DMPRFC should count themselves very unlucky not to return to Darlington without a point from their reasonably short trip to the Clifton Park HQ of Rotherham Titans RFC.

With a dominant first half performance by Rotherham deserving of their lead at the interval, in a reversal of fortune, DMPRFC did likewise to Rotherham after oranges, but despite plenty of effort and a lot of misfortune, they failed to register a single point.

Rotherham were hampered with several players missing from their line-up and DMPRFC, who seem to be having a bad run of misfortune, saw prop Ignis DARKINTIS pull-out the night before due to his partner ‘going into labour’ and scrum half Matt DUDMAN injured in the warm-up.

DUDMAN’s replacement and fellow scrum half Martin LITHGO had not expected to be even playing in the game, having initially attended as a spectator, intending to participate in the after match team Christmas bash. However, in his first game for DMPRFC since Noah was a lad, his performance was exceptional. Another unexpected addition to the side was DMPRFC Director of Rugby Daniel BROWN as replacement prop, who managed 14-odd minutes at the coalface when required to do so.

Early penalties were exchanged, with first home full back Alexander DOLLY (3 – 0) and then former Rotherham player and now DMPRFC Head Coach and fly half Garry LAW both hitting the mark. (3 – 3)

The opening try came courtesy of home winger Daniel LEAKE after ten minutes, dotting down for his first home score of the season (8 – 3). The conversion was missed by DOLLY, who made amends only four minutes later, slotting a penalty for the hosts. (11 – 3)

After a further four minutes, LAW’s second penalty drew the scores closer. (11 – 6)
Rotherham were already dominant in the scrum when visiting prop Charlie PURKIS-MCENDOO was sin-binned for dropping the scrum. DMPRFC put on Rory DUFF, with VAIOLETI trying his hand in the front row, but the dominance in that facet of the game remained in favour of the hosts.

Rotherham’s top try scorer No. 8 NAGLE-TAYLOR scored his twelfth try of the season just towards the thirty minute mark (16 – 3), converted by DOLLY, with the home side starting to edge away. (18 – 6).

DMPRFC were denied a first try when a catch and drive lineout, was driven 20-metres towards the home line, only to be pulled down, with no penalty try/yellow card punishment for a very fortunate home side.

However, DMPRFC were subsequently rewarded when they continued where they left off on resumption and with several pick and drives from a scrum, LITHGO capped a fine game with DMPRFC’s first, but unfortunately only try on thirty-three minutes, darting in for the score, which was converted by LAW (18 – 13)

Rotherham’s lock Conor KEYS instinctively stopped visiting centre Callum MACKENZIE with a straight arm tackle. But to his detriment, it was ‘more than a tad too high’ and he was banished to the sidelines for luckily, only the obligatory ten minutes.

So despite their first half dominance at the scrum and in the game, Rotherham only took a slender lead into the dressing rooms at oranges.

Almost immediately as play resumed, Rotherham had scored their third try of the game, with LEAKE adding his brace, with probably the best score of the game, entering the line at pace and finishing off well, with DOLLY adding the conversion. (25 – 13)

Unfortunately, despite dominating most of the second half, DMPRFC failed to add to their total.

VAIOLTI did get the ball down over the try line, but the quick thinking defenders managed to turn him immediately and before the arrival of the referee and his closest assistant, who consequently didn’t see any grounding of the ball and the points went begging.

DMPRFC’s DoR managed a cameo performance for the visitors, but the game was deservedly Rotherham’s by then, on the basis of their first half dominance, taking their opportunities when they were presented.

Despite the loss and the pre-game disruption, DMPRFC ’s performance did auger well for 2019, with the return of several injured players and the hint of some possible transfer activity before the end of February window.

ROTHERHAM TITANS RFC SQUAD
15. Alexander DOLLY, 14. Daniel LEAKE, 13. Harry DUNNE, 12. Ellis ABRAHAMS (James COOKE, 68), 11. Connor FIELD, 10. Joseph BARKER, 9. Connor DEVER (Thomas ALLOTT, 72), 1. Daniel RICHARDSON (Jessie WILLIAMS, 78), 2. Jack BERNANUS (Alistair THOMPSON, 55), 3. Richard STOUT (William DENNIS, 49) , 4. Conor KEYS, 5. Kieran FROST, 6. Luis BALL, 7. Zakery POOLE, 8. Sebastian NAGLE-TAYLOR.

Replacements: All Used

Try: LEAKE (10, 41), NAGLE-TAYLOR (27)
Conversion: DOLLY (27, 41)
Penalty: DOLLY (2, 14)
Drop Goal: None
Yellow Card: Conor KEYS (Foul Play)
Player of the Match: Daniel LEAKE

DMPRFC SQUAD
15. Chris McTURK, 14. Oliver WALKER(ASHER-WOOD, 55), 13. Callum MACKENZIE, 12. Warren SEALS (WALKER, 63), 11. Shaun McCARTNEY, 10. Garry LAW, 9. Martin LITHGO, 1. Charley PURKISS-MCKENDOO (Duff, 37), 2. Jordan POOLE, 3. Ralph APPLEBY, 4. David FISHER (BRADY, 58), 5. Talite VAIOLETI (BROWN, 66), 6. George STOKES (DUFFY, 75), 7. Matthew HEATON, 8. Joe CRAGGS.

Replacements: All Used

Try: LITHGO (33)
Conversion: LAW (33)
Penalty: LAW (5, 18)
Drop Goal: None
Yellow Card: Charley PURKIS-McKENDOO (Technical)
Player of the Match: George STOKES

Referee: Mr Dan PARROT
Assistant Referees: Mr Matthew DAUBNEY, Mr Jason GARRICK
Attendance: 684

NEXT GAME: OLD ELTHAMIANS RFC (H) - SATURDAY 5TH JANUARY 2019

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR