Derby started 2023 looking to build on a fine 2022, but availability problems saw a number of changes from the previous game. Jake Roome moved to scrum half and Josh Harvey came in at prop. Josh Ridley started in the 2nd row and Jake Barker came into the back row with Jack Dawson returning at centre.
Derby kicked off and started well, pinning Bridgnorth back. Unfortunately, Derby were unable to turn their pressure into points.
With their first attack, Bridgnorth took the lead after 5 minutes. In what proved to be the pattern of the game, the Bridgnorth forwards drove over the Derby line to touch down. The conversion was successful, giving Bridgnorth a 7 point lead. This quickly became a 12 point lead, when missed tackles by Derby allowed the Bridgnorth winger to score an unconverted try.
After 25 minutes, Derby hit back. Charlie Barker claimed a lineout and the ball was moved to the backs. Patrick Burke came off his wing to burst through and score his 9th try of the season. Josh Bingham added the conversion, which took him to 100 points for the season.
5 minutes later, an excellent Josh Bingham penalty narrowed the gap to 2 points.
Derby continued to press and were held up over the Bridgnorth line. Derby came again, but lost the ball. Moments later Bridgnorth scored a try.
The half ended with another Bridgnorth try, which was converted to leave the half-time score 24 – 10 in Bridgnorth’s favour.
The 2nd half could not have started any worse for Derby. Bridgnorth kicked off and Derby failed to gather the kick. Bridgnorth took control, drove up the pitch and scored.
Derby continued to press, but were unable to find a way through, even when Bridgnorth lost their Number 8 to the sin bin.
In fact, it was Bridgnorth who scored next, with the conversion putting them out of sight.
With 10 minutes remaining, Derby lost Jake Roome to the sin bin, but it was Bridgnorth’s turn to fail to make the extra man count.
The final whistle saw Bridgnorth as deserved victors and left Derby having to regroup before the difficult trip to Broadstreet next week.
Come on Derby!
Report by: R. Bambra