Sat 8 Feb 2020
DK lost 17-20 to Lichfield with the last kick of the match which is difficult to take at the best of times, but it was in fact a game that those of a blue and blue hue would reflect on and say, “Why didn’t we win?”
The overture to Storm Ciara, had an effect with a strong wind blowing, mainly across the pitch towards the stand, it proved to make goal kicking difficult, in fact only 2 out of 6 conversions were successful, and only one penalty made in over. Though, there were six tries, three apiece, and considering the conditions, which also hindered good handling, the game was played at a tempo and there were good passages of phase play from both teams.
The game started with DK playing away from the clubhouse and they were quickest out of the blocks and started to play the game in the Lichfield half. The first real opportunity game following a Harry Bayliss penalty into the scoreboard corner it was very close to the corner flag, but DK were awarded a 5 metre line out, which did not lead to anything. DK still playing the majority of the game in the Lichfield half, were awarded a penalty which was quickly taken, and Ryan Smitheman was off down the DK left wing when a foot in touch, stopped his progress.
DK were awarded a penalty following another spell of good attacking play and again it was into the corner this time Wanderer’s corner. This time it was won well in the middle of the line out, and a drive started towards the line, Arran Hudson DK’s back man got his side of the maul going forward and cleared a path for his fellow prop Kieron Williams to exploit with a determined drive for the line, but the try was to windward of the posts and Sam’s kick missed, 5-0 to DK.
Lichfield were then able to exert some pressure of their own and started to redress the territory statistics, and in doing so mounted and attack that caused the DK defence to overcommit in the midfield and this gave them an overlap on their left wing and it was their full back who made the bust and scored, but it was also to windward of the posts and the conversion was no good so 5-5.
DK were back on the attack and put in some good multi-phase attacks, the last of which led to DK making over the line, but referee was on the other side to the ball, and he adjudged it held up over the line, a try may well have been given if he was on the other side.
So, a 5 metre scrummage DK put in, James Ryan hooks the ball, a controlled wheel then a drive, then over to the back row the ball is picked up and Danny Hawkins is diving over for DK’s second try, 10-5 to DK.
The final minutes of the first half, were perhaps the defining period of the game, DK were having increasing success down their left wing, one three-quarter movement saw Stef Shillingford and Will Hancox both stretch the defence and Ryan Smitheman was given a chance, which the Lichfield defence dealt with that threat.
Moments later, off a ruck saw a similar attack develop, with the centres once again making progress, this time it was James Ryan on the outside, and the promising opportunity was halted by a knock on.
Lichfield then took advantage of a penalty for offside and were able to astutely use the wind and get the ball into touch in the DK 22, from this they were able to mount a concerned attack, some midfield runs from their back row, shortened the DK defensive line and their left wing was able to beat the scrambling DK defence on the outside, the kick was missed and the half time whistle went 10-10.
The overture to Storm Ciara, had an effect with a strong wind blowing, mainly across the pitch towards the stand, it proved to make goal kicking difficult, in fact only 2 out of 6 conversions were successful, and only one penalty made in over. Though, there were six tries, three apiece, and considering the conditions, which also hindered good handling, the game was played at a tempo and there were good passages of phase play from both teams.
The game started with DK playing away from the clubhouse and they were quickest out of the blocks and started to play the game in the Lichfield half. The first real opportunity game following a Harry Bayliss penalty into the scoreboard corner it was very close to the corner flag, but DK were awarded a 5 metre line out, which did not lead to anything. DK still playing the majority of the game in the Lichfield half, were awarded a penalty which was quickly taken, and Ryan Smitheman was off down the DK left wing when a foot in touch, stopped his progress.
DK were awarded a penalty following another spell of good attacking play and again it was into the corner this time Wanderer’s corner. This time it was won well in the middle of the line out, and a drive started towards the line, Arran Hudson DK’s back man got his side of the maul going forward and cleared a path for his fellow prop Kieron Williams to exploit with a determined drive for the line, but the try was to windward of the posts and Sam’s kick missed, 5-0 to DK.
Lichfield were then able to exert some pressure of their own and started to redress the territory statistics, and in doing so mounted and attack that caused the DK defence to overcommit in the midfield and this gave them an overlap on their left wing and it was their full back who made the bust and scored, but it was also to windward of the posts and the conversion was no good so 5-5.
DK were back on the attack and put in some good multi-phase attacks, the last of which led to DK making over the line, but referee was on the other side to the ball, and he adjudged it held up over the line, a try may well have been given if he was on the other side.
So, a 5 metre scrummage DK put in, James Ryan hooks the ball, a controlled wheel then a drive, then over to the back row the ball is picked up and Danny Hawkins is diving over for DK’s second try, 10-5 to DK.
The final minutes of the first half, were perhaps the defining period of the game, DK were having increasing success down their left wing, one three-quarter movement saw Stef Shillingford and Will Hancox both stretch the defence and Ryan Smitheman was given a chance, which the Lichfield defence dealt with that threat.
Moments later, off a ruck saw a similar attack develop, with the centres once again making progress, this time it was James Ryan on the outside, and the promising opportunity was halted by a knock on.
Lichfield then took advantage of a penalty for offside and were able to astutely use the wind and get the ball into touch in the DK 22, from this they were able to mount a concerned attack, some midfield runs from their back row, shortened the DK defensive line and their left wing was able to beat the scrambling DK defence on the outside, the kick was missed and the half time whistle went 10-10.
The half time team talks would have been interesting, and the strategies for the coming half.
In general the game tightened up in the second half, this being overt pragmatism from the two teams, field position was going to be the key and both teams were equipped to punish silly handling errors. Akin to the first half both teams were on top for passages of play, Lichfield had been forced to use their bench through injury and they used this to their advantage.
It was Lichfield who opened the scoring in the second half from a central scrummage in the DK 22; they were able to create an overload close to the scrummage and scored under the DK posts and the conversion, so 17-10 to Lichfield.
The game started to follow a similar pattern to the first half and it was DK who were starting to edge the battle and once again Ryan Smitheman was put into space and was hauled down just short of the line. Once again DK supporters were fuming, the Lichfield scrum half was Yellow carded for tackling a man without the ball, DK were held up over the line.
The game restarted with a scrummage 5, DK put in. It was not clear to the crowd what had in fact happened. Bearing in mind the restart, had DK asked for a scrummage on award of a penalty?
Did the yellow card, open up the opportunity for a Penalty try? Which is 7 points on a day when kicking was very difficult?
Well it was play on as it were.
DK did level the scores a little later a Joe Dunn snipe from a ruck saw him a full stretch and just making the line close to the posts, Sam Vaughan added the extras 17-17.
Into the final quarter and both sides going for it, but the try seemed more likely to be the deciding method of scoring than the kick. Both teams pressed but a raking diagonal punt from Harry Bayliss bobbled into touch in front of the clubhouse. This led to DK’s last period of pressure on the Lichfield line, but their defence held firm and DK were presented with a penalty around the Lichfield 10 metre line almost in front of the posts; Sam with the aid of the wind put it wide.
Lichfield, then progressed down the field, and started to apply pressure to the DK defence, with time running out, and all three results still possible. With time almost up, up goes the arm, penalty to Lichfield, but they have the ball and play continues, the clock continues. Finally, back for the penalty, with the time for the kick it’s the last event of the game.
The kick is up.
It’s over.
Referee’s final whistle
Lichfield win 20-17
In general the game tightened up in the second half, this being overt pragmatism from the two teams, field position was going to be the key and both teams were equipped to punish silly handling errors. Akin to the first half both teams were on top for passages of play, Lichfield had been forced to use their bench through injury and they used this to their advantage.
It was Lichfield who opened the scoring in the second half from a central scrummage in the DK 22; they were able to create an overload close to the scrummage and scored under the DK posts and the conversion, so 17-10 to Lichfield.
The game started to follow a similar pattern to the first half and it was DK who were starting to edge the battle and once again Ryan Smitheman was put into space and was hauled down just short of the line. Once again DK supporters were fuming, the Lichfield scrum half was Yellow carded for tackling a man without the ball, DK were held up over the line.
The game restarted with a scrummage 5, DK put in. It was not clear to the crowd what had in fact happened. Bearing in mind the restart, had DK asked for a scrummage on award of a penalty?
Did the yellow card, open up the opportunity for a Penalty try? Which is 7 points on a day when kicking was very difficult?
Well it was play on as it were.
DK did level the scores a little later a Joe Dunn snipe from a ruck saw him a full stretch and just making the line close to the posts, Sam Vaughan added the extras 17-17.
Into the final quarter and both sides going for it, but the try seemed more likely to be the deciding method of scoring than the kick. Both teams pressed but a raking diagonal punt from Harry Bayliss bobbled into touch in front of the clubhouse. This led to DK’s last period of pressure on the Lichfield line, but their defence held firm and DK were presented with a penalty around the Lichfield 10 metre line almost in front of the posts; Sam with the aid of the wind put it wide.
Lichfield, then progressed down the field, and started to apply pressure to the DK defence, with time running out, and all three results still possible. With time almost up, up goes the arm, penalty to Lichfield, but they have the ball and play continues, the clock continues. Finally, back for the penalty, with the time for the kick it’s the last event of the game.
The kick is up.
It’s over.
Referee’s final whistle
Lichfield win 20-17
