U16s – Derby @ Leicester Forest
With 6 of the team out for DPP and a couple of injuries, Derby under 16’s travelled to Leicester Forest for a small tournament. Our first opponents were Notts Casuals, they were down a player so Derby lent them a man for the match. Derby dominated the match especially at the scrum and line out to win 15-0.
The second match was against Leicester Forest who were also down a player so Derby leant another man. Another dominant performance from Derby this time conceding 5 points (which were gained by the Derby man playing for the opposition). Derby won the match 28-5 with Leicester Forest showing good sportsmanship and giving the Derby player who set up the 5 points a cheer at the end.
The final match was against Coalville who by this point were 3 men down, so Derby used all of their subs to ensure even numbers. The match started evenly but once Derby got into their stride they dominated at the breakdown and they went on to win 26-0.
It was nice to have a small tournament as it doesn’t really happen at this age group.
Well done to all.
U15s – Derby vs Melbourne
Derby travelled to Melbourne in what could best be described as “difficult conditions”. The wind and rain were blowing hard across the pitch & the mud underfoot made our preferred quick handling game impossible. Melbourne took advantage of the wind in the first half to pin us back and put away 3 tries whilst they had the territorial advantage. There were examples of outstanding defence all over the pitch including 2 players making their debuts. Towards the tail-end of the half Derby finished off a well-worked move when our winger strolled over the far touchline untouched.
In the second half, Derby continued the momentum gained and went over for another try after some tight forward work. Unfortunately, the worsening conditions made for a very scrappy game thereafter and Melbourne went over for another try against the run of play. Despite Derby pressure, Melbourne held out for the win. Great heart from the lads today, big tackles all over the pitch and 2 outstanding debut performances can stand us in good stead for the rest of the season
U14s – Derby vs West Bridgford (NLD Rd2)
West Bridgford started with determination, the pressure resulted in Derby conceding an unfortunate early knock-on. However, the first West Bridgford scrum quickly got turned over with Derbys 9 pressuring their scrum half, stealing the ball and feeding Tobin Bailey-Hill 10 who quickly drilled the ball to Kaiden Webb 12 managing to find the try line in the corner, 0-5 to Derby. West Bridgford dug deep, utilizing forwards and backs, Derbys relentless defense however and team discipline held them at bay and wasn’t long before another penalty came Derbys way allowing Derby to capitalize on a retreating West Bridgford, a quickly taken tap and go set off an impressive individual run from Kaiden Webb giving him his second under the posts. Thomas Bull stroking the ball through the sticks 0-12 Derby. With the team’s strong tackling and quick line speed deep into the first half Derby forced another knock on within West Bridgfords 10 giving Luka Bussell now at 9 some quick thinking to pick and go from the back of the scrum, putting the ball over the white line on the blindside. 0-17 to Derby
The spectators were witnessing a thrilling and exciting display of rugby, determination, brave tackling, intense rucking, and powerful running lines from both teams which continued throughout the second half.
With this intensity and tired players, injuries in both teams were taking its toll. However, just before the whistle blew for full time, Derbys team effort and relentless tackling forced another small error from West Bridgford giving Derby a scrum deep within the opposition’s half. Noticing some space on the blindside, it was Derbys 8, Ethan Harrison picking off the back of the scrum with a tenacious forward pack in pursuit giving Ethan a well-deserved try, and Thomas Bull his second conversion of the day 0-24 Derby.
Adam Binns was captain with Luka Bussell holding the helm during substitutions. Tom Jenkins lead the forwards and Evan Stephenson-Yeomans kept the backline discipline in check. A team effort with everyone playing for each other held a strong Bridgford attack from going over the Derby line.
Our thanks to the NLD for providing the referee who kept the game going, fair and safe, and of course West Bridgford for hosting, good bunch of lads, friendly and helpful coaching team with wonderful hospitality thrown in.
U15s – Derby vs Chesterfield
Derby travelled to Chesterfield with very strong wind and rain from the start with lots of standing water, the boys played the first half facing not just into the wind and rain but a very strong and well organised Chesterfield side. Struggling to gain territory in the first half the boys showed some good resilience and turned over the ball a few times, but an impressive Chesterfield performance.
The second half gave the boys better territory and possession but we struggled to convert to points.
We had 2 more first caps today and both lads put in a good shift, tricky conditions for the teams today but good experience and will be good learning for the lads.