County Cup first round clash!!

A big thank you to DMP for allowing this encounter to be played in the stadium and to Jonathon and Ellen for the pre-match breakfast…Top Job!!

The first half:
Pre-kick off both teams face off with determination to win written all over their faces, Billingham with high expectations looking eager to get started against a well drilled DMP side.
From the start the game was full on with an early scrum being awarded to Billingham who were working hard to try and set up the first score. DMP’s rucking was impressive and aggressive with a free kick being awarded. DMP opt for territory and go for a line out which Billingham managed to steal setting up their attack but only to be halted by a big hit from Sam Berry and then another from Innes Hill forcing the turnover and allowing DMP to clear their lines. The first 10 mins pass quickly with no score on the board. DMP begin to press and are awarded a scrum at the half way line, Ben Turnbull keeps the tempo high with quick ball setting up the DMP attack through Will Todd, Rob Carney and Tom Nelson all flying forwards, DMP are just short of the try line before play breaks down with the scrum going to DMP. From the scrum, Innes Hill smartly picks and drives supported by Joe Berry powers over to score the try and Ben Turnbull successfully converting. 7-0 DMP.
At the kick off DMP press again moving the ball quickly and rucking aggressively DMP are working hard as a team supporting each other at every breakdown. Matty White, Sam Shanks, John McKenna, Harry Wilson and Louie Groak all putting the graft in to take DMP forward whilst frustrating the life out of the Billingham counterparts. DMP continue to gel and work through the phases again with quick ball at the breakdown allows the play to move to the wing with Sol Kench waiting with anticipation ready to unleash his pace upon Billingham, the ball pops out to Sam Berry sporting a new haircut and it seems losing a kilo of hair proves effective with fleet of foot to cross the try line. Louie Groak converts successfully 14-0 DMP.
DMP go again at the kick off as though it was 0-0, Matty Beck stealing a line out from Billingham keeping possession in DMP hands. Both teams cancel each other out at the half way line until some aggressive rucking from DMP results in a scrum which Billingham are penalised for not binding. The intensity is high and the tackling is aggressive but fair from both sides. Billingham have a line out at the DMP 22 line which they mess up allowing Ben Turnbull to kick and run clearing the lines, Billingham frantically dive all over the ball only to have it ripped off them by Harry Wilson, the whistle blows for half time 14-0 DMP.

Second half
The Billingham kick off falls into the hand of Will T who opt’s for territory and kicks a high ball to attack, Billingham securely catch and kick back into space running the ball down to be met by Sam B sliding in and forcing a Billingham knock on. Quick ball from the scrum sets DMP away again with all the team moving the ball with fluidity eventually reaching Ezra L B who was not going to be stopped from scoring the try. 19-0 DMP.

Billingham are beginning to look desperate whilst the DMP boys look as though they have been listening to classical music, relaxed and composed. Billingham press forward to the DMP 5m line only to be turned over and DMP clear their lines. Again both teams work through the phases around the half way line cancelling each other out competing for possession and territory. Eventually Billingham are awarded a scrum from which their No 8 tries to break from to no avail being brought to the ground, both teams competing in the ruck Innes H politely clears out allowing the ball to be moved quickly once again and into the hands of Will T to run in an impressive try. 24-0 DMP.

Billingham kick off and Tom N catches and runs making ground supported by Louie G who decides to go on a charge with 3 or 4 Billingham players attempting to tackle him, Billingham are becoming frustrated with toys being thrown out of the pram. Billingham are awarded a scrum but with some impressive hooking from Will Hickerson resulted in a steal and DMP possession once more moving towards the Billingham 22 but knock on in the process. Billingham press frantically trying to get on the score board but to no avail with a great defensive tackle from Cameron B. Billingham continue to press in the last 5 mins but seem to be getting knocked backwards with some great defensive tackling from Stephen Henry and George Todd. Eventually Billingham go over to score 24-5 to DMP.

Well done boys a win well deserved!!