Derby travelled to Ashby Lane to try and extend their winning streak to 3. The game was preceded by a minute’s applause in memory of Jack Jeffrey, who tragically lost his life playing rugby for Evesham last week. As a mark of respect, both sides retired the number 11 shirt that Jack played in, for the day.
Derby kicked off, playing into the strong wind on another Saturday where the conditions were not conducive to running rugby! The 1st half at least remained dry, but heavy showers punctuated the 2nd period.
Kicking the ball out of defence was a non starter, so it was important Derby kept possession.
They made an excellent start when after 6 minutes, the ball found Ryan Milton on half way. He sprinted clear of the Lutterworth defence to score under the posts. Lewis Hancock added the conversion.
9 minutes later Lutterworth were level, with a converted try of their own. Lutterworth then took the lead, kicking a penalty from their own half.
A good run by Sam Tebbs put Derby on the front foot, after 24 minutes and Josh Bingham put Patrick Burke away to score.
Lutterworth were next to score, after a period of pressure and the conversion put them 5 points ahead.
Derby were not finished however and 3 minutes before the break, Sam Tebbs picked the ball up from a ruck and ran 20 metres to score. Lewis Hancock converted to leave the half time score 19 – 17 to Derby.
Derby had done well against the wind, could they now use it to win the game?
Their task was made more difficult when Jake Roome was yellow carded 2 minutes into the 2nd half. Derby won the 10 minute period 14 – 0, thanks to 2 superb individual tries.
Firstly, Sam Tebbs broke off the back of the scrum on half way and beat all attempts to stop him, to score. Callum Jones then took the kick off and ran 70 metres to also touch down. 2 Lewis Hancock conversions put Derby 16 points clear.
Lutterworth scored a try, with 11 minutes left, before Derby clinched the game, with another try. A spell of pressure culminated in Sam Tebbs scoring for the 3rd time in the game and 11th time this season. An excellent Lewis Hancock conversion took Derby to 40 points.
Lutterworth scored a late consolation try, but the final whistle saw Derby the deserved victors.
An excellent performance against a big Lutterworth team, highlighted by some magnificent individual tries.
Derby have a week off, before Market Harborough visit Haslams.
Come on Derby!
Report by: R.Bambra