This was a more competitive game than the scoreline might suggest. The young Broadstreet players fought to the final whistle but outstanding performances by Will Town and Sam Tebbs knocked them back somewhat. Tebbs was dominant from the base of the scrum and slick passing by the threequarters enabled the wingers to score six tries between them, Town went over for four and Hancock for two – a full thirty points between them. This win lifts Derby to eight in the league table.
In strong windy conditions, the Broadstreet stand-off kicked a penalty after one minute to give the home side an early lead, thus signalling their intent to play open and fast rugby. This was short lived, as Will Town outsprinted his opposite winger in a chase to touch down in the corner. Ben Wilcox kicked the conversion to take a lead, which was never surrendered. Derby pressure was causing Broadstreet to make handling errors. From gifted possession Derby forwards swarmed together in an attack and Lewis Hancock crossed in the corner for a try which Wilcock did well to convert. Because of uncertain possession from lineouts, thanks to the jumping of Sam Pitman, Broadstreet mostly opted for Tap & Go penalties to keep hold of the ball, but Derby’s quick solid tackling frustrated their hard running efforts.
When Sam Tebbs broke from a scrum, he committed the home defence before giving a reverse pass to Will Town. His side-stepping at speed saw him cross for his second try. Derby seemed to ease into cruise control but added a penalty by Ben Wilcox and a try by Ethan Pearson taking advantage a forward drive by the pack just before the break to extend Derby’s lead to twenty-four points.
Josh Ridley replaced Nathan Bevan-Brown at the interval and two minutes after the restart, Charlie Barker won a lineout and broke free for a try. However, a purple patch followed as Broadstreet hit back with tries by their right winger and prop, both of which were converted by their stand-off. This spurred Derby into attack mode and the industrious Rhondell Stabana scored a try before a dramatic break by Sam Pitman saw him clear, but as defenders closed in on him, he lobbed a long pass to Lewis Hancock for his second try converted by Wilcox. Simon Moon and Ben Wilcox were then replaced by substitutes, Ryan Cochayne and McGrath Van Wyck. Good Derby support play ended with a well-timed pass from Jake Roome to Will Town. He outsprinted the defence for his third try in the corner. Josh Bingham’s conversion bounced of the upright post. With ten minutes left, Rhondell Stabana passed, on the charge, to Will Town. His speed covered the ground so quickly, the covering defence could not get near him. He scored his fourth try and Josh Bingham added the extra points to end a resounding victory.
This win has hopefully proved a morale booster as we look forward to hosting neighbours, Burton on the 6th Jan.