U14s – Derby vs Scunthorpe
Scunthorpe RUFC had an early start to allow for the 1.5hrs coach journey to DRFC HQ. With some careful coach parking manoeuvres, some last-minute pitch changes, the Scunthorpe squad were changed early and warmed up in preparation.
Derby kicked off towards the clubhouse only to be met by phase after phase of strong forward play. This relentless and good control of possession eventually afforded Scunthorpe a potential try in the corner, only to be disallowed due to double movement.
Derby countered often, looking very strong both with forward moves and set plays and strong running backline, but struggled to retain possession in the breakdowns.
With Derby now returning some pressure it was Scunthorpe who started to make more errors, giving away some knock-ons and some penalties in the breakdown. Derby made some good decisions but were unable to capitalise on the advantage to points. With 2 near misses of points only to be stopped by determined try-saving tackles from Scunthorpe, Derby kept going.
Eventually, a gap was found in the Derby defence, a couple of slipped tackles and Scunthorpe found their wing for a try in the corner in the very spot they had been previously denied. 0-5 to Scunthorpe.
From the next kick-off, a replay of the first pursued, strong Scunthorpe phase play controlled the breakdowns which resulted in a good amount of possession. From determination in the rucks, the Derby squad found more space through the Scunthorpe backline with some wonderful passing work, eventually ending the phase with Kaiden Webb skilfully offloading the ball out the back of his hand giving Evan Stephenson-Yeomans a chance of a strong run into the corner, which he did. Thomas Bull only narrowly missed the very difficult conversion. 5-5 half time.
With the first half now history, the spectators were excited for more of the same exciting rugby in the second. Continuing as the first, both teams demonstrated brave tackling. Scunthorpe broke the deadlock first utilising their fullback well managing to get into goal and run it through behind the post, with a conversion. 5-12 the visitors.
Some further aggressive forward play from Derby allowed the ball out to our backs which gave more opportunities, but due to Scunthorpe’s strong defence was halted. Derby could almost taste another try, sadly it didn’t come, and it was Scunthorpe who capitalised on a late try using their number eights strong running, fending off Derby tacklers putting the ball over the line to the left of sticks. A good conversion made it 5-19 to the visitors.
Scunthorpe fielded 21 players, with Derby fielding 22. Adam Binns captain, with Thomas Bull leading the backs and Jack Taylor the forwards. The play was kept safe and followed the Rugby laws by David Beaumont, kindly organised by the NLD. A wonderful day of Rugby to watch and for the players to participate. We all enjoyed hosting Scunthorpe RUFC and wish them the very best, we’ll be cheering them on in the NLD semi-finals – Well played, good luck Scunthorpe RUFC!
U13s – Derby vs Notts Casuals
The boys took on Nottingham Casuals at home today having beaten them away earlier in the season. Notts certainly were fired up from the start and it was a tense first few minutes but Derby tackled well and made an early turnover, and some great passing to get the ball out wide for Henry Booth on the wing to go over for the first try of the match. Notts responded quickly and made good use of their fast winger to then score back. There were some good scrums from both sides and nice use of the width allowing Notts to go over again, but we responded well with a great kick and chase from George Coulson, who won the race to the ball to touch it down for our second try. Notts then bought on their biggest player who immediately ran a great straight line and after several missed tackles went over for a try. Notts then scored another quick try before we countered again with a cheeky scrum-half try from Ben Saunders to close the gap. There was some really nice support play today and the boys never gave up and another score from Brandon Fowles having burst through several tackles got us in front.
The match was evenly poised before we had another try disallowed after almost 8 phases with the ball held up over the try line… nail-biting stuff!! We responded well from the drop out from Notts and a great charging run from captain George Grey proved too strong with him scoring between the posts. Notts replied quickly with yet another try from their fast winger, but Derby dug deep and this time Henry Booth went over in a one-on-one race with their winger.
We then had a period of fierce tackling from both sides, both pushing hard to turnover the ball with each team successfully turning over several times, this allowed Notts to gain some possession and they then scored a try after a blistering run from one of their backs. Score now even but the boys had the momentum and again using some good width and dogged runs from several of our team into a solid Notts defence, we were able to break through with Josh Tomlinson going over to score for Derby. We then had a very nervous few minutes with some great defence from Derby to hold on for the win, 7-6. A really good team performance with every player making a real contribution today, the boys were very sporting too making a great tunnel at the end for Notts.
A really great game between 2 evenly matched sides providing the spectators with a real thriller!