Saturday saw North Shields 1XV once again on the road, facing a relentless DMP side in a match that had all the hallmarks of a grueling showdown. With a season full of effort but few rewards, Shields approached the game knowing they’d need resilience to overcome their equally determined opponents, who were fighting just as hard to escape the bottom of the league table.

A lineup shift brought Gav Duffy back into the centers, Carl Owens into full back, and the agile Callum Walker to the wing. Ben Marshall, the ever-steadfast captain, led a reconfigured pack, with Mark Watson returning to the front row and his brother Chris making a season debut as blindside flanker.

DMP wasted no time establishing their presence, using vocal intensity and hard-hitting physicality to try and dominate Shields early on. The first ten minutes saw DMP seize a 3-0 lead from a penalty, but Shields were not about to be intimidated. In a display of sheer determination, the Shields forwards dug in, signaling they were ready to go toe-to-toe with the home side.

As if in a gladiatorial arena, the match soon evolved into a clash of iron wills. With each team trading bruising tackles, relentless charges, and blistering attacks, Shields finally gained the upper hand. Ben Dalton broke through for a try, and Jack Rendles’ precise boot put them up 3-7 at 32 minutes. DMP retaliated with a try just before halftime, closing the gap to 8-7, but the seesawing momentum had only begun. Shields countered with another Rendles try and conversion to enter halftime leading 8-14, the Teesside air thick with tension.

In the second half, the battle intensified. What began as an explosive clash turned into a test of pure endurance and grit. DMP quickly reclaimed the lead at 15-14, but Shields responded fiercely, with Dalton’s powerful play and Rendles’ sure footedness restoring their advantage at 15-21. The minutes slipped away, and every inch of ground was contested. DMP came back once more to make it 22-21, setting the stage for a nail-biting final quarter.

A crucial moment arose when Callum Walker, threatening a breakaway, was cynically taken down after a kick chase—a play Shields protested but saw dismissed by the referee. Was this the break DMP needed? It seemed as though fate might turn against Shields once more. Yet, with unwavering resolve, Shields powered forward, and Jack Rendles slotted a penalty through the posts, pulling Shields ahead 22-24 with only ten minutes remaining.

As time ran down, Shields held their ground with calm, calculated possession, denying DMP any late heroics. In a game marked by grit, endurance, and sheer heart, Shields emerged victorious, edging out DMP 22-24.

George Stoddart earned Man of the Match honours for his commanding performance at 9, but the whole Shields team deserved equal praise for a dominant, disciplined showing against a fierce DMP squad. With this hard-fought victory, Shields look to build momentum as they head on the road again next week to face Redcar, eager to climb further from the relegation zone.

Report by Jason Turner.