Dronfield 1st XV’s determined effort not enough to gain a second successive home win

After a well-deserved home victory in their last match at Gosforth Fields, Dronfield Rugby Club 1st XV were hoping to repeat that excellent performance when they welcomed, for the first time, Kendal Rugby Club from Cumbria.  With very little points difference between all the teams in the lower half of RFU Regional One (NW), both sides knew the important of this match.

Kendal started the game playing up the slope and initially maintained possession through a number of phases using the full width of the pitch and appearing to be confident in their ability to quickly pass and receive the ball at speed. Dronfield were called upon to weather this storm but were up to the task with solid defensive play. When the home side did eventually gain possession an accurate kick ahead from Harley Saunders was caught at speed by the advancing Jake Steade who created space for the ball to be moved along to Joel Gunn to power over despite attempted tackles being made.  This try gave Dronfield an early 5-0 lead.  From the restart Dronfield were penalised on the 22 line and Kendal elected to kick for goal The successful kick reduced the lead to 5-3 Kendal were now in the ascendancy in part due to Dronfield giving away penalties for not releasing the ball after tackles. The visitors scored two tries in quick succession with well-planned tactical moves within Dronfield’s 22 and went into a 5-15 lead

In a game where the lead would change hands at regular intervals it was now Dronfield who were on top, Harley Saunders scoring out wide after impressive Dronfield back play and then Joel Gunn with his second of the afternoon , The conversions were not successful  and so the scores were tied at 15-15  Unfortunately the usually reliable goal kicking of Harley

Saunders was not apparent and another opportunity to add to Dronfield score was lost when a penalty attempt drifted wide, Just before the break it was Dronfield who were penalised and the successful kick gave Kendal a 15-18 half -time lead

As the second half began Dronfield realised that they needed to be more patient when in possession and build attacks up through controlled phases and not, in attempting to keep the ball alive, lose possession through inaccurate rushed passes.   To their credit their work rate increased and they played more to their strengths When a penalty kick to the corner resulted in an attacking lineout the catch and drive from Dronfield took them over the try-line with George Burch being awarded the try and giving the home side a try bonus point. The successful conversion now gave Dronfield a 22-18 lead with 15 minutes of the second half gone

In a game in which both sides attempted to play exciting rugby, play moved from end-to-end. Kendal regained the lead with a well worked try and then an accurate penalty for the visitors stretched this lead to 22-26. The pendulum swung back in Dronfield’s favour once more with an accurate penalty attempt by Jake Steade after a Kendal infringement. With the difference in the scores now being a single point 25-26, both sides felt they had the opportunity to gain the victory

Unfortunately for Dronfield a long Kendal kick up field was not dealt with by Dronfield and the Kendal winger was rewarded for his determined follow -up by touching the ball down for a try which with the conversion increased Kendal’s lead to 25-33. For the final minutes of the match Dronfield were encamped in Kendal’s 22 but despite concerted efforts, they were unable to add to their points tally, To the neutral the game had been a very entertaining affair with outstanding attacking and defence from both sides

Dronfield will realise that, as in other games this season, they have been  very close to winning ,but at present, seen unable to finish off many promising attacking opportunities.  No one can fault their commitment and support for each other Hopefully in the near future their skills on the field will be rewarded with  a well deserve victory