Match Report v Ripon

The first half:
The game started with the shout from Jonathan Berry “ Let’s get physical” and physical it was.

The first 10 minutes pass with both teams looking evenly matched. DMP playing through the phases with composure and both teams competing aggressively at the breakdown hunting for possession and the opportunity to attack. Ripon begin to ease forward and after securing the ball in their line out at the DMP 22 manage to move the ball with pace to the wing to score. 5-0 to Ripon.
Ripon catch DMP napping at the kick off and following strong rucking move the ball to the wing again for another try. 10-0 Ripon.
DMP wake up and come back hard at Ripon. DMP line out delivered in nicely by Charlie Fiery to Stephen Henry setting up a solid passage of play with powerful running coming in from Joe Berry and then Harry Wilson to score with the conversion from Sam Berry. 10-7 to Ripon.
DMP now looking lively put Ripon on the back foot through some strong running this time through Sam Shanks, Ryan Gilligan and finally Ezra L Blair to power over for the score just before the half time whistle. 10-12 to DMP.

Second Half:
DMP look to start how they ended the first half but Ripon defend well and counter attack from a scrum at the DMP 22 line to score. 17-12 to Ripon.
Ripon look to extend their lead and break the forward line to set up their attack down the line. DMP defend well with a great tackle from Wilf Humphry for DMP to clear their lines. DMP work their way forward maintaining position through multiple phases and coming close to scoring at the Ripon 5 m line until Ripon win a turnover and break to score. 24-12 to Ripon.
DMP realising they need the next score to stay in the game up the tempo and following a period of play with no side giving anything away DMP begin to progress forward. DMP continue to grind it out with Ripon putting up a good defence until the ball went loose for Robert Carney to sweep up and run in the try. 24-17 to Ripon with 5 minutes remaining game on !!
Ripon now unsettled by a hungry DMP side looking to level the game. DMP press immediately from the kick off and force Ripon backwards to set up a solid attacking platform. DMP secure the ball at the ruck and with a fast and accurate pass from Ben Turnbull into the hands of Will Todd who had been smashing into the forward line all game finally got his break to score and Sam Berry to convert. The game finished 24-24.
Another excellent result from two equally matched sides playing great rugby..