Sat 28 Sep 2019, 15:00
The Heathbrook faithful and our friends from Hereford were expecting an interesting confrontation with both sides coming into the game unbeaten with three wins and 15 points each. Well it certainly proved to be interesting with several unexpected twists and turns.
The first quarter of the game although, scoreless saw both teams put together some good attacking movements ad there was a flow to the game, although the knock-on proved contagious amongst all the players of both sides. Levi Hughes the Hereford left wing was prominent in the early exchanges, but it was DK’s left wing Charlie Baffour who should have opened the scoring when DK took a scrummage after a penalty was awarded and working a move involving Harry Bayliss on a cut back run and a quick recycle and out along the backs again, but you’ve guessed it a knock-on.
The game got back to a period of attacks from both sides but the defences staying strong and at times scrambling, but keeping their lines intact. Just after the half hour mark, DK threatened in front of the Hereford posts with Stef Shillingford making progress in the 22 with the impressive Will Hancox popping up in support like a good number 7 should, but the Hereford defence also reacted well and stopped the danger.
It was the DK forwards who applied the pressure in the final minutes of the first half, and following the award of a 5 metre scrummage following Hereford being forced to touch over their own line, the DK pack got the drive on and scored a push over try through number 8 Pete Griffiths and Sam Vaughan added the conversion, so it was 7-0 at half time.
A listen to the half time talks would have been very interesting neither side could have totally pleased with their first half performance but both were still in the game. Hereford had the wind behind them in the second half.
The first quarter of the game although, scoreless saw both teams put together some good attacking movements ad there was a flow to the game, although the knock-on proved contagious amongst all the players of both sides. Levi Hughes the Hereford left wing was prominent in the early exchanges, but it was DK’s left wing Charlie Baffour who should have opened the scoring when DK took a scrummage after a penalty was awarded and working a move involving Harry Bayliss on a cut back run and a quick recycle and out along the backs again, but you’ve guessed it a knock-on.
The game got back to a period of attacks from both sides but the defences staying strong and at times scrambling, but keeping their lines intact. Just after the half hour mark, DK threatened in front of the Hereford posts with Stef Shillingford making progress in the 22 with the impressive Will Hancox popping up in support like a good number 7 should, but the Hereford defence also reacted well and stopped the danger.
It was the DK forwards who applied the pressure in the final minutes of the first half, and following the award of a 5 metre scrummage following Hereford being forced to touch over their own line, the DK pack got the drive on and scored a push over try through number 8 Pete Griffiths and Sam Vaughan added the conversion, so it was 7-0 at half time.
A listen to the half time talks would have been very interesting neither side could have totally pleased with their first half performance but both were still in the game. Hereford had the wind behind them in the second half.
In the opening minutes of the half following a Hereford kick off DK were quickly into a defensive stint, but the Referee had indicated a penalty to Hereford for offside, he came back to it, and the penalty was put over to make the score 7-3 to DK.
Hereford started to contain DK in their own half, and the pressure led to a yellow card for Callum Nicholls, which ramped up the Hereford pressure and their left wing went over in front of the clubhouse, but no conversion, so Hereford into an 8-7 lead.
Hereford maintained a period of attacking but DK weathered the storm until they were back to fifteen. DK then gained some field position and were awarded a couple of penalties, the latter was well within Sam’s range so the DK full back was called on and made the score 10-8 to DK.
DK were starting to impose themselves onto the game and brought on Jamie Ramsey from the bench and the back rower was immediately prominent carrying the ball, he combined with Charlie Baffour down the right wing to force a line out deep in the Hereford half, the ensuing line out saw James Ryan and Jamie Ramsey make inroads infield narrowing the Hereford defence before the DK backs spun the ball out to Charlie Baffour and he was left to finish the move 15-8 to DK.
Hereford lost a second prop forward to injury, and at the next scrummage it was going to be uncontested and this meant that a Hereford player was removed, so Hereford had to play the remainder of the game with 14 men. This was compounded moments later when they were down to 13 following a yellow card.
Into the final 10 minutes with 2 tries against 13 men the crowd were thinking they can get the bonus point. Well it started to look a possibility when a Hereford clearance failed to make touch and Sam Vaughan ran the ball back, once again it was Jamie Ramsey in support, the ball was then put out to Charlie Baffour who made the line, the DK fans joy was short lived the last pass was adjudged forward.
Time was running out when DK engineered a gap for Stef Shillingford to exploit and over and Sam was faced with a straightforward kick so 22-8, to DK. Time ran out and the bonus point was not to be, so DK drop to second place a point behind Stoke on Trent. Though, this game was a double header, league and North Midlands Cup, so DK have bagged a semi-final spot against Bridgnorth or Newport away. Next weekend sees DK travel to Kenilworth who are third with the same points as DK; the lads will welcome all the support that they can get for this one.
Hereford started to contain DK in their own half, and the pressure led to a yellow card for Callum Nicholls, which ramped up the Hereford pressure and their left wing went over in front of the clubhouse, but no conversion, so Hereford into an 8-7 lead.
Hereford maintained a period of attacking but DK weathered the storm until they were back to fifteen. DK then gained some field position and were awarded a couple of penalties, the latter was well within Sam’s range so the DK full back was called on and made the score 10-8 to DK.
DK were starting to impose themselves onto the game and brought on Jamie Ramsey from the bench and the back rower was immediately prominent carrying the ball, he combined with Charlie Baffour down the right wing to force a line out deep in the Hereford half, the ensuing line out saw James Ryan and Jamie Ramsey make inroads infield narrowing the Hereford defence before the DK backs spun the ball out to Charlie Baffour and he was left to finish the move 15-8 to DK.
Hereford lost a second prop forward to injury, and at the next scrummage it was going to be uncontested and this meant that a Hereford player was removed, so Hereford had to play the remainder of the game with 14 men. This was compounded moments later when they were down to 13 following a yellow card.
Into the final 10 minutes with 2 tries against 13 men the crowd were thinking they can get the bonus point. Well it started to look a possibility when a Hereford clearance failed to make touch and Sam Vaughan ran the ball back, once again it was Jamie Ramsey in support, the ball was then put out to Charlie Baffour who made the line, the DK fans joy was short lived the last pass was adjudged forward.
Time was running out when DK engineered a gap for Stef Shillingford to exploit and over and Sam was faced with a straightforward kick so 22-8, to DK. Time ran out and the bonus point was not to be, so DK drop to second place a point behind Stoke on Trent. Though, this game was a double header, league and North Midlands Cup, so DK have bagged a semi-final spot against Bridgnorth or Newport away. Next weekend sees DK travel to Kenilworth who are third with the same points as DK; the lads will welcome all the support that they can get for this one.
