1st XV Match Report (Midlands Cup) - Crewe & Nantwich vs DRUFC

CREWE CUT DOWN DRONFIELD!

This fixture only being confirmed with short notice meant there was a negative effect on player availability. A good opportunity to give others some game time and to try some positional changes. Damien Pope started in the front row and young lock Stan Hoare got a start also. Mike Wetherill moved to six and Greg Cooke to number 8.

Dronfield started well with an early run by the returning Joe Farrell. The windy conditions were making it difficult for the kickers but Joe played the conditions well with a kick on leaving the opponents floundering as he re-collected and put Dronfield on the attack with a gap opening for Fly half Alex Arch to score the opening try. 0-7

On 10 minutes Dronfield again conceded a penalty defending in their 22 which was to become a consistent feature in the game. Crewe closed the gap to 3-7
Dronfield's lineout was struggling in the windy conditions which was not a problem for the home side who, on 18 minutes, set up a pack drive from a lineout and scored a try to take the lead. 10-7

On 24 minutes a good positional diagonal kick by Joe Farrell put Dronfield into the opposing 22.
At last a good lineout ball was secured and Dronfield set up the play well with good movement and recycling building the pressure for prop Damien Pope to power through from close to the line. 10-12

Another penalty in the 22 put Crewe back in front 13-12 three minutes later.

On 33 minutes Dronfield re-took the lead with an excellent run by winger Reika Mahmid from lineout ball in a run down the line with only inches to play with.

HALF TIME 13-17

The second half belonged to Crewe and Nantwich as they ran in three unanswered tries with the hooker being the star of the team scoring 2 and setting up the other.

Final score 32-17