Sat 19 Oct 2019
This was one of those games which was all about the result given the league positions of the two teams and for DK being on the road had to be factored as well. So to come away with a 31-28 victory was very pleasing, that gave DK a return of 5 league points to Lichfield’s 2.
Though, DK could draw even more from the game, unavailability’s and late injuries at training during the week, meant that the starting fifteen was rearranged, but the team showed character and a collective spirit throughout the eighty minutes. This is undoubtedly a positive to take into the rest of the season, there were sparks throughout the game which should give confidence for the future, and stand the team in good stead.
The game opened with a period of DK pressure, which lead to a scrummage penalty to DK which was kicked right into the corner by Harry Bayliss, a line out to DK, James Ryan hit his mark Dan Marsh and the DK forwards formed a maul which then started to edge forward and gained momentum and over the line for the opening try, it was hooker James Ryan who scored the try and Sam Vaughan added the extras DK into an early 7-0 lead.
The first quarter of the game was mainly DK applying pressure a break in the midfield by second row Dan Marsh saw Tommy Walker who had moved to centre for this game carry the move on down the DK left. Next, following another line out Josh Melvin asked the Lichfield defence questions with a well weighted grubber kick behind their winger.
Lichfield were also able to mount attacks in this period and looked threatening when the danger was snuffed out by a superb open field tackle by Charlie Baffour, moments later it was Charlie who ran back the ball at the Lichfield defence, linking with Josh Melvin who was able to drive the ball deep into the defence area of Lichfield with a raking cross field kick. DK took advantage of the field position once again and another incisive run by Dan Marsh had the Lichfield defence on the back foot and a pass to Arran Hudson our tight head, taking and giving the ball expertly, saw Tommy Walker around the outside of the defensive line and in under the posts for DK’s second try, with Sam on target again 14-0 to DK.
DK were looking good value for their lead at this point of the game with Josh Brown eating up the ground down the middle of the park, but it came to nothing. It was Lichfield who scored the next try, their forwards drove straight at a ruck, then some excellent interplay saw their forwards make a breach in the DK defence and score a good try, plus the conversion, it was 14-7 to DK.
A good DK counter attack saw the ball deep into the Lichfield half, and it was Dan Marsh who was on hand to give James Jefferson the pass that saw the DK right wing speed down the touchline to score the third DK try plus the extras from Sam 21-7 to DK.
A fifth try was scored this time by Lichfield in the dying minutes of the first half, the Lichfield pack took advantage a field position gained from a penalty and pounded at the DK line until the DK defence had been committed and narrowed and the ball was then given to their right wing in space to make the half time score 21-14 to DK.
Though, DK could draw even more from the game, unavailability’s and late injuries at training during the week, meant that the starting fifteen was rearranged, but the team showed character and a collective spirit throughout the eighty minutes. This is undoubtedly a positive to take into the rest of the season, there were sparks throughout the game which should give confidence for the future, and stand the team in good stead.
The game opened with a period of DK pressure, which lead to a scrummage penalty to DK which was kicked right into the corner by Harry Bayliss, a line out to DK, James Ryan hit his mark Dan Marsh and the DK forwards formed a maul which then started to edge forward and gained momentum and over the line for the opening try, it was hooker James Ryan who scored the try and Sam Vaughan added the extras DK into an early 7-0 lead.
The first quarter of the game was mainly DK applying pressure a break in the midfield by second row Dan Marsh saw Tommy Walker who had moved to centre for this game carry the move on down the DK left. Next, following another line out Josh Melvin asked the Lichfield defence questions with a well weighted grubber kick behind their winger.
Lichfield were also able to mount attacks in this period and looked threatening when the danger was snuffed out by a superb open field tackle by Charlie Baffour, moments later it was Charlie who ran back the ball at the Lichfield defence, linking with Josh Melvin who was able to drive the ball deep into the defence area of Lichfield with a raking cross field kick. DK took advantage of the field position once again and another incisive run by Dan Marsh had the Lichfield defence on the back foot and a pass to Arran Hudson our tight head, taking and giving the ball expertly, saw Tommy Walker around the outside of the defensive line and in under the posts for DK’s second try, with Sam on target again 14-0 to DK.
DK were looking good value for their lead at this point of the game with Josh Brown eating up the ground down the middle of the park, but it came to nothing. It was Lichfield who scored the next try, their forwards drove straight at a ruck, then some excellent interplay saw their forwards make a breach in the DK defence and score a good try, plus the conversion, it was 14-7 to DK.
A good DK counter attack saw the ball deep into the Lichfield half, and it was Dan Marsh who was on hand to give James Jefferson the pass that saw the DK right wing speed down the touchline to score the third DK try plus the extras from Sam 21-7 to DK.
A fifth try was scored this time by Lichfield in the dying minutes of the first half, the Lichfield pack took advantage a field position gained from a penalty and pounded at the DK line until the DK defence had been committed and narrowed and the ball was then given to their right wing in space to make the half time score 21-14 to DK.
The half time talks would have probably been positive from both sides.
Then opening period of the second half seemed to be a bit of an arm wrestle in midfield but that was broken when Mitch Grealey latched on to a pass from Joe Dunn, and made a barnstorming run straight down the middle of the pitch, Charlie Baffour spotted the developing situation and moved in from his wing to take an offload from Mitch, he was then faced by defenders and deft offloaded saw the ever industrious Dan Marsh up in support, but this time with a clear run to the line, and over for a fine try, which was the high point of a fine performance, plus two more from the boot of Sam, the try bonus point in the bag and a 28-14 lead.
From this point of relative strength events started to conspire against DK, Callum Nicholls who had been playing well with Dan Marsh in the second Row was forced off with injury, this was compounded by the fact that Josh Brown was already off through injury some the normal change in the scrum could not be made. On came Joe Tighe, to bolster the pack.
Lichfield were now looking like the side that was in front, and were awarded a penalty in front of the DK posts; missed it would prove very important by the end of the game.
Lichfield continued to press during this period of the game and the thin blue line was called into desperate defensive duties and the referee’s patience was being tested, and after 16 minutes of the second half he yellow carded Rich Kelley, then a scrum so off went Joe Tighe and on came Jake Thompson to replace Rich in the front row.
Lichfield opted for a scrum at the penalty and it resulted in a push over try, and a conversion 28-21 to DK.
DK now went about trying to avoid points in the remainder of the yellow card period, with field position from the kick off and avoiding giving away scrummages DK whittled away at the time. Then, came the pivotal moment of the game DK were awarded a very kickable penalty in front of the Lichfield posts. With an eye on the scoreboard and having the try bonus point secured, Sam was asked to kick at goal by Pete Griffiths, over it went and DK into the lead 31-21, more than one score in front.
DK were back to fifteen but the drama was not over, Lichfield were back in the game they scored their fourth try and collected their seventh try bonus point this season, 31-28.
Into the last few minutes, it could end in all three results. Though, it was DK who won this last passage of the game, it started with a bostin’ tackle from fly half Josh Melvin, which set the bar for the team going into that vital last few minutes and it led to a period of great effort from the whole team, and two names found their way into my notes at this point Mitch Grealey and Tommy Walker.
This week’s performance was a step up from last week, and should engender confidence throughout the squad.
Then opening period of the second half seemed to be a bit of an arm wrestle in midfield but that was broken when Mitch Grealey latched on to a pass from Joe Dunn, and made a barnstorming run straight down the middle of the pitch, Charlie Baffour spotted the developing situation and moved in from his wing to take an offload from Mitch, he was then faced by defenders and deft offloaded saw the ever industrious Dan Marsh up in support, but this time with a clear run to the line, and over for a fine try, which was the high point of a fine performance, plus two more from the boot of Sam, the try bonus point in the bag and a 28-14 lead.
From this point of relative strength events started to conspire against DK, Callum Nicholls who had been playing well with Dan Marsh in the second Row was forced off with injury, this was compounded by the fact that Josh Brown was already off through injury some the normal change in the scrum could not be made. On came Joe Tighe, to bolster the pack.
Lichfield were now looking like the side that was in front, and were awarded a penalty in front of the DK posts; missed it would prove very important by the end of the game.
Lichfield continued to press during this period of the game and the thin blue line was called into desperate defensive duties and the referee’s patience was being tested, and after 16 minutes of the second half he yellow carded Rich Kelley, then a scrum so off went Joe Tighe and on came Jake Thompson to replace Rich in the front row.
Lichfield opted for a scrum at the penalty and it resulted in a push over try, and a conversion 28-21 to DK.
DK now went about trying to avoid points in the remainder of the yellow card period, with field position from the kick off and avoiding giving away scrummages DK whittled away at the time. Then, came the pivotal moment of the game DK were awarded a very kickable penalty in front of the Lichfield posts. With an eye on the scoreboard and having the try bonus point secured, Sam was asked to kick at goal by Pete Griffiths, over it went and DK into the lead 31-21, more than one score in front.
DK were back to fifteen but the drama was not over, Lichfield were back in the game they scored their fourth try and collected their seventh try bonus point this season, 31-28.
Into the last few minutes, it could end in all three results. Though, it was DK who won this last passage of the game, it started with a bostin’ tackle from fly half Josh Melvin, which set the bar for the team going into that vital last few minutes and it led to a period of great effort from the whole team, and two names found their way into my notes at this point Mitch Grealey and Tommy Walker.
This week’s performance was a step up from last week, and should engender confidence throughout the squad.
