1st XV Match Report - DRUFC vs Ashby RUFC
The Hunt For Glory
Dronfield welcomed newly promoted Ashby to Gosforth fields for this Midlands 2 East (n) encounter. Dronfield played up the slope for the first half.
There was a welcome return for back row Jon Hunt who started from the bench and after an impressive hat-trick for the 2nd XV against Ashbourne last week, there was a start on the wing for Reika Mahmid. Joe Farrell was away so a re-shuffle in the backline was required with Luke Cocking moving to full back and James Marshall coming in at inside centre.
Dronfield were quick to open the scoring on 2 minutes when a penalty gave them a lineout close to the line and the pack merged and drove well with hooker Paul Joyce scoring the try. a conversion by Full back Luke Cocking followed, 7-0.
Ten minutes later and good lineout ball again put Dronfield in the driving seat but this time they chose to spread the ball and put winger Reika Mahmid in at the corner. 12-0
On 16 minutes Ashby failed to close the gap from a penalty in front of the posts.
Twelve minutes later and Dronfield conceded another soft penalty, this time scored to close the score to 12-3
On 33 minutes a good attack by Scrum Half Jake Steade and Flanker Hugo Ross resulted in a penalty for a deliberate knock on, safely slotted by Luke. 15-3
Just before the break a surprise free kick caught Dronfield knapping and Ashby took advantage to score a good try. 15-10
HALF TIME 15-10
The start of the second half saw Ashby camped in the Dronfield 22 and some desperate Dronfield defending. Just as it looked as if Ashby had the upperhand a brilliant scrum against the head rescued Dronfield and enabled them to clear their lines. Take a bow front row - Charlie Taylor, Paul Joyce and Mike Wetherill.
On 46 minutes flanker Jon Hunt stepped on to the pitch and over the try line with his first touch of the ball and game time of the season, after good work by number 8 Chris Hale set up the chance. 22-10
Four minutes later and Ashby struck back after presing the line. 22-15
On 58 minutes a good run from open play By Jon Hunt took Dronfield into the 22, an unload to Jake who gave a good pass to Lock Nige Westerman who took it close to the line with good re-cycling putting Centre Alistair Hills in half a gap to score the bonus point try. 27-15
Injured Club Captain Matt Hale was looking for some impact from the bench and winger Jack Longden was fired up and duly obliged, dotting down near the posts when the ball was secured and spread well from the scrum. 32-15
Dronfield took their foot off the gas and Ashby took advantage with 2 late tries to give them 2 bonus points.
FINAL SCORE 32-29
Try
Paul Joyce
Try
Reika Mahmid
Try
Jon Hunt
Try
Alistair Hills
Try
Jack LongdenKey moments
Highlights
As it happened
- Dronfield
- Ashby
- 0
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Paul Joyce Try 3:00'
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Luke Cocking Conversion 3:30'
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Reika Mahmid Try 12:00'
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Penalty 28:00'
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Luke Cocking Penalty 34:00'
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Try 37:00'
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Conversion 37:30'
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Wayne Elloway Sub Off 40:00'
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Jon Hunt Sub On 40:00'
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Jon Hunt Try 46:00'
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Luke Cocking Conversion 46:30'
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Try 51:00'
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Alistair Hills Try 60:00'
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Jack Longden Sub On 65:00'
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Pat Selkirk Sub Off 65:00'
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Jack Longden Try 72:00'
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Damien Pope Sub On 73:00'
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Charlie Taylor Sub Off 73:00'
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Try 75:00'
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Conversion 75:30'
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Pat Selkirk Sub On 77:00'
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Jake Steade Sub Off 77:00'
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Try 79:00'
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Conversion 79:30'
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Team selection
Cocking, Luke
Mahmid, Reika
Hills, Alistair
Marshall, James
Selkirk, Pat
Arch, Alex
Steade, Jake
Hale, Chris
Ross, Hugo
Cooke, Greg
Elloway, Wayne
Westerman, Nigel
Wetherill, Mike
Joyce, Paul
Taylor, Charlie
League round up
Other Midlands 2 East (North) results
Comments
League table
| # | Team | Pl | Pts |
| 1. | Melbourne | 22 | 98 |
| 2. | Dronfield | 22 | 77 |
| 3. | Long Eaton | 21 | 69 |
| 4. | Ashbourne | 22 | 61 |
| 5. | Loughborough | 21 | 57 |
| 6. | Lincoln | 22 | 53 |
| 7. | Market Rasen & Louth | 21 | 53 |
Team sponsors
Affiliations
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