What a performance away from home, well second half any way
Travelled away to Durham trying to cement our 3rd place in the league against 4th place opposition, to a place where we rarely win
In claggy conditions the game kicks off and the home side take an early lead with a penalty on 3 minutes and then a converted try after 6. 10-0
I was starting to think here we go again another defeat away from home, but Boro come fighting back and score after they collected a kick and ran the ball back strongly through Brendan Hill and McPhillips who get the ball to openside Rohan Brown who crosses the whitewash and Brendan Hill converts 10-7
DC then score a try and penalty before the break with Boro replying with 3 points of their own
HT 20-10
DC are playing some lovely simple rugby especially through their centres and it has been very effective so far
All change after the break when Boro attack and some lovely timed passes from the backs get the ball to wing Brendan Hill who sprints in to score Aedan Moloney converts 20-17
6 mins pass and Brendan Hill fields a kick on his own 10 yard line runs through 2 would be tacklers and runs in from 60 yards out he converts and the score is now 20-24
A late tackle from DC gives Boro the opportunity to kick for touch and from the ensuing line out they get the driving maul working and cross the line the extras making it 20-31
Both teams swap penalties to make it 23-34
The Pink Panthers are on the attack and pressing but an amazing tackle from skipper McPhillips turns the ball over and a mighty boot from Aedan Moloney clears the danger
DC come back and score right at the death making the final score Durham City RFC 30 Middlesbrough RUFC 34
Phew I’m writing this on Sunday morning and I am still shattered after going through that again
Got to mention the work of the Middlesbrough pack who did not take a backward step all game, and the ferocious defence by all was great to see. Well done fellas
Well done to both teams on performances that brightened up a dreary afternoon in the Land of the Prince Bishops.
Middlesbrough’s next fixture is our last home game of the season against league leaders Percy Park at Acklam Park 3pm Saturday 16th March
