Although the score suggests a close encounter, DMPRFC dominated proceedings and whilst not at their best, scored 4 tries via flanker Simon UZOKWE, Ben FRANKLAND, fellow centre and skipper Chris AULD and a fine individual effort from winger Adam RADWAN.

The early rain had presented testing conditions for the players as the game progressed and heralded a catalogue of handling errors for the players, who initially struggled to overcome those difficulties.

Visiting fly half Warren SEALS was first to register on the scoreboard and when the home side were adjudged to be offside 20-metres from their line, SEALS stepped up to put DMPRFC in front after 6 minutes. (0 - 3).

DMPRFC enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the first quarter, but were thwarted from recording any further scoring by a combination of some good home defence and some final pass errors.

It was Hull who registered next against the run of play, when DMPRFC had strayed offside, with flanker O'Donnell levelling the scores with a well taken penalty (3 - 3).

Hull weathered the storm of attacks to go ahead, when some poor midfield defence allowed fly half Chris Bell to glide through (8 - 3) and the resulting O'Donnell conversion took the home side clear (10 - 3) as the interval approached.

DMPRFC regained possession and just prior to the interval, SEALS fashioned a kick from a penalty within 10-metres of the home line. With replacements Darren FEARN and Simon UZOKWE having been introduced, the catch and drive from the resulting lineout saw the Hull pack engage reverse gear, with the DMPRFC pack driving UZOKWE over the line for the visitors first try (10 - 8), with SEALS levelling the scores with the conversion (10 - 10) on the stroke of half time.

On resumption of play, it was more of the same, as DMPRFC took up the challenge, dominating territory and possession, with the home side lacking focus and direction.
When a penalty was awarded to the visitors for offside, the Hull defence never recovered when SEALS hit the upright and in their panic to clear their lines, Hull lost possession, allowing DMPRFC to spin the ball along the line for skipper Chris AULD to find a gap in the home defence for the touchdown (10 - 15).

By this time it was all DMPRFC and it was no surprise when another catch and drive lineout brought rewards for the pack, when this time centre Ben FRANKLAND managed to force the ball down to put DMPRFC further ahead (10 - 20).

The visitors dominance was underlined when flanker Dave FISHER brought an early end to a promising Hull attack with some determined counter-rucking, allowing FRANKLAND to exit DMPRFC's half, moving the ball on to eager winger Adam RADWAN to use his pace and after a series of kicks on though the home defence, won the sprint when the ball reached the line for the score. (10 - 25), SEALS converting (10 - 27).

Some late Hull pressure brought a consolation try from winger Sam Wilson (15 - 27), but the day belonged to DMPRFC who now face Cambridge RFC on Saturday at the Northern Echo Arena.

HULL IONIANS RFC
Minikin, Wilson, Tincknell, Allott, Slingsby, Bell, Issac, Stout, Forth, Bell, Makin, Newman, O'Donnell, Sanderson, Falkingham.
Replacements:
Bradshaw, Thomson, Wigham, Wolstenholme, Lound.

DMPRFC
Connon, Mackenzie, Frankland, Auld, Radwan, Seals, Dudman, Appleby, Wood, Payne, Vaioleti, Craggs, Fisher, Heaton, Hodgson.
Replacements:
Fearn, Uzokwe, Duff, Blakeney-Edwards, McCartney.

Half-time: 10 - 10
Full Time: 10 - 27

Referee: Llyr Apgeraint- Roberts

Attendance: 224.