Middlesbrough RFC U16's V DMPRFC U16's

With another near perfect day apart from a little more wind than we would have liked DMPRC U16's arrived at Acklam Park missing a few of their key players including captain Rob Hardy, Tomas Nicholson and unfortunately Adam Brown.

With this in mind the coaching staff were more than confident that the squad was more than up to the job in hand to take on a very good Middlesbrough team that had beaten us last season in the stadium. While warming up Tom Jowett still didn't look in top shape but was more than up for the fight and looking over towards the big opposition he rallied the troops in his new position of pack leader. With El Capitan missing Ben Cooper took over the mantle and the game kicked off with Mowden receiving.

A strong Middlesbrough team put on early pressure with a very early try but the lads went back at them but couldn't really apply enough pressure to get on the scoreboard. With a tough forward battle DMPRFC did manage to get some ball out to our eager backs but with little or no room to play in, beyond our control this became very frustrating.

The team continued to try and play expansive rugby but it wasn't really happening for us today and with the loss of captain Ben and also George the bench was called upon. Straight on and keen to show us all what we have been missing was Jasper who without a gumshield (100 press ups on Wednesday if he turns up) played on the wing, full back and even flanker but today was really damage limitation.

Middlesbrough really pressurised the Mowden boys and ran in some great tries from all over the pitch and I personally felt we were going to take a proper hiding.

A second half regroup including positive talk from the coaches encouraged the guys to give this difficult task of getting into the game easier. With the lads pushing harder and an unknown area of space to play in for the backs allowed Mowden to link up and apply the pressure we knew we had in us.

With three tries in the second half, two from crazy legs Sam, followed by Louis showed that we were in this game and when the final whistle blew the score ended up 57-21, not the greatest day at the office but it could have been a lot worse if it hadn't have been for the positive attitude of all players on the pitch and the touchline.

A special mention to Liam with some great runs from the restart (we had enough of them!) and an amazing try saving tackle towards the end showed how much he has come on in the first few games of the season and long may it continue. Also in dispatches must be Tom O'Hara as he had told me he only had 5-10 minutes in him before the kick off but pushed through the pain barrier and took part in most of the game, well done Tom.

Hopefully our injured players from this game and the previous ones with be back with us to continue a really good start to the season. On the subject of injuries our thoughts go out to the Middlesbrough player who lost a tooth and displaced two others but may this be a lesson to all who take part in our game that a gumshield is critical.

Another hard game coming up this week against Stockton and yes its away again, see you there!