DMPRFC extended their 100% home record at The Northern Echo Arena, with a convincing 42 - 7 win against Birmingham Moseley RFC, scoring six tries to one in the process, thanks to a comprehensive second half display.

Having said all that, at half time, things were very different, as both sides had competed equally for the first half spoils. As the players made their way to the changing rooms at oranges. the game had been more of an attritional affair, with defences tested to the limit.

Birminham Moseley RFC have some solid citizens in their forward pack, with a decent scrum and with both locks standing at 6' 10'' and 6' 8'' respectively, an effective lineout. DMPRFC competed well at both facets of the game, with mixed success throughout the game.

An early injury to visiting winger Sam Pointon after only 7 minutes heralded a re-shuffle in the Birmingham Moseley backline, with the introduction of replacement Andy Fluker much earlier than expected.

It was DMPRFC who registered first on the scoreboard, with a try for 'birthday boy' centre Garry LAW after an attacking lineout brought rewards when subsequently an opening was carved in the visitors defence by fellow centre Warren SEALS,who found LAW in support for the try. (5 - 0) SEALS converting. (7 - 0)

Within five minutes, the visitors were level, when from a good catch and drive linout, their forwards rumbled over the line, with big South African lock Snyman touching down. (7 -
5) Fly half Sam Hollingsworth converting. (7 - 7)

A further five minutes elapsed when a penalty was awarded on the half way line when fullback Grant CONNON was tackled in the air, SEALS kicking to the corner. After an initial drive by the home pack, SEALS again made the inroads into the heart of the Birmingham Moseley defence, offloading to Grant CONNON, who hit the gap for the score. (12 - 7) SEALS again converting. (14 - 7)

Birmingham Moseley made two further tactical changes prior to the break, whilst the home side remained unchanged.

Just before the interval, Moseley were awarded a penalty when a crunching tackle from home winger Callum MACKENZIE was adjudged by the attending official to have been awarded that sanction. Birmingham Moseley kicked to the corner, however the attack was snuffed out and the hosts remained in front by a score at the break.

It was all one way traffic on resumption of play, as Birmingham Moseley's forwards tired and their hosts continuing with pace and power, DMPRFC scoring a further four tries and dominating the second forty minutes, in a reversal of the equal first half.

Before ten minutes of the second half had elapsed, SEALS again broke through the visitors defence, again handing on to fellow centre LAW for his second try of the game. (19 - 7) SEALS converting assuredly. (21 - 7)

Lack of any meaningful possession hampered the visitors, however they did manage to stem the tide for the next quarter, but any attacks were rejected by some good home defence and incisive tackling scuppering any chance of a score for Birmingham Moseley.

Inevitably due to the amount of possession obtained by the home side as the game opened up, Brett CONNON scored his second try and DMPRFC's try bonus point at this stage (26 - 7), again SEALS converting. (28 - 7)

This was followed soon after by DMPRFC winger MACKENZIE who forced his way over in the corner, using his power and pace to evade the visitors defence. (33 - 7) An excellent conversion, this time by LAW extended DMPRFC's lead (35 - 7), as changes were effected by both sides.

As the clocked ticked down and not to be outdone by his older brother Grant, DMPRFC fly half Brett CONNON took a quick tap and dotted down for his second try of the afternoon. (40 7) LAW again converting with the last kick of the game. (42 - 7)

With the result, DMPRFC closed the gap with Coventry RFC, who started 2018 with a 61 - 29 defeat at the hands of Blackheath RFC.

However, a large deficit remains and as DMPRFC's thoughts now focus on the away trip to Caldy RFC next weekend, no thoughts of anything else, as although Caldy RFC 's game against Cambridge RFC was cancelled, there are a force to be reckoned with on their own patch.

DMPRFC
Connon G, McCartney, Law, Seals, Mackenzie, Connon B, Dudman, Brocklebank, Wood, Appleby, Brady, Vaioleti, Fisher, Heaton, Hodgson.
Reps – Barron, Craggs, Duff, Frankland, Dawson.

Scoring
Tries – Law (22, 47), Connon G (70), Mackenzie (77), Connon B (80)
Conversions – Seals (23, 33, 48, 71), Law (78, 80)
Penalties – Nil
Drop Goals – Nil.

Birmingham Moseley RFC
Penn, Pointon, Allsopp, Pointon, Leathem, Hollingsworth, Lewis, Fidler, Roach, Tideswell, Bean, Snyman, Lawrence, Cowen, Moore.
Reps – Boyce, Wrafter, Brightwell, Fluker, Tyack.

Scoring
Tries – Snyman (28)
Conversions – Hollingsworth (29)
Penalties – Nil
Drop Goals – Nil.

Yellow cards
Roach (Birmingham Moseley RFC)- Technical Offence (70).
Boyce (Birmingham Moseley RFC) – Technical Offence (80).

Referee – Mr Neil Chivers
Attendance – 943
Man of the Man – Garry Law (DMPRFC)

A reminder of Saturday’s lucky raffle winners:

1st Prize - Green 66-70 - 6 Month Membership @Xercise4Less Darlington!
2nd Prize - Green 256-260 - Sports Massage with Arena Physio & Rehab!

Congratulations to both our winners! #MowdenFamily