U15s – Derby vs Burton
A bright morning presented Derby with a chance to make up for last week’s disappointment in the cup. This was the 3rd meeting this season with Burton and a good benchmark to measure progress.
Derby started well and the lads played some really great all-round rugby, with backs and forwards combining in attack and defense. Tries came with no response from Burton with the half-closing 15 nil to Derby. The backs lines of running, combined with forward control was great to see.
The second half was a more dogged affair, with Burton figuring out how to get their big guys running into space, but Derby’s tackling across the whole team including the bench was great. The game got a bit niggly for a period in the second half and Derby appeared a bit distracted allowing Burton to score a couple, but the team got their heads back in the game and finished the stronger.
Derby won 27-14 on the back of one of the best all around performances so far this season.
U14s – Derby vs Burton
Both Burton and Derby squads relish this fixture, it never disappoints. The first half saw Burton play with real fire, both with forward and back plays, Derby responded with some impressive defense and determined tackles. With Burton retaining more of the ball and eventually exposing some week Derby defense with excellent use of hand-offs 6mins in, 5-0 to Burton. Derby scrummed very well and continued to pressure but 10mins in Burton again broke the backline with some excellent individual running only to be eventually held up by a tenacious Derby team. A 22 goal-line dropout was awarded but eventually came straight back to Derby in the form of a fiery Burton forward pack to go over the line again. Whilst both teams were rucking well, it was Burton who were often there first, forcing Derby penalties for not releasing the ball. Burtons strong running with backs utilizing great hand-offs to counter Derby’s tackles paid dividends, despite Derbys full-back Thomas“Billy Whiz” Bull putting in 2 try-saving tackles. Burton found the 3rd try from a more hard straight line running with more great handoffs. The Derby lads eventually opened their account showing a play which was discussed in the changing rooms just minutes before, With Derbys 9 calling the time to deploy , Derbys 8, Giancarlo “Janks” Salt went for the pickup off the back off the scrum, with the 9 running opposite lines ,causing confusion allowing Janks to break the defense, offloading to Bobby Shroder who carved through a cluttered field of Burton defense to everyone’s delight closing out the first half 20-5.
Whilst both sides struggled with conversions during the first half it was Burton who looked the most dangerous going over the try line 4 times to Derbys 1.
The second half saw a rejuvenated team, determined and engaged. Derby had strong scrums winning all our balls and occasionally pressuring their pack when against the head. With fruitful outcomes from the first set-piece in the first half, Derby went again with an inspired set piece, it was a Crossfield Kick that was deployed, allowing Derbys No. 12, Evan to gather up the ball and demonstrate his own powerful running lines from outside the 22 fending off tacklers to run in a hard-earned try making it 20-10. Derbys excitement was short-lived and wasn’t long before Burton was once again on the attack, with more strong hand-offs giving Burton another try under the posts – With conversion, it was now 27 -10 to Burton. The Derby forwards continued to pressure Burton relentlessly and was surely going to bring results, the pressure was too much and resulted in Burton conceding penalty after penalty, one-off which was quickly taken seeing a sleepy Burton team within their own 22 giving Derbys captain Kaiden a determined run over the white line 27-15. Just as Derby had the momentum, Burton countered with off the back of a soft Derby kick making it 32-15. Derby retained the newfound momentum looking very dangerous in the second half and finally countered giving Bobby Shroder his second try of the day. Kaiden Webb swept the ball through the post finishing the second half and game 32 – 22. A solid second half for Derby with 3 tries to Burton 2, whilst Derby were on top and looking for more, with Derby struggling to move the ball to the open space made it an uphill battle.
Both Burton and Derby moved subs on and off regularly. Derby were able to field 25 players on the day. Kaiden Webb captained the team with Tom Jenkins leading the forwards by example from number 2. Super effort from the squad today, collectively growing as a team and learning each other’s strengths. Another full clubhouse of Derby lads and adults afterward enjoying the fun moments, recalling plays/ stories of the game. A sincere thx to Burton under 14s coaching staff and wider club/ staff for wonderful hospitality as always – We look forward to the next game or training session with you all.
U13s – Derby vs Burton
The boys had been looking forward to the return fixture today against Burton with whom they played against in the opening game of the season. Burton who had a large strong pack started fast with 2 quick tries after a few missed tackles from Derby, but the boys dug deep and then continued with the majority of possession in the remaining element of that Third of the game, but really struggled to get out of their own half due to some excellent pressure from Burton.
In the 2nd Third Derby really stepped up and with some creative kicking and strong pressure, Burton started to make mistakes and we gained some good territory and were able to score, with a much more even 2nd Third overall.
The final third was evenly split on possession, however, Burton made better use of the space out wide to score another 3 tries. But in quick response, Derby pushed the ball wide too and our Winger Henry ran half the pitch to go over for a try. Burton came out on top winning 6-2, but it was great to see the significant development the team has made since September closing the gap on Burton. The boys gave everything today and we are proud of how they continue to improve and the sportsmanship during and after the game.