The DMP ladies welcomed Richmond to the Northern Echo Arena on Sunday 1st November 2015; the temperature in the stadium was a balmy 13 degrees with plenty of sunshine. Richmond top the premiership and so far undefeated in the league this season would prove stiff opposition for a young DMP side much depleted by injuries.
Richmond got the game underway and so began a very difficult opening to the game as Richmond showed exactly why they top the premiership; they immediately put massive pressure on DMP competing ferociously at every breakdown and using their massive pack to gain territory.
The DMP girls fronted up, this was typified by full back Emma Warrington, who despite her slight stature put her body on the line to prevent a certain try with a fantastic last ditch tackle.
DMP turned over the ball on their own 5 meter line and much to their credit identified space out on the left hand side and tried to play through the hands unfortunately the ball was knocked on and picked up by Richmond’s Captain Jackie Shiels who scored to the right hand side of the post (unconverted) making the score on 6 minutes DMP 0 Richmond 5.
Captain fantastic Tamara Taylor galvanised her young charges and drove them forward, leading by example, the team responded as great defence from the forwards forced Richmond to rethink their strategy, Richmond cleverly chose to kick through turning the DMP defence with well executed grubber kicks.
Richmond’s power and dominance and were on display at every scrum as the well organised pack marched DMP backwards. This was evident on 13 minutes when Richmond were awarded a scrum 15 metres out from DMPs try line they marched DMP backwards leaving a simple dot down for Richmond’s Sam McCarthy (converted) leaving the score DMP 0 Richmond 12.
This DMP side cannot be faulted for effort, as they continued to scrap for possession, typified by Ruth Laybourn who bravely dived on the floor to secure a loose ball unfortunately sustaining a facial injury in the process which led to her leaving the pitch in order to ensure she it fit for the forthcoming England autumn internationals. Ruth was replaced by the uncompromising Lauren Roberts who’s physicality would be welcomed as the game got underway.
Richmond’s tails were up and they continued to ramp up the pressure another scrum awarded to them deep in DMPs territory had the same result as their strong and well drilled pack marched DMP back again and Richmond’s Rebecca Rowe dotted down (not converted) leaving the score at 19 minutes DMP 0 Richmond 17.
The DMP girls were working hard around the park to keep Richmond at bay but space was found by Richmond on the 29th minute as Stacey White turned on the pace to round the DMP defence to Score on the left hand side (not converted) leaving the score DMP 0 Richmond 22.
DMPs troubles increased as the influential Fiona Davidson was shown a yellow card, Richmond capitalised on this by shifting the ball neatly through the backs from left to right stretching DMPs hardworking defence, a gap was found on 37 minutes by Richmond’s Leanne Riley who scored under the posts converted leaving the score DMP 0 Richmond 29.
DMP got the game underway, Richmond secured the ball and ran it straight back at them great recycling of the ball and passing out of the tackle allowed Richmond to penetrate deep into DMPs half, quick hands through the backs saw Richmond’s Stacey White to score her second of the day in the right hand corner (not converted) leaving the score at half time DMP 0 Richmond 34.
The DMP girls came out for the second half renewed and started the second half at a far higher tempo making life more difficult for Richmond
On the 53rd minute DMP were awarded a penalty inside their own half, thanks to some great work at the breakdown from the forwards, a quick tap from Latoya Mason and a great pass out to Rebecca Scholes who put boot to ball with a fantastic kick up the wing allowing DMPs Rachael Woosey to turn on the after burners out pacing the Richmond defenders to show great skill at pace to pick up the ball and dot over the line to score (not converted) leaving the score DMP 5 Richmond 34.
As you would expect from a team at the top of the premiership, Richmond responded as Claire Davey crossed the line (not converted) to leave the score DMP 5 Richmond 39.
Despite the hard work rate demonstrated by this young DMP side, Richmond continued to use their forwards to great effect as Rebecca Rowe crossed the line on the 70th minute for her second try of the game (not converted) leaving the score DMP 5 Richmond 44.
Richmond continued to show the power demonstrated throughout the match as the ball was trundled forward through the pack who then moved the ball quickly out to Sam McCarthy who crossed the try line for the second time (not converted) leaving the final score DMP 5 DMP 49.
Although the result doesn’t reflect the hard work and endeavor applied in this young depleted DMP squad, the girls can take heart from a much improved second half against the premiership pace setters.
Back of the match Lauren Roberts
Forward of the match Sarah Bush
Congratulations to Tamara Taylor, Ruth Laybourn, LaToya Mason and Abbie Scott who have all been selected to represent England in the forthcoming autumn internationals.
Above image shows Tamara Taylor (facing) and Fiona Davidson (9)
Report courtesy of DMP Sharks
