‘Snatching defeat from the Jaws of Victory’ is a term often used in all manner of sports and yesterday this was certainly applicable to DMPRFC’s second half home performance against newly promoted Sale FC.

To squander a winning position from an interval score of 22 – 7 and then for that to be improved upon after oranges to 29 – 10, to then losing the game, was nothing less than criminal.

The first half had everything the team and the home crowd had expected, including three tries, one already a contender for ‘try of the season’ from wing Brandon ASHER-WOOD and some fine kicks from fly half Warren SEALS.

There were no recorded games between the two teams and the much anticipated visit of Sale FC RFC brought in a healthy crowd, boosted by the Sale faithful.

Sale FC RFC presented a mixture of youth and experience, who have been gelling together over recent seasons into a National League One outfit, capable of holding their own at Level 3. They have a ‘bigger than most’ pack of forwards and backs who if you let them will stifle opposition, as well as penetrate the best defences.

After the early loss of visiting flanker Adam Aigbokhae with a leg injury, Sale’s cause became all the more difficult when lock Stone Priestly-Nangle (ex-DMPRFC) was sin-binned for foul play, having brought down No. 8 Joe CRAGGS whilst in the air at a defensive lineout.

DMPRFC took immediate action, punishing the loss in Sale FC’s forward numbers, with a series or 5-metre scrums, which ultimately led to a snipe over the line from home scrum half Matt DUDMAN for the opening try of the game, (5 – 0) fly half Warren SEALS converting. (7 – 0)

Both teams tested out their respective defences and a stalemate ensued with some aimless kicking out of each defensive line, which invariably ended up straight down the opposition’s throat, then the return kick ending deeper than the original.

Ex-Tongan International centre John Leota, these days used by Sale FC RFC as a runaway locomotive, scored a typical bullocking try (7 – 5), converted by the silky, smooth visiting fly half Christopher Johnston, (7 – 7) who’s casual assured play would prove vital later in the game.

Arguably the best try of the game came within 60 seconds of that conversion, bringing the house down from a noise perspective, as Brandon ASHER-WOOD collected the ball on half way, travelling like a bullet on a fine attacking line and with surgical precision dissected the Sale defence and rounding the visiting full back to score a fine individual try, (12 – 7), the conversion missed by SEALS and although later to become significant, not at this stage.

SEALS kicked a penalty for the home side (15 – 7), until more pressure was exerted on the visitors line with just before oranges, veteran lock Talite VAIOLETI picking up the ball in a ruck and dotting down under the posts, (19 – 7) and easily converted by SEALS (22 – 7), with the whistle heralding the interval.

Sale had their moments in the first 40 minutes, however, after the Leota try, the home defence held out, repelling several 5-metre pick up and drive attempts from some solid Sale citizens.

So at 22 – 7, a decent advantage was held by DMPRFC, with visitors Sale facing an uphill battle.

On resumption of play, an early Sale penalty from Johnston (22 – 10) only closed the gap momentarily, as home lock Joe CRAGGS was last to emerge with the ball after a maul had progressed over the Sale try line (27 – 10), converted from the touchline by SEALS (29 – 10).

New home recruit and hooker Jamie BLAMIRE was prevalent in attack and was to go on to deserve the player of the match accolade from a home perspective.

The differential in points at this stage, historically would have led at that stage to a home win, but by how many would have been the only question.

Visitors Sale FC RFC had other ideas and began the fight back at this stage, which would ultimately rival the feats of Lazarus way back when.

A close quarter penalty in favour of the hosts was tapped quickly and was stifled by a firm Sale defence, ending in no points scored. Conversely had it been kicked, Sale would have needed more than three converted scores to win the game. Although the tap penalty, when successful, is always the right thing to do, but it wasn’t to be on this day.

Sale profited from uncharacteristic but awful mistakes and fumbles from the home side, added to with some bizarre refereeing decisions leading to numerous penalties, which is usually the case when things go awry.

Sale had slowed the game down at lineout and scrummage and although the referee did warn them on occasions, he took no action, which led to home and crowd frustration and a distinct advantage to Sale. This ‘old-manning’ of the opposition and the referee, a tactic of the past, certainly brought rewards for the visitors on the day.

So penalties were frequent and the juggernaut visiting pack invariably were advanced by the kick to the corner and the catch and drive scores although predictable, became somehow inevitable.

Leading the charge for Sale was skipper and No. 8 Andrew Hughes who bullocked over for 2 tries, both converted by Johnston (29 – 24), with even then, the writing being on the wall, as was the dismal transformation.

It was no surprise when replacement Nicholas Dolly scored Sale’s fourth and bonus point try (29 – 29), which was brilliantly converted by the cool, calm and collected Johnston for the win (29 – 31).

Many congratulations for the win to Sale FC RFC, who certainly deserved their win, but DMPRFC must learn to play the 80 minutes and accept that all games can’t be won in the last minute every week.

TEAM:
DMPRFC
15. Christian Georgiou, 14. Brandon Asher-Wood, 13. Garry Law, 12. Callum Mackenzie, 11. Oliver Walker, 10. Warren Seals, 9. Matthew Dudman, 1. Alfie Barron, 2. Jamie Blamire, 3. Jack Payne, 4. Talite Vaioleti, 5. Jkae Brady, 6. Joe Duffy, 7. George Stokes, 8. Joseph Craggs.

Replacements: 16. Ralph Appleby, 17. Ignas Darkintis, 18. Jordan Poole, 19. Joshua Hall, 20. Ruaridh Dawson.

Scoring:
Try: Dudman (10), Asher-Wood (28), Vaioleti (40), Craggs (47)
Conversion: Seals (11, 40, 48)
Penalty: Seals (48)
Drop Goal: None.

TEAM:
SALE FC
15.Jonty Rawcliffe, 14. Christopher Owen, 13. Jack Moorhouse, 12. John Leota, 11. Kieran Dunne, 10. Christopher Johnson, 9. Matthew Bradley, 1. Daniel Birchall, 2. Christian Taylor, 3. Simon Griffiths, 4. William Davies, 5. Stone Priestley-Nangle, 6. Adam Aigbokhae, 7. David Seymour, 8. Andrew Hughes.

Replacements: 16. John Blanchard, 17. Neil Briggs, 18. Nicholas Dolly, 19. Mark Lawrence, 20. Matthew Sturges.

Scoring:
Try: Leota (26), Hughes (51), Hughes (69), Dolly (76)
Conversion: Johnson (27, 51, 69, 76)
Penalty: Johnson (43)
Drop Goal: None
Sin – Bin: Priestley-Nangle (Foul Play)

Referee: Mr Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts
Attendance: 897
Half-Time: 22 – 7
Full Time: 29 – 31.
Player of the Match: Jamie Blamire (DMPRFC)

NEXT WEEK – LOUGHBOROUGH STUDENTS RFC (A)