Previous encounters between the two sides had seen scores fairly close and pre-match the same had been anticipated. However, after initial first quarter parity, the remainder of the first half and the entire second half belonged to the hosts, who scored some good tries with regularity.

DMPRFC’s fly half Warren SEALS exchanged early penalties with opposite number Ben PALMER, (3 – 3) in an opening 10 minute exchange which saw each side test the other in midfield sorties. If anything it was Birmingham who started the brighter and confined the hosts to defensive duties for much of that period.

A break out of defence by home centre Ollie WALKER proved to be instrumental in a try for hooker David NELSON, who scored under the posts. (8 – 3) SEALS registered with the first of what ultimately was to be a 100% kicking performance on the day. (10 – 3)

Birmingham replied via National League One top try scorer and winger Aquile SMITH, (10 – 8) after an attacking scrum, but with PALMER missing the afters, Birmingham were not to know that this would be their last score of the game.

From a midfield lineout, DMPRFC took possession into the visitors half, with winger Morgan PASSMAN showing his pace and a clean pair of heels to the visitors defence, rounding to score near to the posts (15 – 8), SEALS converting. (17 – 8)

Player of the Match and DMPRFC full back Callum IRVINE fielded a wayward Birmingham kick out of defence and replied with a classic high kick, which bounced before he took the ball in his stride, before shipping on to centre WALKER for the score, (22 – 8), SEALS converting (24 – 8).

As the official blew for half time, DMPRFC were well in control.

On resumption of play, it wasn’t too long before DMPRFC established superiority, when SEALS broke out of defence to send in scrum half Euan McKIRDY for the score (29 – 8), SEALS converting. (31 – 8)

PASSMAN registered with his second score, when after breaking fast on the halfway line himself, both he and IRVINE combined, culminating in PASSMAN hacking ahead and beating the defender to the touchdown over the line, (36 – 8) SEALS converting. (38 – 8)

From a poor kick out of defence by the visitors, the ball was returned in kind and a clean break by IRVINE saw his overall industry rewarded with a score of his own, (43 – 8), SEALS again converting. (45 – 8)

Little time had elapsed, when DMPRFC were on the attack again, this time with SEALS chipping over the defence, with centre Ben DIXON gathering and with PASSMAN backing up, it wasn’t long before he was in under the posts, (50 – 8), SEALS converting. (52 – 8)

As the game began to fragment, Mowden cut loose with SEALS deservedly bagging a try of his own, regaining his composure to add yet another conversion. (59)

PASSMAN registered with his fourth try as the game drew to a close, (64 – 8) fittingly converted by SEALS, to add to his flawless kicking performance. (66 – 8)

DMPRFC

15. Callum Irvine (Elia Biasuzzi, 65),14. Christopher McTurk (Aedan Moloney, 37),13. Oliver Walker, 12. Benjamin Dixon, 11. Morgan Passman, 10. Warren Seals, 9. Euan McKirdy, 1. Ralph Appleby, 2. David Nelson, 3. Ignas Darkintis (Joe Duffy, 34), 4. Max Davies, 5. Talite Vaioleti, 6. Daniel Grange, 7. Joe Craggs, 8. Oliver Hodgson (Conrad Cade, 58),

Replacements: Garry Law (not used)

TRY: Nelson (11), Passman (15, 56, 69, 76), Walker (29), McKirdy (48), Irvine (63), Seals (69).
CONVERSION: Seals (11, 16, 29, 48, 56, 64, 69, 74, 77)
PENALTY: Seals (4)
DROP GOAL: None
PENALTY TRY: None
YELLOW CARD: None

BIRMINGHAM MOSELEY RFC

15. Harry O’Brien, 14. Aquile Smith, 13. Kieran Joyce, 12. Ravai Fatiaki, 11. John Davetanivlu (Lewis Roach, 40), 10. Benjamin Palmer, 9. Jack Jolly (Johnny Arr, 58), 1. Joe Foreman, 2. William Biggs (Rhodri Tanner, 49), 3. James Tideswell (Osman Dimen, 49), 4. Scott Russell (Harry Mahoney, 69), 5. Aaron Crofts, 6. Daniel Wright, 7. Zacharias Xiourouppa, 8. Buster Lawrence,

Replacements: All used

TRY: Smith (27),
CONVERSION: None
PENALTY: Palmer (7),
DROP GOAL: None
PENALTY TRY: None
YELLOW CARD: None

REFEREE: Mr James O’BRIEN
REFEREE’S ASSISTANTS: Mr Paul Fincken, Mr Simon O’NEIL
ATTENDANCE: 746
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Callum IRVINE (DMPRFC)

HT: 24 - 8
FT: 66 – 8

NEXT WEEK – BLACKHEATH RFC (H)