin FRANKLAND, 12. Benjamin STEVENSON (Shaun McCARTNEY, 40), 11. Calum MACKENZIE, 10. Garry LAW, 9. Maia GIBBS, 1. Alfie BARRON, 2. Jordan POOLE, 3. Ralph APPLEBY, 4. David FISHER (Dave FISHER, 48), 5. Joseph CRAGGS (Jake BRADY, 75), 6. George STOKES (George STOKES, 73), 7. Matt HEATON, 8. Ollie HODGSON.
Replacements: Daniel BROWN (Not Used)

SCORING:
Try: BARRON (53), McCARTNEY (55)
Conversion: LAW (54, 55)
Penalty: Nil
Drop Goal: None
Penalty Try: None

Yellow Card: George STOKES (37)
DMPRFC Player of the Game: Alfie BARRON

CALDY RFC SQUAD
15. Lewis BARKER, 14. Nicholas ROYLE, 13. Gavin ROBERTS, 12. Michael BARLOW, 11. Benjamin JONES (Jack BEEVERS, 53), 10. Rhys HAYES, 9. Jake SQUIRREL, 1. John WHITTAKER, 2. Edward STAGG, 4. Robert O’DONNELL, 5. John COLLISTER, 6. Harrison CROWE (Callum RIDGEWAY, 75), 7. Nyle DAVIDSON (David JONES, 67), 8. Josiah DICKINSON.
Replacements: Gregory JONES, Richard GREGORY (Both not used)

SCORING:
Try: SANDERS (43), O’DONNELL (68), ROYLE (80)
Conversion: JONES B (44), ROBERTS (68)
Penalty: JONES B (12)
Drop Goal: None
Penalty Try: None

Yellow Card: Michael BARLOW (48), Edward STAGG (73)
Caldy RFC Player of the Match: Harrison CROWE

Overall Player of the Match: Alfie BARRON (DMPRFC)

Referee: Mr Alexander THOMAS
Attendance: 855

NEXT WEEK - CINDERFORD RFC (A)