U16s - Izzy Wizzy lets beat Guisy

Spring had definitely sprung across the Tees Valley and into North Yorkshire, the sun was shining and the mercury had ascended a centimetre or so as the boys from DMP took to the field away to Guisborough. The reverse fixture at the beginning of December had seen the boys put on one of their least impressive displays of the season so it was a good opportunity to set the record straight. Historically games between the teams have usually been close and this game was to be no different.

A Guisborough kick off was the signal for the home team to set up camp in the visitors half and it was certainly backs to the wall stuff for the boys as they had to soak up the pressure. Unfortunately the defence was breached and the home team crossed the whitewash for the five points. However, from the restart the game took a more positive turn for the boys in blue and white hoops and across the park the players were certainly putting in a shift and it was fully deserved when Ross Boddy took a return pass from James Souter to go over for the five. A sweetly struck conversion from Ross added the two. The game and subsequently scoreline remained tight for the remainder of the half, our boys two to the good at oranges.

The second half was a similarly tight affair, apart from the line out where the gap was more like a dual carriageway, with both teams giving it their all in every position. The deadlock was broken when our boys were just building an attack and one of the Guisborough boys made a great interception and ran half the length of the field to score. This meant that Guisborough were back on top, they had also added the conversion. But not to be outdone the visitors did not drop their heads and were straight back at it from the restart and within a matter of a few minutes Ross Boddy was evading challenges and crossing the line once again. He didn't get the chance to add the conversion as the ref yellow carded him, to a lot of the supporters it wasn't obvious as to why, in the same way the two Guisborough visits to the bin were also not crystal clear. Nevertheless, DMP back level......but not for long as once again a few minutes later the home team took advantage of their extra man and with multiple pick and drives in the corner they eventually went over. 19 - 12 Guisborough. In previous fixtures this would probably have meant defeat for the boys, but it is no surprise that their recent good form has also brought a new found confidence and within a few minutes the boys had the scoreboard ticking over once again, Josh Brown utilising his powerful physique to break a couple of tackles and cross for a try. The game was definitely back on and in fairness to both teams could have gone either way but it was bragging rights to DMP as with the clock ticking down Ross Boddy made an arcing run and crossed in the corner for his hat-trick and victory for the visitors. Final whislte and 22 - 19 tho the boys from Mowden Park.

Congratulations to the players, supporters and coaches of Guisborough for their part in an enthralling game.

Motm - Dom..he's been knocking on the door for weeks
Penny - Harry...when is a sub not a sub