Denia Rugby Club travelled to Tavernes on Sunday for Round 4 of the Valencia First Division Group 1. The four team two group format means each side plays the other three teams in the group twice before the Christmas break, then the top two from each group enter a Promotion Group and the bottom two enter a Relegation Group. Tavernes, unbeaten after three matches knew a win would secure a top two place, whilst Denia felt they both needed and deserved something from this game after recent results and performances.
Denia fielded a very strong pack, but a very inexperienced back line with several players missing due to injury or unavailability. At last Denia got off to a good start, from the kick off a forward drive allowed Lee and Juan Luis to combine down the blind side and although Lee appeared to touch down in the corner, the referee ruled he had a foot in touch and awarded a line out to Tavernes. Denia kept the pressure on the home side and after ten minutes Lee converted a penalty from 20 meters out on the left hand side for a deserved 3-0 lead. Again Denia attacked from the restart, pushing deep into the Tavernes half.
After another period of sustained pressure, strong tackling from the Denia midfield saw Geviny scoop up a loose ball and race 30 meters to touch town, again converted by Lee for a 10-0 lead. Tavernes finally found their rhythm and dominated both possession and territory for the remainder of the first half. Under extreme pressure from catch and drive line-outs, Denia's defence held firm, frustrating Tavernes, who repeatedly turned to their backs who regularly lost the ball in contact. However, as half time approached Denia failed to secure possession at the base of the scrum and Tavernes collected a loose ball to score.
Denia fully deserved a 10-5 half time lead, but knew they would have to be at their best in the second half. Tavernes made a few changes at half time and dominated possession early on in the second half. Denia again held firm, but when they did manage to break free from their own half, all too often the Tavernes full back used the wind and his boot to good effect, pushing Denia back and some poor line outs handed the initiative back to the home side. Declining a penalty kick at goal, Tavernes drove into the heart of the Denia defence, and for the first time in the match their backs managed to move the ball quickly creating an overlap in the corner to level the scores.
The restart put Denia back into the Tavernes half and although possession was limited Denia did have the opportunity to take the lead from an attempted drop goal and a penalty wide out on the right but it was not to be. Tavernes eventually cleared their lines and from a maul just outside the Denia 22, two players broke free and despite an excellent tackle from full back Yovanny, the support was on hand to touch down. The conversion saw Tavernes 17-10 ahead. Denia continued to keep the ball tight but too many times lost the ball in contact and with five munites to go a penalty saw Tavernes move ahead 20-10.
Denia have finished well in all their games this season and from the restart regained possession and punched deep into the Tavernes 22. A penalty was awarded and from a quick tap Lee put Juan in to score. The try was converted by Lee but with seemingly a few minutes remaining the referee blew for full time. 20-17 to Tavernes, but a well deserved bonus point for Denia. This weekend Denia will be looking for a friendly before the next League game against Alicante University on Sunday 2nd December. Denia RC: Jerry,Nico,Pescata,Mateo,Dale,Geviny,Adrian,Andy, Shaun,Lee A,Juan Luis,Juan,Eddie,Edu,Yovanny,Adam,Dirk,Xabia,Chimo,Lee B,Sam.
Denia Cadetes (Under 17s) continued their impressive form away in Elche on Saturday. With both sides unbeaten something had to give but after a hard fought and evenly matched first half the score remained 0-0. Denia started the second half the better, moving the ball wide and with good support play took an early 7-0 lead. Elche battled back to score an unconverted try after a mix up behind the Denia scrum. Denia reacted well again moving the ball wide to score in the corner.
Both sides battled hard with some good forward exchanges and excellent defence in midfield, but Denia always had the edge out wide and created another opportunity to record a well deserved 19-5 victory and maintain their 100% record. The Infantiles (Under 15s) also travelled to Elche for their first League game of the season and recorded a comfortable victory against a very young and inexperienced Elche side. This Saturday Denia Cadetes and Infantiles entertain La Vila in Denia.
Eddie D'Arcy - 680 739 821 -
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www.deniarugbyclub.com
