DMPRFC registered their first win of the new National League One 2019/20 season, comfortably seeing off the challenge of Hull Ionians RFC at their Brantingham Park HQ.

Having conceded 70 points to Birmingham Moseley RFC in the opening game, the hosts were keen to bounce back in front of their fans, whilst DMPRFC, having considered themselves unlucky to lose to Richmond RFC in the opener, to the last play of the game, were anxious to register a victory.

Ideal conditions presented both teams the opportunity to play whatever games their respective coaches deemed necessary for the win and the game opened well for the visitors, who scored in their opening foray, with the home side on the attack from the kick-off.

Visiting scrum half Euan McKIRDY kicked well out of defence, but with the home side’s lineout failing to function, DMPRFC were immediately buzzing within Ionians 22-metre line, first attacking left, then back inside for Ionians ex-player, now DMPRFC fly half Callum IRVINE to skip through the home defence for the score after barely one minute on the clock, (0 – 5) centre Warren SEALS comfortably adding the extras. (0 -7)

To their credit, Ionians shrugged off the early disappointment and were unlucky not to reply, when fly half Seremaia TURAGABECI’s long range penalty effort hit the crossbar and bounced back into play. DMPRFC were slow to react and Ionians regained possession, eventually awarded a lineout just outside the visitors red zone. This time the lineout functioned well and from the resulting catch and drive, home hooker Benjamin STEPHENSON dotted down. (5 – 7) This time TURAGABECI’s kick shaved the wrong side of the upright.

Honours were even for the next quarter of the game, with DMPRFC looking dangerous on the ball, but managing to spill the ball before anything meaningful had developed.

However, the signs were there, that if enough phases were completed, then DMPRFC’s back line had the measure of their opposite numbers.

DMPRFC full back Paul JARVIS took a knock whilst tackling an opposition player into touch and had to leave the field as a result, replaced by entre Ben DIXON, necessitating a backline shuffle for the visitors.

After thirty two minutes of play, IRVINE’s second try was a carbon copy of his first, with some good approach play and when the ball found the experienced playmaker, he avoided the defence for the try, (5 – 12), SEALS adding the conversion. (5 – 14)

Ionians tried to reply and were buoyed when visiting prop Ralph APPLEBY was sin-binned for allegedly bringing down a maul close to the line. However, despite being reduced in numbers, it was DMPRFC who looked the more dangerous in attack.

Despite creating further chances, DMPRFC failed to add to their total and when the break for oranges arrived, some frustration was felt by visiting players and supporters alike.

Replacements were introduced at halftime, which benefitted DMPRFC, especially in the scrum, where dual registered Newcastle Falcons academy prop Conrad CADE showed particularly well, along with fellow DR, William MONTGOMERY, who had started at lock.

Signs looked ominous for the home side, after a succession of injuries threatened to disrupt their side and recognising the dilemma, DMPRFC cranked up play.

From fifty minutes, DMPRFC scored with ease and regularity, consigning Ionians to a miserable afternoon, as their connections looked on at the walking wounded and towards the prospect of other injured players returning to the side in the coming months.

Sean McCARTNEY started the try fest as he’d done so last week, fielding a defensive high kick and scattering a few ‘would be’ tacklers en route to the try line. (5 – 19)

McCARTNEY appeared on the opposite wing and when the overlap was realised, he slid in under the tackle for his brace. (5 – 24)

Man-of-the-Match visiting centre Ben Frankland got the reward his defensive and attacking play deserved, staying on his feet, wading through tacklers to score behaving the posts, (5 – 29), giving SEALS an easy shot for the conversion. (5 – 31)

Sometimes DMPRFC have been accused of easing off when in a commanding position, but not on this occasion, as more tries followed.

Wing Ollie WALKER broke several tackles on the way to his try and DMPRFC’s sixth try (5 – 36), SEALS adding yet more points with the conversion.

Lock Will MONTGOMERY’s workmanlike performance deserved a try and accordingly he didn’t disappoint, sprinting in from 22-metres out (5 – 41) for DMPRFC’s penultimate try and with another conversion from SEALS (5 – 45), the visitors neared the half century as time drew to a close.

Just enough time though f or replacement scrum half Max PEPPER to score his first league try, (5 – 50) after a timely scoring pass from IRVINE, who ended the game as he had started with a significant contribution, even from the full back berth, SEALS adding the extras. (5 – 52)

Ionians tried for a consolation try in the dying embers of the game, however, it just wasn’t their day and the final whistle brought an end to their misery.

HULL IONIANS RFC SQUAD

15. Duell TRUEMAN (Alfie BEADLE, 53)
14. Jack COLBURNE
13. James TINCKNELL
12. William HARDY (Alexander TORKINGTON, 56)
11. Tim WAQADU
10. Seremaia TURAGABECI
9. Marco FUMMO
1. David LAVERICK (Ben CARLILE, 50) (David LAVERICK, 70)
2. Ben STEPHENSON
3. Ben BELL (Joshua PEACE, 40)
4. Alexander TORKINGTON (Joseph MAKIN, 40)
5. Thomas PETERS
6. George MEWBURN
7. Rehat CHOUDHURY (Ben WHYTE, 56)
8. Ben WHYTE (Ed FALKINGHAM, 44) (Ben BELL, 76)

Replacements – All Used

SCORING

Try: STEPHENSON (12)
Conversion: None
Penalty: None
Drop Goal: None
Penalty Try: None
Yellow Card: None

DMPRFC SQUAD

15. Paul JARVIS (Ben DIXON, 24)
14. Ollie WALKER (Ignis DARKINTIS, 39)
13. Ben FRANKLAND
12. Warren SEALS
11. Shaun McCARTNEY
10. Callun IRVINE
9. Euan McKIRDY (Max PEPPER, 59)
1. Alfie BARRON (Conrad CADE, 40)
2. Joe DUFFY (Ralph APPLEBY, 64)
3. Ralph APPLEBY (Ollie WALKER, 50)
4. William MONTGOMERY (David FISHER, 64)
5. Joe CRAGGS
6. Dave FISHER (Daniel GRANGE, 50)
7. George STOKES
8. Ollie HODGSON

Replacements – All Used

SCORING

Try: IRVINE (1 & 32), McCARTNEY (50 & 54) FRANKLAND (56), WALKER (60), MONTGOMERY (72), PEPPER (77)
Conversion: SEALS (2, 33, 57, 61, 73 & 78)
Penalty: None
Drop Goal: None
Penalty Try: None
Yellow Card: Ralph APPLEBY (39)

Man-of-the-Match: Ben FRANKLAND (DMPRFC)
Referee: Mr Ben RAYNER
Referee’s Assistants: Dr Simon PARK, Mr Matthew DAUBNEY
Attendance: 228

NEXT WEEK: DMPRFC v READING RAMS (H)