Derby returned to action, after the cancellation of last week’s trip to Banbury, with the visit of Bromsgrove.
The pitch was in superb condition, after another wet week and rain continued to fall throughout the afternoon.
Derby kicked off in this Molson Coors sponsored match, playing against the wind for the first half.
It was Bromsgrove who were first on the scoreboard, with a penalty after 2 minutes.
Derby levelled 2 minutes later. Bromsgrove had a defensive line out and secured the ball. Sam Tebbs showed great strength to rip the ball from Bromsgrove and when the ball went to Josh Bingham, he cooly dropped a goal; Derby’s first drop goal since October 2022!
Derby continued to press and took the lead after 17 minutes. They won their own line out and drove towards the Bromsgrove line. The ball was released to the backs and Jake Roome stretched for the line to touch down. Ben Wilcox added the conversion and Derby were 10 – 3 ahead.
After 22 minutes, Bromsgrove narrowed the deficit with a penalty.
Derby continued to have chances, but couldn’t convert them into points.
Right on half-time, Bromsgrove had an attacking line out. They won it and drove over the Derby try line. Heroic defence prevented them from grounding the ball and Derby went into halftime 10 – 6 ahead.
After 45 minutes, Derby were defending, when Sam Pittman was judged to have deliberately knocked the ball on and was shown a yellow card.
Bromsgrove immediately made the extra man count, by scoring a try in the corner, to give them a 1-point lead.
Bromsgrove were using their big pack to good effect at this stage and Derby were not seeing much of the ball.
Bromsgrove increased their lead, after 57 minutes with a penalty.
Derby hit back, 5 minutes later, when a spell of pressure led to a penalty, which Ben Wilcox converted.
Bromsgrove continued to have the majority of the ball, but superb Derby defence prevented them from increasing their lead.
As the game entered injury time Bromsgrove kicked a penalty to put them 4 points ahead.
Derby attacked and the game ended with them close to the Bromsgrove line, but unable to get over it.
A very good performance from Derby, who are improving week by week.
The final game before Christmas sees Derby travel to Broadstreet next Saturday.
Come on Derby!
Report by: R. Bambra
Photos by Shaun Hardwick: