Derby travelled to Grove Park to play the first of three pool matches in The Papa John’s Regional Plate. Manchester had finished 8th in Regional 1 North West; the same level of rugby as Derby, who had finished 8th in Regional 1 Midlands, so a good contest was expected. Derby kicked off and were soon on the attack. They opened
In breezy conditions, Derby faced a strengthened Matlock side determined to deny Derby 2nds their undefeated record in the last league game of the season. McGrath Van Wyk made a welcome return after months out through injury. The combination of him and Tom Bigland as half backs was necessary after the injuries sustained against Tupton. It was a good start
Derby concluded their league season against a Lichfield team who were desperate for points to avoid relegation. Derby handed first starts to Joe Acton and Ryan Cockayne and a debut to winger Cam Finlay. Callum Jones and Ryan Milton also returned to the starting XV. Derby kicked off, on a dry sunny afternoon. After 5 minutes, Cam Finlay received the
The 2s welcomed the visitors Amber Valley to Haslams Lane in their return fixture having completed the league with the win against Melbourne the week earlier. Valley had managed to keep derby quiet at their place with the 2s only had managed to cross the line to score 4 tries. With different conditions and squad including a debut from yet
Derby welcomed several players back for the trip to Glasshouse Lane. Jerri Oldfield, Sam Pittman, Jim Hather and Sam Tebbs joined to the pack, while Josh Tizard and Patrick Burke returned to the starting XV in the backs. As the teams ran out, on a cold, dry day, the task facing Derby became immediately apparent. The Kenilworth side were significantly
Unlike last week, Derby showed great intent and determination from the start. Young Jim Hather started at wing forward and we were to see eighteen-year-old, Joe Acton, take to the field before the interval. Both are sons of former Derby players. Though it was certainly a complete team performance, special credit must go to the front row trio, Jeri Oldfield,
It was a strange game for Derby, flowing from a low ebb to high hopes but the stronger side won in the end. The game produced a feast of tries, eight for Syston and four for Derby. A very early penalty from Josh Bingham gave supporters hope but, when Syston’s No.8, Steward, went over from a maul two minutes later,
A typical winter Saturday saw Derby 2XV take the relatively short trip over the border into rural Nottinghamshire to play the reverse fixture against Keyworth. There were two debutants stepping up from colts’ rugby into seniors: Joe Acton in at scrum half and Alex Clarke on the bench, a substitute for the backrow. Keyworth kicked off with a tidy set
Derby did the “double” on neighbours, Burton, in another closely contested game, ending with Josh Bingham kicking a conversion from the side line to break the hearts of local supporters. Will Town made his first appearance on the wing, after a long absence due to injury, and Patrick Burke switched to centre. In front of a big crowd which contributed
Derby made 3 changes for the visit of high-flying Bromsgrove. Skipper Charlie Barker and his brother Jake were both injured, so Josh Ridley and Rhondell Stabana started. At scrum half, Josh Tizard returned, allowing Jake Roome to move to centre. Derby, looking for their first league point since Christmas, kicked off on another cold day. So cold that every other
*Close time depends on events
