DMPU10 Dominate at Redcar

DMPU10 played at Redcar this Sunday against Acklam, Hartlepool Rovers and Redcar.

The first match was against Acklam. It looked and felt like DMP were going to have a miserable time as three tries went in unopposed. DMP thought they had scored a try only to discover the referee was not using the same pitch dimensions. They were also contending against unlimited numbers in the ruck , opposition allowed to come round the side and pick and run when DMP had won the ruck, dubious high tackles and full on ram raids. Whilst the coaching staff complained and set a poor example not one player grumbled. Callum and Connie politely asked what was happening. Harrison rucked like he had been there at every training session this year and all kept their spirits top.

Next Hartlepool Rovers came on. This time the referee had to benefit Rovers to contain DMP dominance. The outstanding point of the match was when Arthur scored a try but sportingly admitted he had lost control of the ball before putting it down.

Then the crunch match. Players and coaches alike were nervous about playing a Redcar team who had been very physical two weeks ago. DMP stunned Redcar. The benefit of Iain Taylors' rucking coaching was clear. Redcar looked bemused as they couldn't throw people out of the ruck. There were mind games played with DMP talking to and congratulating their big man Daryll, picking him out and pairing up to bring him down. Connie was imperious carrying ball and making ground. Jack kept his cool in an off the ball incident of handbags at 10 paces, Alfie was backing up, Kieran was frightening with his determination, ball carrying and tackling. Faith was working with Connie to stop any Redcar man near her and Jonny was tackling like never before. Redcar players were having to leave the field with knocks and one incident summed things up when a pile fo Redcar players injured their own man at the bottom with DMP winning the ball back and running past the bewildered opposition. Redcar looked like dazed rabbits in the headlights.

Alan and Iain were the coaches of the match even in Iain's absence. Iain for his rucking and pairing up coaching which was carried out by the players superbly and Alan for the huge impact he has had on players like Jonny, Alfie and Arthur since his late season introduction. Spectators Stacey and Eoghann independently said it was the best they had ever seen DMP play. Aodan, Faith, Harrison, Alfie, Arthur, Connie, Callum, Tom, Will, Euan, Jonny and Kieran were the team of the day and the (wo)men of the match. They all "Saved the Best til Last"