Sat 9 Oct 2021
The North starting line up included hooker Luis Evitt making his 50th first team appearance and local lad Conor Barker making his first tem debut on the wing following his progression through the Bridgnorth junior section. DK took an early lead with a penalty following an infringement at a ruck. This was cancelled out almost immediately when Patrick Smallman crashed over for his debut first team try taking a couple of defenders over with him, Elliott Murphy adding the conversion. North then declined kickable penalties opting for field position but were unable to add any further scores. DK had their winger sin binned for taking out a North player in the air but whilst down to 14 men they added two further penalties to lead 9-7 at the break.
Following the restart North brought on Jerome Moore at loose head prop to make his first team debut. From a scrum penalty awarded close to the DK line scrum half Gareth Bladen darted over for a converted try to restore the lead. Number eight Connor Nicholls then extended the lead when he collected his own charge down to score in the corner. Following another DK yellow card awarded for a high tackle North took advantage of the extra man with Nicholls adding his second try in the opposite corner to secure the bonus point. The scoring was completed with DK still a man down when Marley Finn picked up a loose ball to dab down under the posts after Josh Winfield had collected his own kick ahead only to be tackled just short of the DK line. Murphy added the extras for 24 unanswered points in a second half dominated by the hosts. A break from league rugby next week is followed by another local derby on 23rd October when North travel to Newport for a League and North Midlands Cup Quarter Final double header.
Steve Farrell
