In a performance which belied the previous league status of hosts Loughborough Students RFC, a thoroughly deserved result got their season going at last with their first win of the campaign.

Although extremely disappointed at the away loss, DMPRFC were second best on the day and perhaps the home team were ‘up for it’ more than the opposition from the first whistle.

Some poor tackling from the visitors wide out and the sheer pace of the students contributed to a second consecutive loss for DMPRFC, who missed the likes of first choice players Chris GEORGIOU (Cyprus), Ignis DARKINTIS (Lithuania) and Anthony Harvey (Malta), all on International duty on the day.

In the first half, it appeared to be a case of ‘whatever you can do we can do also’ as both teams seemed to match each other score for score in the first 40 minutes.

Home No. 8 began proceedings with a try on the back of a catch and drive lineout effort (5 – 0), converted by talented No. 15 Charlie Reed (7 – 0).

DMPRFC responded with a try by scrum half Matt DUDMAN, converted by Warren SEALS to level matters. (7 – 7)

Full back Reed’s pace allowed him to register with Loughborough’s second try, (12 – 7), regaining his breath to slot the conversion. (14 – 7)

Not to be outdone, DMPRFC retorted with another effort from DUDMAN (14 – 12), converted by SEALS (14 – 14).

The pattern altered somewhat doe the next try, when SEALS (14 – 19) scored for the visitors, to put them ahead for the first and unfortunately the last time in the game. SEALS was unable to register the conversion.

Loughborough scored two tries in the last 10 minutes of the first half, both scored by their locks, with first Cameron Jordan, (19 – 19), followed by his compatriot Thebord Flament touching down next (24 – 19), with this time Reed successful with the afters (26 – 19)on the stroke of oranges.

Loughborough won the second 40 minutes by 2 tries to one effort from DMPRFC to underline their superiority.

On resumption of play when the next points were crucial, DMPRFC were buoyed by prop Alfie BARRON, who struck first, (26 – 24), but with the conversion missed by SEALS, this score was the closest the visitors would get, as first home winger Beckett and then fellow wing Brown registered tries (36 – 24).

SEALS managed a penalty (36 – 27) to narrow, but the icing on the cake for the hosts, was the last word from Reed, who fittingly struck a penalty, (39 – 27) to underline their first win, which brought jubilation for their squad and supporters in attendance.

LOUGHBOROUGH STUDENTS SQUAD
15. Charlie Reed, 14. William Brown, 13. Alexander Glashen, 12. Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas, 11. Austin Beckitt, 10. Mark Dixon, 9. Callum Watson, 1. Ben Christie, 2. Harrison King, 3. Andrew Boye, 4. Cameron Jordan, 5. Thebord Flament, 6. Taylor Gough, 7. Victor Keunen, 8. Henri Lavin.

Replacements:
16. Jamie Cox, 17. Samuel Grahamslaw, 18. Maximillian Hill, 19. James David, 20. William Atfield.

SCORING:
Try: Lavin (4), Reed (16), Glashan (31), Jordan (39), Beckett (49), Brown (55)
Conversion: Reed (4, 16, 40)
Penalty: Reed (70)
Drop Goal: None

DMPRFC SQUAD
15. Brandon ASHER-WOOD, 14. Joshua HALL, 13. Callum MACKENZIE, 12. Garry LAW, 11. Oliver WALKER, 10. Warren SEALS, 9. Matt DUDMAN, 1. Alfie BARRON, 2. Jamie BLAMIRE, 3. Ralph APPLEBY, 4. Jacob BRADY, 5. Talite VAIOLETI, 6. Joe DUFFY, 7. George STOKES, 8. Joe CRAGGS.

Replacemenets:
16. Jordan POOLE, 17. Charley PURKISS-MCENDOO, 18. Shaun McCARTNEY, 19. Callum SMITH, 20.
Ruiridh DAWSON.

SCORING:
Try: DUDMAN (13, 19), SEALS (42), BARRON (48)
Conversion: SEALS (14, 20)
Penalty: SEALS (48)
Drop Goal: None

HALF-TIME
26 v 19
FULL-TIME
39 v 27
ATTENDANCE
440
REFEREE
Nick WOOD

NEXT WEEK
Chinner RFC (H)