Sat 16 Dec 2023, 14:00
The opening 15 minutes, very even exchanges between both clubs with the game played mainly in the middle third of the pitch. Bournville taking advantage of the strong breeze at their backs playing towards the clubhouse end whilst DK are playing with the sun in their eyes.
After ten minutes of play, penalty awarded to Bournville for an offence by DK at the breakdown on the 10-metre line which the visitors successfully convert to lead 3 - 0.
At this point Bournville seemed to be gaining the ascendancy with DK having to work hard in defense, but still too many unforced errors by DK keep them under pressure.
As halftime approached at long last DK managed to get a flowing move together with some good interplay looked to have a good try, unfortunately it was disallowed following a forward pass earlier in the move.
However, the visitors has strayed offside, and the resulting penalty was successfully converted by fullback Theo Mannion. (3 - 3)
From the kickoff, there was some difference of opinions between both sets of forwards which resulted and DK prop Chad Thorne, receiving a red card and the Bournville flanker given yellow meaning that the home side were going to play the second half with 14 men.
Halftime DK 3 Bournville 3
Both teams starting the second half with 14 men. It was Bournville who looked the most threatening and the first chance to score came when they had a penalty opportunity following offside by the DK backs, but they missed what was a relatively simple kick from 25 metres.
Now playing against 15 men. DK lifted their game and started to look more threatening with some sustained pressure and eventually an excellent backs move was finished off in flying style by winger Mark Harrison who scored wide out on the right, with his try successfully converted by fullback Mannion for a 10 – 3 lead.
Now Bournville piled on pressure and they threatened the DK line on the number occasions, but the home defense was resolute, with the 14 men building a strong blue defensive line across the pitch that the visitors were unable to penetrate.
With only three minutes left on the clock, and sustained attack where Bournville came very close to scoring, an interception by DK fullback Theo Mannion who ran the full length field to score between the posts and converted his own try to make the final score 17 - 3.
