The 1st XV have had to wait what has felt like an incredibly long time to take the field and make amends for their loss against Sheffield Medics in October. This Saturday saw them get that opportunity, at home in front of their home supporters against local opposition Maltby RUFC.

The game saw debut opportunities for Dearne's two newest signings. Kyle Finan, the Canadian who is over in the UK to study at Leeds Beckett University, started at hooker and Neal Dunn was on the replacements bench to make his first appearance on the Rugby field for a long time following previous long term injury.

The game started off was you would expect; Maltby utilising their large forward pack to the best of their advantage and Dearne utilising their kicking game to try and achieve territory. After a cagey opening 10 minutes it was the home side who got on to the score sheet first with a penalty from number 10 Stephen Shaw to take them into an early 3-0 lead. Their lead didn't last long though, with Maltby gaining the edge at the scrum and multiple penalties resulting in Dearne having Bailey Woods sent to the sin bin for a high tackle and the Maltby fly half slotting the penalty to level the scores at 3-3.

Dearne looked the most threatening, with multiple periods of ball in hand in the Maltby half resulting in line breaks and opportunities for winger Sam Holt. However, good scramble defence by the Maltby back row consistently meant territory didn't turn into points. Shaw had the opportunity to extend their lead on 30 minutes with an easy penalty to take the scores to 6-3. With Bailey Woods now returning from the sin-bin, Dearne began to turn the screw and what followed was a relentless 10 minute period to finish the first half on a high. Firstly, turnover lineout ball resulted in scrum half Roebuck galloping into the Maltby 22 before he offloaded to his supporting forwards. Quick recycled ball resulted in Stephen Shaw making further yards before he was tackle 5 metres out. A couple of phases later and Roebuck found debutant hooker Kyle Finan who managed to crash his way over the try line under the posts for the first five pointer of the game. Shaw converted the extras and the lead was now 13-3.

Straight from the restart, Dearne cleared their lines and the Maltby backfield player attempted to run it back however found Jacob Mangham and Steve Mason in midfield who quickly took him to ground. Mangham released before attempting to ruck the ball and the referee judged the Maltby player to be holding on and gave a penalty to the home side. Shaw stepped up to have a long range shot at goal and calmly nudged it over, taking the score to 16-3. Once again straight from the restart Dearne made great territorial gains through Corey Cox making a break and then the ball being fed wide to Sam Holt who again found acres of space down the left hand touchline. Once again the Maltby players managed to scramble and prevent him scoring but the referee brought play back to the Maltby 22 for a penalty to the home team. Shaw again slotted the ball between the sticks and the referee blew for half time. Within the last 12 minutes Dearne had managed to extend their lead from 3-3 to 19-3 and put themselves in a strong position to win the game.

The second half started slightly messy from the home side, maybe showing a touch of complacency now they had a healthy lead on the scoreboard. Multiple periods of attacking pressure broke down due to handling errors in midfield and it wasn't long until Dearne again were guilty of high tackles and the resulting penalties gave Maltby a period of territory inside the Dearne 22. Maltby continued to try and utilise their "power game", with their big ball carriers charging at the Dearne defence from 5 metres out. The home side showed great determination to keep them out for an extended period of time and withstand the pressure, however Matthew Green managed to cross from a close range quick tap penalty and gave Maltby their first try of the afternoon. The conversion sailed wide and the score was now 19-8 with 20 minutes remaining.

Although they had an 11 point lead, the sidelines felt slightly nervous as Dearne had struggled to gain any sustained possession in the second half so far. However, that was about to change. A penalty to Dearne on the Maltby 10 metre line gave Shaw another opportunity to extend the home sides lead and he did exactly that as his penalty kick went over off the post. 22-3 with 15 minutes remaining.

In similar fashion to their scores in the first half, Dearne immediately struck another blow from the restart. The kick not going 10 metres, all the Maltby players appeared to switch off whereas Dearne vice captain Todd Bailey was playing to the referees whistle. He collected the ball and offloaded to Adam Cooke who carried into the Maltby half. The ball was quickly recycled and great hands down the Dearne backline found Mangham who beat the first defender before offloading out the back door to Mason. Mason drew the right hand winger and offloaded to Holt. Still 40 metres out and with a covering 3 Maltby defenders in front of him, he had it all to do. However, he showed exactly why he was the clubs top try scorer last year and with pace and power managed to fend off three defenders and slide into the left hand corner for what is surely going to be a contender for try of the season come April time. Shaw missed the touchline conversion however Dearne had again, within the blink of an eye, suddenly extended their lead to a health 27-8 with 10 minutes remaining.

Maltby showed great fight and spirit and continued to have periods of sustained pressure inside the Dearne 22, however the defence stayed strong. The home side were again sent down to 14 men when Brad Parker was shown a yellow card for roaming offside in the 'red zone'. With the last play of the game Maltby had multiple penalties five metres out from the Dearne try line but again the home side showed great defensive commitment to keep them out. Maltby knocked on in their attempts to cross the whitewash and with that came the full time whistle. The final score 27-8 to the men in black and with Sheffield Medics losing to Stocksbridge in their league fixture, the Dearne men see themselves return to the top of the Yorkshire 4 table.

"We have waited a long time since that Medics game, which really hurt us, to have the opportunity to go out their and show our true selves and today we did just that" said Head Coach Callum Emery. "Our attack could've been sharper and there was space to play into which we didn't manage to see at times but ultimately today was about winning and there are 20 men in that changing room who should be real proud of their performances".

Man of The Match was awarded to fly half, Stephen Shaw, for a smart and well controlled performance which kept the scoreboard ticking over and ultimately proved the difference. Dearne now turn their efforts to next weeks game against Stocksbridge, who will be full of confidence after their recent home form.

STARTING XV
1. Cooke
2. Finan
3. Woods
4. Young
5. Williams
6. Bailey
7. Cox
8. Kite
9. Roebuck
10. Shaw
11. Holt
12. Hartley
13. Mason
14. Duggan
15. Mangham

FINISHERS
16. Mincher
17. Christmas
18. Dunn
19. Parker
20. Robinson