DMP U16's V Northern U16's

Darlington Mowden Park U16’s hosted Northern RFC at the Northern Echo Arena and were privileged to play their first game of the season within the Stadium on the hallowed 1st teams turf. This is the first time that Northern had visited the arena and thanks go to Danny Brown for authorising the use of the pitch and the facility. Anticipation for this game was high following their previous meeting last season, in which Northern won by a narrow margin, however, as it was the first game of the season and with both teams missing key players, it meant the two teams were fielding only 15 players each.

As the referee blew the whistle to start the game, the simultaneous rumble of ‘Yes it’s started’ from both team’s parents soon echoed around the ground signalling the rugby season had started. The arena was fortunate not to have had a roof on, as the deafening sounds from all the parents would have surely ripped it straight off.

As Northern kicked off to DMP, they were quick to chase the ball and put pressure on DMP from outset, however, DMP stood strong and showed Northern that they would have a game on their hands. Northern continued with the pressure, forcing DMP to make a handling error, resulting in Northern winning a scrum between the DMP 10m - 22m lines. This provided the DMP ‘Wolf Pack’, the opportunity to show Northern that they were up for the challenge and as the ball was thrown in, DMP were soon forcing Northern backwards to their own try line (well to the 1.5m that the regulations allow them to push).

DMP continued to hold Northern, however, due to being rusty from the close season, Northern were able to capitalise and soon scored a try in the corner. Following the restart, DMP were soon eager to retrieve the ball back and chased down the ball like a pack of Cheetahs, with Liam Slater, the tighthead prop leading from the front. His dominance in this chase down soon rattled the unlucky Northern player who was brave enough to catch the ball. Later this Northern player would soon regret his bravery catching the ball as Liam, hit him with enough force to knock him back to the U15’s age category.

With this being the first game of the season, the contested lineout that everyone had been training for soon reared its head and with the referee allowing bit of slack, it gave both teams the opportunity to contest the ball. Both team’s coach’s soon realised that this discipline required some dark arts magic to master and was a work in progress. With DMP pressing into the Northern half, a penalty approximately 37m out near the far touch line was awarded to the home by the referee, which was successfully kicked between the posts giving the home team some well-deserved points.

From the restart, Northern soon pressed again deep into the DMP half and were subsequently awarded with a number of further points. This seemed to spur on DMP to take the game to Northern and following some lovely forward work to secure the ball near the centre of Northern’s 22m line, it allowed a wonderful long range pass to be thrown to George who at speed dominated the Northern winger and fullback to successfully score a try in the corner. As the first half continued and with DMP pressing Northern’s defence, a cross field kick to the far right corner saw a scrappy fight ensue and with Tom Jowett, contesting for the ball, a further try soon followed as he reached for the line.

Following a quick team talk at half time, DMP soon returned to the field somewhat charged, focussed and determined, ready to try and claw back the points and hopefully secure the win, however, credit must go to Northern who matched DMP with their efforts and determination and were ultimately rewarded with a number of points. The second half was a could have been half for DMP. They continued to press Northern at every opportunity creating chance after chance after chance, yet a number small but critical handling errors allowed the Northern players to jackal the ball with precision and clear their lines. This constant clearing of their lines, soon put Louis R-Hodge and Little Will under intense pressure, yet they both stood their ground and bought enough time for the rest of the DMP players to get back to provide support. Sadly, with players trying to adjust to the extra playing time and with the sun shining down, players on both sides began suffering from fatigue where handling errors soon became the norm.

Finally, as the referee blew the whistle signalling the game had concluded, Northern may have secured the win, but the efforts, determination, courage and conviction of the DMP team had earned them the respect of all Northern players, staff, parents and even from members of the first team, who having heard the parents sonic boom at the start of the game, rushed to see where all the action was happening.

A reliable source who wishes to remain nameless, confirmed that the members of the first team watching in the stands were making notes and videoing the efforts of the DMP U16 team for inclusion into their own training and game regime.

This game sets up a wonderful return leg which sees DMP travel to Northern RFC in a couple of months’ time. Thank you to Northern RFC for travelling down to the arena and providing a well fought and highly contested game of rugby against DMP. We hope you enjoyed the experience of playing in the arena and thankyou to Danny Brown and all the staff that made this happen

Well done to all the DMP players for showing teamwork, spirit and heart for never giving up in the face of adversity. You are all a credit to each other, your parents and your coach’s. Well done to Jacob Nicholson on putting on the DMP shirt for the first time having recently joined the team, hope you enjoyed your first match. A special mention must go to the following players and staff for all their efforts today:

Ben Coops
Tomos Nicholson
Liam Slater
Brad King
Rob Hardy (C)
Thomas O’Hara
Tom Jowett
Jacob Nicholson
Charles Willans
Callum Piert
Will Shields-Porterfield
Conor Martin
Adam Brown
George Robinson
Louis Rogulja-Hodge
Dean Slater
Ewan Rankin