DMP made the long journey down south to the Jack Williams Ground in Kent to face Aylesford in a bottom of the table clash.
DMP came with a young Squad because players were missing due to injury and England duty. It was a very overcast and damp day with a stiff breeze blowing across the ground. Ground conditions were very boggy which would suit the more experienced Aylesford pack.
Aylesford got the game underway, the ball was caught by DMP who ran it back with pace at Aylesford and so began a game which for the first 21 mins would remain fairly even.
Both teams ventured into each other’s 22 without success as knock on’s and unforced errors meant there was no reward for their endeavours.
On 21 minutes Aylesford had success, when DMP lost control of a scrum on their own 10 metre line, Aylesford were quick to capitalise on the mistake as quick hands through the backs led to a score in the right hand corner for no 14 Marta Fadda (not converted) leaving the score Aylesford 5 DMP 0.
DMP responded immediately on 25 mins, Fiona Davidson quickly changed direction racing to the right hand side of the pitch, passing the ball out to Rebecca Scholes who gave a measured pass to the on rushing Amy Needham, who had taken a great line, she collected the ball fixed the defender and delayed her pass perfectly for Rachel Woosey to collect the ball, turn on the afterburners, evading the cover tackles with fantastic footwork, to score in the right hand corner (not converted) levelling the score Aylesford 5 DMP 5.
The game was even again as both teams try to find an opening, Aylesford found themselves deep in DMPs half, some great handling fed the ball out to the right hand side and Aylesford’s Georgia Grey powered over in the corner (not converted) leaving the score on 39 mins Aylesford 10 DMP 5 which was the score as the half ended.
DMP got the second half underway as they started the game with a higher tempo. Emma Warrington surged up the right hand side but was brought down by an excellent tackle. Fi Davidson was the first to the ruck and used all her scrum half knowledge to surge up the blindside, outpacing the Aylesford defence, to score a fantastic try under the post, converted by Sam Jamieson, to leave the score on 41 minutes Aylesford 10 DMP 12.
The game continued with both sides fighting for an advantage. On 52 minutes Fi Davidson found herself first to the ruck again on the 22 metre line and in a carbon copy of her first try she sniped through the ruck to race away and score to the left hand side of the posts (not converted) leaving the score Aylesford 10 – DMP 17.
Aylesford responded again when DMP fell off a tackle on Georgia Grey who took full advantage by scoring her second of the day under the post, converted by Tayla Kinsey, equalling the score on 54 minutes Aylesford 17 DMP 17. On 68 minutes Aylesford off loading in the tackle made great ground Tayla Kinsey surged forward but was stopped short of the try line by a great tackle by DMPs Ruth Nash but Georgia Grey picked from the bottom of the ruck to dive over to score her third of the day (converted) leaving the score Aylesford 24 DMP 17.
This young DMP side responded and took the game to Aylesford who defended their slender lead with a well organised defence.
DMP did break through on 79 minutes when Caity Mattinson took a quick tap penalty out on the left hand side on the 5 metre line passed to Sam Jamieson who scored (not converted) leaving the final score Aylesford 24 DMP 22.
Back of the match was Kat Hobson with a great performance on the wing
Forward of the match Anna Wolfe who had a great game on her debut.
Report by Sam Jamieson The Changing Room for DMP Sharks
