Houghton 26-62 DMP

DMP made the trip north this morning to take on Haughton. On a good pitch and with good weather, the supporters from both sides were looking forward to the match and were not to be disappointed.

With Coach Brown away relaxing on a bespoke spa weekend somewhere in rural Cumbria, Coach Law revved the team up and demanded a strong start. However, DMP must have had mud in their ears, as straight from the kick off, the Haughton winger caught the ball and ran the length of the pitch to dot down under the post (7:0).

This woke DMP up. Strong counter rucking by Hayward & Macdonald, allowed Patterson to quickly move the ball to Drought, who sent a long pass to Rogers. Meeting the ball at pace, he beat his man and went over in the corner - something the team had worked on this week. Drought nailed a terrific conversion from way out on the touchline (7-7).

3 more tries quickly followed. Captain Myers picked up a loose ball to go over under the post for a converted try (7-14) after a strong run from Bearpark, and then another 40 yard charge from the same player was finished off by Wind who was in close support (7-19). From a retreating scrum, Law salvaged the ball and took off down field. With 4 or 5 defenders clinging to him like barnacles he was eventually felled just short of the posts, but Myers was on hand to go over once again for another converted try (7-26).

DMP started to relax, allowing the Haughton Fly Half to saunter through the entire pack and dot down under the posts (14-26), but another great move from the backs allowed Rogers to finish strongly once again in the corner to bring the half time whistle (14-31).

The second half began where it left off. Good work by the pack set up the backs; Graham drew 2 defenders smartly and moved the ball to Shepherd. Shepherd then fed a lovely flat pass to his fellow Dalesman Watkinson who showed great strength and determination to beat 2 men, just being held up on the line. Ward and Stokell were on the scene quickly to secure the ball and allow Delaidriti to go over (14 – 36).
A series of poor tackles and multiple infringements allowed Haughton to reply (19-36), before Rigby fed Drought, who galloped home (19- 41). Delaidriti then hot stepped home for another (19-48).

As full time approached Myers ran from half way, handing off multiple defenders to complete a terrific captain’s hat trick (26-55) and Law finished off the game, deservedly smashing down under the posts (26-62); a try which was converted by tight head Hayward in his first audition for the 10 shirt.

A great performance from every member of the team and great to see some of the work the lads have been doing in practice come to fruition; forwards setting up 2nd and 3rd phase ball and ball being moved out wide by the backs.

Two Men of the match today; Josh Bearpark – the ‘Branksome Bulldozer’ had his best match of the season, terrifying defenders with an awesome display of powerful straight running, and Jake Rogers – fantastic finishing from one of our newest recruits, taking the ball at depth and pace to leave defenders trailing in his wake.

Match Report from Tristan Drought