Sat 9 Nov 2019, 14:15
This was not a typical afternoon watching DK, the weather did its best to scupper plan A, so on to Plan B. Plan B worked and DK recorded a hard fought win 13-8. Then something of a bonus other results in M1W had gone our way, and the similes were on the DK faces in the Newbold bar, we had gone top of the league.
Once again this season it was the weather that was the major determining factor in how the game was played. The forecast rain arrived by kick off time and that hardy band of supporters of both clubs were either in the stand or sporting large umbrellas.
Though, Newbold had taken an early lead, inside three minutes a cross field kick by their stand-off half saw the DK defence in trouble after it was regained by the Newbold left wing, who was able to evade the cover and score in the corner, the conversion was not added 5-0 to Newbold.
DK started to build pressure in the Newbold half, but it was not leading to points. Then DK were offered a chance to counter attack following a long relieving kick Harry Bayliss instead on kicking the ball straight back to where it had come from, spotted the kick chase was under resourced and picked off the first chaser and was quickly in front of his own players . Thus allowing them to give him to off load to Stef Shillingford, and saw the move continue, and on to Will Hancox who was tackled on the Newbold 22.
Moments later DK were awarded a penalty into the corner and DK into their multi-phase attack, but the Newbold defence remained intact, but a Yellow card for the Newbold hooker for offside. Newbold had weathered that DK storm though and worked their way into the DK half, and were awarded a penalty which was taken quickly and DK were again punished with another penalty for not ten. This time it was within kicking range and a chance to run the clock down on the yellow card.
The Newbold stand-off kicked the penalty, so 8-0 to Newbold.
DK did have a last chance in the first half following a penalty kick to the corner but the chance was lost with some poor execution in the backs into half time.
Once again this season it was the weather that was the major determining factor in how the game was played. The forecast rain arrived by kick off time and that hardy band of supporters of both clubs were either in the stand or sporting large umbrellas.
Though, Newbold had taken an early lead, inside three minutes a cross field kick by their stand-off half saw the DK defence in trouble after it was regained by the Newbold left wing, who was able to evade the cover and score in the corner, the conversion was not added 5-0 to Newbold.
DK started to build pressure in the Newbold half, but it was not leading to points. Then DK were offered a chance to counter attack following a long relieving kick Harry Bayliss instead on kicking the ball straight back to where it had come from, spotted the kick chase was under resourced and picked off the first chaser and was quickly in front of his own players . Thus allowing them to give him to off load to Stef Shillingford, and saw the move continue, and on to Will Hancox who was tackled on the Newbold 22.
Moments later DK were awarded a penalty into the corner and DK into their multi-phase attack, but the Newbold defence remained intact, but a Yellow card for the Newbold hooker for offside. Newbold had weathered that DK storm though and worked their way into the DK half, and were awarded a penalty which was taken quickly and DK were again punished with another penalty for not ten. This time it was within kicking range and a chance to run the clock down on the yellow card.
The Newbold stand-off kicked the penalty, so 8-0 to Newbold.
DK did have a last chance in the first half following a penalty kick to the corner but the chance was lost with some poor execution in the backs into half time.
There appear to have been some pragmatic changes discussed during the interval and an emphasis placed on building pressure through the scoreboard.
Both sides had seen that the key to this particular game was scoreboard control, it was Newbold who first had an opportunity to apply some pressure with a penalty, but it was wide of the mark.
Then, one of those moments of a line out on the DK 22 no immediate danger, a maul set up by DK and a yellow card for the Newbold prop for collapsing the maul, difficult to understand.
DK made their way up the pitch and were awarded a penalty, this time the signal for the posts, and Sam Vaughan reduced the lead to 8-3, DK within seven points as well.
DK brought on their impact players, after 45 minutes and they upped the tempo, but the DK faithful were watching the time elapse and everyone was realising that this was going to be a tight affair.
There were periods of kicking for position by both teams, but it was DK who were starting to edge the field position battle. This led to a DK line out deep in the Newbold 22 but the slipperiness off the ball saw the chance literally slip away, and the thought was that’s it?
Though, the pressure was still in the game, neither side could afford a slip nor the scoreboard would change. Field position is vital in such games and the pressure builds on the team in the lead.
Well the moment came, a 5 metre scrummage to DK on their right wing, ball won, a series on rucks and one off runners saw the ball almost across the entire width of the pitch when one last pick and go saw James Fildes over for a try, 8-8.
With the kick to come, out wide and up steps Sam Vaughan, straight through the middle 10-8 to DK.
Into the dying minutes with Newbold having to change their emphasis to all-out attack and DK rejuvenated at going in front for the first time in the game with minutes left. This all led to the award of a penalty to DK in the dying seconds of the game, Sam for the poles, successful and the final whistle, DK win 13-8.
Relief and into the bar, in come the results and they all fall just right and DK go top.
Next week is Old Halesonians at Heathbrook kick off 2:15, make sure you are there your support is vital.
Both sides had seen that the key to this particular game was scoreboard control, it was Newbold who first had an opportunity to apply some pressure with a penalty, but it was wide of the mark.
Then, one of those moments of a line out on the DK 22 no immediate danger, a maul set up by DK and a yellow card for the Newbold prop for collapsing the maul, difficult to understand.
DK made their way up the pitch and were awarded a penalty, this time the signal for the posts, and Sam Vaughan reduced the lead to 8-3, DK within seven points as well.
DK brought on their impact players, after 45 minutes and they upped the tempo, but the DK faithful were watching the time elapse and everyone was realising that this was going to be a tight affair.
There were periods of kicking for position by both teams, but it was DK who were starting to edge the field position battle. This led to a DK line out deep in the Newbold 22 but the slipperiness off the ball saw the chance literally slip away, and the thought was that’s it?
Though, the pressure was still in the game, neither side could afford a slip nor the scoreboard would change. Field position is vital in such games and the pressure builds on the team in the lead.
Well the moment came, a 5 metre scrummage to DK on their right wing, ball won, a series on rucks and one off runners saw the ball almost across the entire width of the pitch when one last pick and go saw James Fildes over for a try, 8-8.
With the kick to come, out wide and up steps Sam Vaughan, straight through the middle 10-8 to DK.
Into the dying minutes with Newbold having to change their emphasis to all-out attack and DK rejuvenated at going in front for the first time in the game with minutes left. This all led to the award of a penalty to DK in the dying seconds of the game, Sam for the poles, successful and the final whistle, DK win 13-8.
Relief and into the bar, in come the results and they all fall just right and DK go top.
Next week is Old Halesonians at Heathbrook kick off 2:15, make sure you are there your support is vital.
