The latest RFU information on the league structure next year indicates that there are 3 promotion places available this season. With Derby in 2nd place before the game, they knew that if they could extend their winning run to 6, they would be very close to securing promotion.
Jack Bates led the team out, in honour of his 50th appearance, on a beautiful Spring day.
Derby kicked off and were ahead after 10 minutes.
Rhondell Stabana picked up the ball and ran from the 22 to score. Josh Bingham added the conversion.
Old Northamptonians hit back to dominate the next 11 minutes, scoring twice in the process. De La Cruz and O’Connor scored the tries, but both conversions were missed.
Just before the interval, Derby regained the lead. They were awarded a penalty and Jeri Oldfield tapped, went and forced his way over. Josh Bingham added the 2 points to the score.
Old Northamptonians hit back immediately when Howes touched down and Freeman converted. This left the half time score 17-14 to Old Northamptonians.
The 2nd half started badly for Derby when Seymour scored a fine individual try and Freeman converted to put Old Northamptonians 10 points ahead.
Not for the first time this season, Derby had to dig deep and they responded after 49 minutes, when Ryan Milton kicked ahead and won the chase to touch down.
7 minutes later, Derby moved the ball down the line and Josh Bingham went for the gap and scored. He also added the conversion, as Derby regained the lead.
Just after this Andy Brown was yellow carded, Freeman kicked the penalty.
Derby hit back when a catch and drive were executed to perfection allowing Sam Tebbs to score his 15th try of the season
The game then became 14 a side, as Old Northamptonians winger Evans went to the sin bin.
Derby appeared to have clinched the game, when Old Northamptonians lost the ball in their own in goal area, leaving Louis McGuckian to place his hand on the loose ball and score. Josh Bingham kicked his 4th conversion.
Old Northamptonians scored again in injury time through Evans, with Freeman converting.
This left a 4 point gap as the referee indicated that the kick off would start the final play of the game. The kick off was taken and Callum Jones leapt to secure possession. Derby kicked the ball off the pitch and the game was won.
An excellent game of rugby with the lead changing hands 7 times. The least Old Northamptonians deserved was the 2 league points with which they left Haslams.
More good news for Derby, Peterborough lost, meaning the lowest Derby can finish is 3rd!
Come on Derby!
Match Report by: R.Bambra