Sat 11 Jan 2020
DK at Hereford is one of those fixtures earmarked when they are published, and it still retains some of that pre-league flavour, hard rugby on the pitch and fellowship off the pitch. This season Hereford were glad to see DK arrive for a home game, 91 days since their last, especially following some of the recent rainfall, which was very evident on the way down. On arrival, pitch looked heavy, and it was clear that the green would soon give way to brown.
The game was one of those games which was a cracker for the armchair coach, with the benefit of hindsight; this should have been done this instead of that. Though that is not reality, and you have to stick to your team principles. For most of the game the two teams were committed to playing the game in the opposition half it certainly was not the day to spend time in your own 22 with ball retention always carrying that extra risk brought about by the conditions. In the first half it was DK playing with the slope who won the territory battle, but the pragmatic Hereford approach saw them kick two penalties and edge to a 6-0 lead. Into the dying minutes of the first half and Hereford kicked into the corner, but the complexion of the game changed in an instant, DK pilfered the lineout, and started to counter attack, the ball was moved down the field and DK were able to marshal their attack quickly, the ball was fed to the forwards gaining ground on the DK left, the outside backs had realigned to the right and the ball was moved out and into the line came full back Sam Vaughan who checked back inside and past one defender, then out to Tommy Walker who threatened the Hereford line but was stopped but was able to offload inside to Stef Shillingford, who burst over the line, Sam then put DK in front with the conversion 7-6 to DK.
DK went into the interval with a slender lead, but were playing up the slope in the second half, though those with experience of this fixture would know that Hereford use the slope well.
The game was one of those games which was a cracker for the armchair coach, with the benefit of hindsight; this should have been done this instead of that. Though that is not reality, and you have to stick to your team principles. For most of the game the two teams were committed to playing the game in the opposition half it certainly was not the day to spend time in your own 22 with ball retention always carrying that extra risk brought about by the conditions. In the first half it was DK playing with the slope who won the territory battle, but the pragmatic Hereford approach saw them kick two penalties and edge to a 6-0 lead. Into the dying minutes of the first half and Hereford kicked into the corner, but the complexion of the game changed in an instant, DK pilfered the lineout, and started to counter attack, the ball was moved down the field and DK were able to marshal their attack quickly, the ball was fed to the forwards gaining ground on the DK left, the outside backs had realigned to the right and the ball was moved out and into the line came full back Sam Vaughan who checked back inside and past one defender, then out to Tommy Walker who threatened the Hereford line but was stopped but was able to offload inside to Stef Shillingford, who burst over the line, Sam then put DK in front with the conversion 7-6 to DK.
DK went into the interval with a slender lead, but were playing up the slope in the second half, though those with experience of this fixture would know that Hereford use the slope well.
The second half followed the pattern of the first half with DK having the majority of the possession, and field position. This was starting to wear down the Hereford defence, but there was still the need for points with a one point lead.
DK thought they achieved this when following a series of pick and goes saw James Fildes under the posts, only for the referee Mr Leadbeater to disallow the try because he had unintentionally inferred with the play prior to the try being scored so had disallowed it.
Moments later DK when from one point in front to four behind, Hereford had moved down the field their attack was close to their right touchline when the ball was back into the hands of their 10, who kicked open but shallow to their left wing who was able to kick the ball ahead without picking it up and the ball stopped in the in goal area and he was able to reach the ball first and dab it down for a try, no conversion so 11-7 to Hereford.
The Hereford hooker was yellow carded on 65 minutes, and DK started a final assault on the Hereford line, and were awarded a scrummage in the Hereford 22, the scrum option taken and the DK pack get the drive on, closer to the posts and another penalty, again the scrummage, once again the DK is driving this time a yellow card for the Hereford Prop for collapsing, it’s now 75 minutes, scrummage option again, but this time its uncontested, after a period of explanation from the Referee. Needless to say to Hereford’s relief, the line holds firm and they take the win.
Make sure you are at Heathbrook next Saturday, for another important game against Kenilworth.
DK thought they achieved this when following a series of pick and goes saw James Fildes under the posts, only for the referee Mr Leadbeater to disallow the try because he had unintentionally inferred with the play prior to the try being scored so had disallowed it.
Moments later DK when from one point in front to four behind, Hereford had moved down the field their attack was close to their right touchline when the ball was back into the hands of their 10, who kicked open but shallow to their left wing who was able to kick the ball ahead without picking it up and the ball stopped in the in goal area and he was able to reach the ball first and dab it down for a try, no conversion so 11-7 to Hereford.
The Hereford hooker was yellow carded on 65 minutes, and DK started a final assault on the Hereford line, and were awarded a scrummage in the Hereford 22, the scrum option taken and the DK pack get the drive on, closer to the posts and another penalty, again the scrummage, once again the DK is driving this time a yellow card for the Hereford Prop for collapsing, it’s now 75 minutes, scrummage option again, but this time its uncontested, after a period of explanation from the Referee. Needless to say to Hereford’s relief, the line holds firm and they take the win.
Make sure you are at Heathbrook next Saturday, for another important game against Kenilworth.
