Despite a much-improved attacking performance Dale’s defensive frailties still haunt them. Playing downhill in the first half Dale allowed the visitors to take the initiative gifting them two converted tries within the first thirteen minutes. Not to be downhearted Dale took the game straight back to the opposition and were rewarded with a good try of their own courtesy of Masi Clark. The ball was worked out to the left wing and taken forward by Terence Babarsina who executed his trademark pirouette as he powered forward. The visitors managed to scramble the ball out, but from the resulting line out Dale secured clean ball and following a number of drives to the line Clark dived over. Kieran Tyrer’s conversion was good and Dale were back in the game 7-14.

From the restart Dale manged to keep ball in hand working their way to the half way line. The ball was shipped to Mac Duaibe in the mid-field who crashed through two would-be tacklers as he stormed his way towards the try line. Five yards short he slipped the ball out of the back of his hand to the supporting Johnny Leota who went in under the sticks. Tyrer’s conversion was good and we were all square at 14 all.

Having got themselves back in the game a missed tackle in the midfield allowed one of the visitor’s centres to break through Dale’s defensive line and sprint towards the try line. Despite showing a good burst of speed Babarinsa was unable to catch up and DMP had their third try. The kick was good putting the visitors back in front 14-21.

To their credit Dale took the game back to DMP and secured a third try from wing Luckas Sableman-Blue. The ball was worked quickly through the back line out to the winger who dived over wide on the right. The kick drifted wide, but Dale were still in the game at 19-21.
However, within minutes Dale were penalised for offside close to the half way line. The ball was kicked deep down the right wing and from the resulting line out a DMP centre was allowed to stroll in almost unopposed. The conversion was good, 19-28. That was the last action of the first half and Dale only had themselves to blame for finding themselves behind.

Dale started the second half well forcing DMP to kick deep. The ball was caught by Duaibe who drove forward down the left wing. As he approached the 10-metre line he found Babarinsa on his left. He slipped the ball to him and as Babarinsa drew his man he returned the ball to Duaibe who gleefully dived over for Dale’s fourth try and a much- welcomed bonus point. Tyrer added the extras and Dale were well back in the game 26-28.

DMP kept up the pressure on the Dale defence and secured a further converted try extending their lead to 26-35. Some poor tackling by Dale allowed DMP to attack down the right wing and score a further try out wide. The conversion was missed, but the lead extended to 26-40 and the game was slipping away from Dale.

Worse was to come for Dale. Following a long kick down field Tyrer was adjudged to have taken the ball over the line whilst securing it. From the resulting scrum DMP’s number 8 dived in under the posts. The conversion was good 26-47. The visitors further extended their lead with another converted try, 26-54.

To add insult to injury in virtually the last play of the game Finn Rogers was shown a yellow card. DMP were unable to make the most of it and the referee blew for full time.

Dale managed to show promise in attack, but their defensive frailties continue to still haunt them. With Scunthorpe securing a bonus point win away at Fylde, Dale now find themselves routed at the foot of the table. They travel to Otley next week who are also struggling of late.

Phil Johnson