Check out the cool head on Brett to see DMP home
THIS game was only decided with the final kick of the game as home fly-half Brett Connon kept his cool and slotted the winning conversion sending the home supporters into a frenzy after what had been a thrilling encounter. In a ten-try thriller, DMP leapfrogged their visitors
in the league after a game that was end to end.
DMP director of rugby Danny Brown said: “I’m delighted with the way the boys responded from last week’s disappointment down at Blackheath.
“Plymouth Albion are a quality side and the team showed character, kept playing for the full 80 minutes and got what we deserved in the end.”
Despite some early possession for the visitors, it was the home side who regby istered first in this battle between third and fourth, when the Connon brothers combined, with Brett feeding Grant a quick pass in midfield and the fullback ghosted in under the posts, Brett converting.
Plymouth responded brilliantly and in the space of less than ten minutes, enjoyed a purple patch, scoring a hat-trick of tries which threatened to sink the home side.
The first came after an overlap was manufactured the influential Plymouth fly-half Dan Mugford, with centre Harvey Skinner touching down before Mugford crossed and converted his own score. Plymouth’s third was scored by marauding hooker Rupert Freestone, who latched on to a catch and drive lineout.
Just before the interval, DMP managed to construct their second try after good work from home flanker Dave Fisher against his former club. The ball was
whisked out to home wing Shaun McCartney who beat the lone defender and crashed over. Brett Connon added a difficult conversion from the touchline.
With the game finely balanced, home No.8 and skipper Ollie Hodgson added two tries in the space of two minutes. His first came courtesy of a blistering break from DMP winger Adam Radwan while the second came almost from the restart with Simon Uzokwe carry- ing well to start the move. DMP had a try bonus but this was never going to be enough at this stage, as Plymouth took the game to them, with a pushover try via No.8 Eoghan Grace, easily converted by Mugford to edge Plymouth within two points.
In fact Plymouth took the lead with ten to go when replacement John Kelly crossed, converted by Mugford.
With three minutes left DMP mounted a last-gasp effort against 14 men, with Skinner in the bin. The pressure told and Ben Frankland squeezed over before Connon held his nerve to win it.
Plymouth Albion DOR Keiran Hallett said: “There were two good sides here in a terrific game which wouldn’t have looked out of place in the Championship.
“We played well at times and controlled the setpiece, but a lack of focus midway through the second half cost us dear.”