Sat 23 Nov 2019, 14:15
It’s overcast with the odd spot of rain, windy and the pitch is heavy, and almost forgot it is not warm, put these together and it must be another DK road trip to our old friends at Stoke on Trent. Our recent record at Stoke on Trent showed that we had lost the last two visits narrowly, so it was likely to be a close hard fought game.
DK had the wind at their backs during the first half and started well, and slipped into their multi-phase play and immediately ramped up the pressure on Stoke, though were unable to move the scoreboard.
During this period of play there was an excellent kick ahead by Sam Vaughan that trickled into touch on the Stoke 5 metre line and Harry Bayliss, penalty kick that led to a 5 metre lineout which was followed by a series of pick and goes which Stoke did well to keep out. Also a flowing three-quarter move which looked to have worked an overlap for Charlie Baffour, but it was stopped by a knock on.
Then after 22 minutes Stoke on Trent had a period of play and had a scrummage close to the DK line and scored with a back row move, which will no doubt be discussed during the coming week, so 5-0 to Stoke.
DK steadied the ship and started to reassert themselves on the game, and it was 10 minutes later when the scores were levelled. A Danny Hawkins break in midfield allowed the DK backs to move the ball at pace to their right, with Sam Vaughan able to find an edge and make considerable progress down the right wing, the remainder of the backs had continued to make supporting runs on Sam’s inside when he was stopped Tommy Walker was able to continue the move with a pacey run into contact deep in the Stoke 22, once again the support was on his inside and Stef Shillingford was able to breakthrough for the score, no conversion so 5-5.
DK were then disrupted when, James Jefferson had to leave the field following a clash of heads with a Stoke flanker, both players suffered cuts following the collision, which appeared to a rugby incident
Just before the half time whistle Harry Bayliss, put in a raking cross field kick which moved the game well back into the Stoke half, from the ensuing lineout came a DK penalty, Sam Vaughan was called up and slotted the opportunity, so DK into the lead 8-5.
DK had the wind at their backs during the first half and started well, and slipped into their multi-phase play and immediately ramped up the pressure on Stoke, though were unable to move the scoreboard.
During this period of play there was an excellent kick ahead by Sam Vaughan that trickled into touch on the Stoke 5 metre line and Harry Bayliss, penalty kick that led to a 5 metre lineout which was followed by a series of pick and goes which Stoke did well to keep out. Also a flowing three-quarter move which looked to have worked an overlap for Charlie Baffour, but it was stopped by a knock on.
Then after 22 minutes Stoke on Trent had a period of play and had a scrummage close to the DK line and scored with a back row move, which will no doubt be discussed during the coming week, so 5-0 to Stoke.
DK steadied the ship and started to reassert themselves on the game, and it was 10 minutes later when the scores were levelled. A Danny Hawkins break in midfield allowed the DK backs to move the ball at pace to their right, with Sam Vaughan able to find an edge and make considerable progress down the right wing, the remainder of the backs had continued to make supporting runs on Sam’s inside when he was stopped Tommy Walker was able to continue the move with a pacey run into contact deep in the Stoke 22, once again the support was on his inside and Stef Shillingford was able to breakthrough for the score, no conversion so 5-5.
DK were then disrupted when, James Jefferson had to leave the field following a clash of heads with a Stoke flanker, both players suffered cuts following the collision, which appeared to a rugby incident
Just before the half time whistle Harry Bayliss, put in a raking cross field kick which moved the game well back into the Stoke half, from the ensuing lineout came a DK penalty, Sam Vaughan was called up and slotted the opportunity, so DK into the lead 8-5.
The half time instructions would have been interesting with the DK team already disrupted by injury and playing into the weather in the second half.
It was the case that the first 30 minutes of the second half was full of effort by both teams, but that effort was in effect cancelled out, by the two defences and the increasingly heavy conditions. Though, DK have the defence that has conceded the second smallest amount of points and were starting to gain territorial advantage. Though this effort put in by DK was almost nullified when a penalty was awarded on the DK 10 metre line up stepped our nemesis Andrew Marsh, but this time the kick slipped wide.
Then, there was a questionable tackle on Sam Vaughan who was counter attacking with support in the open, and an opportunity was developing, the referee did not share my opinion on this one. Though, it did seem to reinvigorate DK and moments later the DK forwards made a breach in the Stoke defence on the DK right and interplay by the forwards led to Pete Griffiths rampaging over for a try, and a conversion from Sam made it 15-5, well into the last 10 minutes.
The final passages of play reflected the scoreboard from both sides DK were intent on moving the ball deep into the Stoke half and Stoke were looking to counter attack at every opportunity. Though, DK almost sealed the game when a clearing kick was fielded by Charlie Baffour in midfield, Charlie saw the opportunity to make ground running the ball against a team which was committed to going forward, he made head way and linked with Tommy Walker, who saw that there were acres of space in front of him, a kick ahead towards the Stoke goal line, Stoke’s last line of defence got there just before Tommy, who was adjudged to have knocked on. Stoke managed to escape from this position.
DK were next adjudged to have held on to a ball following a tackle on their own 10 metre line and Stoke opted to kick for goal to try for the losing bonus point, if they were to try and win they needed two scores with time running out. This time their centre Marsh slotted it 15-8.
The last few plays did not see any further scoring.
DK have a week off, and then it’s the neighbours at Heathbrook.
It was the case that the first 30 minutes of the second half was full of effort by both teams, but that effort was in effect cancelled out, by the two defences and the increasingly heavy conditions. Though, DK have the defence that has conceded the second smallest amount of points and were starting to gain territorial advantage. Though this effort put in by DK was almost nullified when a penalty was awarded on the DK 10 metre line up stepped our nemesis Andrew Marsh, but this time the kick slipped wide.
Then, there was a questionable tackle on Sam Vaughan who was counter attacking with support in the open, and an opportunity was developing, the referee did not share my opinion on this one. Though, it did seem to reinvigorate DK and moments later the DK forwards made a breach in the Stoke defence on the DK right and interplay by the forwards led to Pete Griffiths rampaging over for a try, and a conversion from Sam made it 15-5, well into the last 10 minutes.
The final passages of play reflected the scoreboard from both sides DK were intent on moving the ball deep into the Stoke half and Stoke were looking to counter attack at every opportunity. Though, DK almost sealed the game when a clearing kick was fielded by Charlie Baffour in midfield, Charlie saw the opportunity to make ground running the ball against a team which was committed to going forward, he made head way and linked with Tommy Walker, who saw that there were acres of space in front of him, a kick ahead towards the Stoke goal line, Stoke’s last line of defence got there just before Tommy, who was adjudged to have knocked on. Stoke managed to escape from this position.
DK were next adjudged to have held on to a ball following a tackle on their own 10 metre line and Stoke opted to kick for goal to try for the losing bonus point, if they were to try and win they needed two scores with time running out. This time their centre Marsh slotted it 15-8.
The last few plays did not see any further scoring.
DK have a week off, and then it’s the neighbours at Heathbrook.
