U16s - Counted out of the Cup

Unfortunately the ever picturesque home of our hosts and warm welcome by their catering queens didn't quite transcend the journey to the pitch as the Durham team put the boys in blue and white to the sword in this first round tie of the County Cup. But the blow was softened by the boys giving their all and coping with an ever evolving line up due to a combination of absent players and on-field injuries.

The first half was played out in similar fashion as previous encounters against well drilled opposition with the opening exchanges played deep in DMP territory. However, the boys were defending well and there was some gutsy tackling on show which meant that the visitors had to move the ball around to find holes in defence and it took virtually the first quarter before the hosts made the first score. Unfortunately the boys could not withstand the pressure and the extra guile shown by their opponents and with a further five minutes on the clock the second try was registered. The remainder of the half was played out in a similar vein with the addition of two further tries until in the dying minutes and the boys elected to take a penalty kick at goal, Ross B slotting over nicely for the three points. Score at half time 24 - 3

The pack was shuffled throughout the game, even though the subs bench was a little sparse through injury, which gave the opportunity of game time to all of the boys. The blue and whites of DMP appeared to gain momentum in the second half and started to pass the ball around as they have done in recent weeks, and from one of these passages of open play a repeat of one of the Wensleydale tries, the ball being expertly moved along the backs line until it found James S who finished off the move for the five point score. The opening period of the second half was to be the best for the boys, galvanised by the points they made more progress in the rucks and were winning more ball which allowed backs and forwards alike to make some good ground over the gain line. There were opportunities for another try for our boys but some resolute defence from the visitors managed to prevent further points being added. The effort of large parts of defensive play and their endeavours in the early part of the half appeared to take its toll and from the mid-point of the half the hosts took control. The second half scoreline was to end 31 - 5.

A good effort from the boys and some impressive displays from old players in new positions.

Motm - Chris P...a tackling machine