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DMPRFC  0  v  COVENTRY RFC  42

DMPRFC 0 v COVENTRY RFC 42

Tom Bulmer24 Feb 2018 - 15:40
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Mowden’s unbeaten run comes to an end against the league leaders. (Match report attached)

In acknowledging the superb Coventry RFC performance at the Northern Echo Arena as probably the best DMPRFC have witnessed in their short history in National League One, it is best to firstly dispense with the 'negative' side of yesterday's game prior, which is absolutely no reflection on the visitors.

The Coventry tally contained at least 3 tries that included obvious forward passes in their build up.

That's as much as can be said really without it sounding too much like sour grapes and now that this observation is over and done with, back to Coventry's performance, which, other than the score line, would not have been any different had those tries been chalked off, as the visitors won at a canter.

Coventry RFC thoroughly deserved their emphatic victory and outplayed DMPRFC in every department, schooling their hosts with effective finishing, power and pace.

Obviously, with this game being eagerly anticipated and in full view of the biggest home crowd of the season (including a sizeable contribution from the Coventry RFC faithful), DMPRFC plainly failed to deliver the goods on the day and the visitors capitalised accordingly.

Uncharacteristically, being 'nilled' on their own patch after an unbeaten progress up until then, was bitterly disappointing for the 'MowdenFamily' in attendance, who prior to the game were full of anticipation. However, the playing squad and coaches were equally as disappointed and a lot of dejected faces post match highlighted that fact.

But credit where it's due, 'hats off' to the league leaders, a great display, which Coventry RFC Director of Rugby Nick Walsh described as their best to date.

It would have been a spectacle to see if both sides had played at their best, but it wasn't to be on the day and Coventry RFC underlined their credentials as 'Champions' in waiting.

It looked as if DMPRFC were the visiting side with a bus journey in their legs as Coventry stormed into an attack within the first minute, culminating in DMPRFC old boy lock Tom Jubb crashing between the posts for the first score of the game before DMPRFC had drawn breath. In terms of the effect this had on the game, the opening score stunned the home players and the home crowd, which was exactly how the visitors had planned it. (5 - 0). The conversion was easy for the league's top scorer, Will Maisey (0 - 7)

The response from DMPRFC was immediate and forceful. For the next ten minutes DMPRFC pummelled the visitors line and only some great defence kept them out. On several occasions Coventry were penalised, but DMPRFC spurned the kicks in an effort to respond in kind with a try.

However, the hosts were stunned, when against the run of play, Coventry broke out of their own half, with full back James Stokes stretching out for the score in the corner, despite the best efforts of the retreating home defence. (0 - 12). Maisey assuredly added the extras from the touchline (0 - 14)

Maisey added to the home side's woes by adding two penalties prior to oranges, as DMPRFC struggled to contain the visitors in order to attempt any meaningful attacks of their own.

DMPRFC had been in similar situations before, but rarely on home turf, so there was still a chance, as Coventry had looked capable of conceding with concerted pressure on their line, as had been evidenced previously.

But it was not to be after the interval, as an early Coventry try via centre Heath Stevens (0 - 25), converted by Maisey (0 - 27) wiped out any thoughts of a comeback, as Coventry sensed try scoring opportunities, which proceeded to come their way with regularity.

Three further unconverted tries, two for winger Maxwell Trimble and another from Jubb were added without reply as Coventry RFC dominated the rest of proceedings, despite the emptying of DMPRFC's bench who made some impact, but all too little, too late.

For the record:

DMPRFC
Radwan, McCartney (Franland 50), Law, Seals, Mackenzie, Connon, Dudman, Brocklebank, Wood, Appleby (Payne 47), Brady (Preston-Routledge 57), Craggs (Vaioleti 45), Fisher Uzokwe 45), Heaton Hodgson.

Tries: None
Conversions: None
Penalties: None
Drop Goals: None

COVENTRY RFC

Stokes, Matoto (Tuitupou 54), Grove, Stevens (Matoto 70), Trimble, Maisey, White (Brazier 54), Brown (Jeannot 30), Nilsen (Tolmie 45) Boulton (Brown 52), Dacres, Jubb, Makaafi (Oram 45), Preece (Nilsen 54), Daynes.

Tries: Jubb (2, 59), Stokes (15), Stevens (44), Trimble (46, 57)
Conversions: Maisey (3, 15, 46)
Penalties: Maisey (24, 40)
Drop Goals: None

Attendance: 1879
Man of the Match: Adam Brocklebank (DMPRFC)
Referee: Mr Neil Chivers

Half-time: 0 - 20
Full-time: 0 - 42

NEXT WEEKEND: Esher RFC (home)

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