Sat 5 Jan 2019, 14:15
January is the month, which often proves pivotal in the race for the top two spots in M1W, it looks that will be the case in 2019 Bromsgrove with their win have gone a long way to promoting their cause. While, DK have to target the play off place and the North Midlands Cup Final, following their 19-15 defeat, rugby can be a game of fine margins and that was certainly true of this encounter.
The opening quarter was probably the best period of the game for DK, exerting territorial pressure on Bromsgrove with the game mainly taking place in the Bromsgrove half. DK had the first chance at points when Sam Vaughan attempted a long range penalty which was at the extreme limit of his range and it shaded to the left of the posts.
Though it was not all one way and Bromsgrove skipper Ed Spalding ran the ball back from his centre position and almost split the DK defence which did combine to stop him, and their back row started to test the mettle of the DK midfield with some powerful bursts into the DK defensive line, but some brave tackling from Connah Jones and co kept their progress to the minimum.
Though, the DK pressure told when following a period of phase play saw the DK threequarters released on the left wing with the ball being delivered to Charlie Baffour, who made the most of the chance powering through two tackles and showing his fleetness of foot to score the first try of the game in front of the DK faithful by the clubhouse, this was turned into a 7-0 lead by a good conversion from out wide by Sam Vaughan.
Has often happens in close games the kick off saw the epicentre of the game move to the other half of the field and DK were into defensive mode, and struggling to move the game back towards the Bromsgrove line, and with the change of emphasis the penalties continued to be mainly against the defending side so the pressure was mounting on DK. The defensive stint was immense but there was inevitability about the constant waves of Bromsgrove attacks, and it was following a penalty for handling in a ruck that Bromsgrove crossed the DK line and the conversion levelled the scores at 7-7.
With the clock showing 5 minutes plus time added on to go in the first half; the outcome of the game was actually settled. The kick off saw DK back with the territorial advantage and after 39 minutes Bromsgrove strayed offside and Sam Vaughan made the score 10-7 from the tee.
Though there was more to come Bromsgrove were back on the attack and were awarded a penalty which they used to gain field position and from the line out they were awarded another penalty this time it was the scrum option and much to the dismay of the home crowd a well working first phase move saw them in for another converted try, 14-10 to Bromsgrove at half time.
The game was on a knife edge at half time and the half time talks would have been very interesting to listen to.
The tone for the second half was set early in the second half when Bromsgrove scored again through their left wing, who made the most of a three on two and was in the clubhouse corner, but no conversion, so 10-19.
DK responded to being outside bonus point range and upped their intensity and started to shade the position game and were starting to make some progress down their left wing where Charlie Baffour was starting to cause problems and stress the Bromsgrove cover defence after breaking tackles.
Half way through the half one of the Bromsgrove forwards was shown a yellow card for a no arms tackle, and immediately looked to up the intensity, the resulting penalty was kicked into touch in the Bromsgrove 22. Josh Brown rose high and won clean ball, off the top to Jordan Brookes who was at his lively best a snipe around the back of the line out led to a ruck 10 metres out, but the referee’s whistle brought it to and end with a Bromsgrove penalty for holding on.
Then it was almost a flashback to the cup tie earlier in the season with Josh Brown in full flight out of the DK 22, but no try this time only field position. With DK on the attack they were dominating the penalty count at this time but they were outside the range of Sam with an eye on the scoreboard. Too often the DK attacks were ended by a turnover at the ruck and maul which were being targeted by the Bromsgrove forwards.
Then, DK made their move following a penalty to touch DK were able to send Matt Perks through a gap in the Bromsgrove defence and as the cover defence closed on him there were waves of DK support to his left, and it went quickly through the first supporting players hands and onto Matt Squires who was able to power over the line, but it was near the touchline and the conversion was missed, so 15-19 with not too long on the clock.
There was a light bulb moment for Bromsgrove that a try would give them a two match point swing on DK, and they applied the pressure for the remaining minutes of the game in search of their fourth try, but the blue line held firm.
Not the result DK would have wanted but a much improved performance and only one of the top four left to play, the coaching staff will be looking for a good run to the end of the season.
Match Report by Pete Edmonds
Next week it is away at Droitwich.
