In a seesaw game that saw the lead change hands several times, Derby RFC’s Mixed Ability team the ‘Bucks’ were able to showcase just how far they’d come as a team.
Starting the stronger of the sides the Bucks crashed over for an early 7-0 lead. This didn’t last long with Longlevens running hard lines between their 10 and 12 leading to 2 tries before halftime and a 10-7 lead. The second half started in much the same way for the Griffins with a mixture of great handling and an audacious cross-field kick leading to 2 further tries and a 20-7 lead.
This seemed to galvanize the Bucks who replied through a try from a quick tap penalty and another from the forwards after some great work to recover the ball at the breakdown in the Griffin’s 22.
With the game reaching its climax the Bucks scored what they thought would be the winning try in the 78th minute, taking a 26-20 lead. It was not to be, however, with the Griffins inching their way to the Bucks line before finishing strongly to run it in under the posts leaving the simplest of conversions to clinch the win.
With a squad of 15 in comparison to the opponent’s impressive 25 the Bucks can take heart from their performance and progress since the sides last met pre-Covid. Congratulations must go to Longlevens for sticking at it for 80 minutes and being so gracious in victory. A fantastic advert for Mixed Ability rugby!
MoM – Ben Vickers, didn’t miss a lineout throw or a tackle all day. His strongest appearance in a Bucks shirt.
