1st XV Match Report - DRUFC vs Long Eaton RUFC

Biggest game of the season as 2nd place play 3rd vying for that play off place.
Dronfield were forced to make some changes from the team that beat Lincoln, especially in the back row where injury and a Twickenham trip meant all three players from last week were not available. Luckily Dronfield have strength in depth and Hugo Ross was back at number 7, Matt Nesbit re-signing from Sheffield took the number 8 shirt with Colt Will Backhouse returning from Leicester Tigers Academy to make his first team debut at Blindside Flanker. With ace kicker Joe Farrell also, away Scrum half Jake Steade took over the kicking duties with Luke Cocking taking over at full-back.

Dronfield kicked off up the slope and pressed hard for the first 5 minutes but could not score.
Dronfield then had to defend as Long Eaton used the wind and the slope well. Good defence by Dronfield but even better recycling and ball retention by LE and eventually finding the gap for a try on 18 minutes. 0-7

Dronfield hit back 5 minutes later with a nicely timed intercept by Fly Half Alex Arch to run all the way in for a try. 5-7
On 27 minutes LE got their second try. 5-14

Dronfield hit straight back from kick off. A nice catch and unload by Captain Matt Hale to Jake Steade to run in an individual try. 12-14
On 33 minutes more great rugby by Dronfield. Slick passing involving Alex Arch, Reika Mahmid, and Luke Cocking to put winger James Marshall through showing good strength and pace to score. 19-14

Unfortunately some missed tackles let LE straight back in to make the half time score 19-21.

HALF TIME: 19 - 21

LE extended their lead with an early second half try after Dronfield lost the ball. 19-26

On 56 minutes Dronfield leveled the scores, when Luke Cocking went in after multiple phases for the bonus point try and a lovely inside ball from Fly Half Alex. 26-26

Dronfield scored the winning try from secure scrum ball which was spread wide well with neat interplay between Matt Hale and Alex Arch with a great dummy line by AJ Hills releasing Reika Mahmid who gave the ball to Full Back Luke who ran the ball in again. 33-26

Dronfield continued to press and went close with 2 disallowed tries.

FINAL SCORE: 33 - 26

A super game which lived up to the pre-match hype, putting Dronfield 4 points clear in second place.
Next game in 2 weeks away at Loughborough.

SPW