It was the last game of the season, a 9-try thriller, and it produced festival rugby on the AGP. In front of the biggest crowd swelled by employees of AMS Hayley Group, our match day sponsors, Derby produced a great display of teamwork in the rugby “fast lane”. It was also the 150th appearance for Martin Kent, who came on in the second half.
Unlike last week, Derby made much better use of possession with better timing of passing the ball and close support of the ball carrier. The centre duo of Jake Roome and Jack Partington were to make a significant contribution to this.
From an opening kick the Lions, Will Moore, made a good run but from the ensuing lineout, quick passing gave Sam Tebbs the ball. On his way to the line, he dummied the fullback for his 17th try. Just a minute later, Rhondell Stabana worked hard to secure a turnover. Captain Andy Brown chased a kick before offloading to the supporting Lewis Hancock to accelerate for Derby’s second try. Within minutes, after some great inter passing at speed, Hancock bagged his second try. All three were converted by Josh Bingham. Once Sam Pitman stole a lineout, a pass from Jake Roome sent Ryan Milton speeding for the corner to secure Derby’s try bonus point. Bingham did well to convert from way out. However, Peterboro’ Lions responded with a driving maul for hooker, Ben Wilkinson to stretch over for a touch down near the posts. Will Carrington converted, and Lions tried the same again with a driving maul, but Rhondell Stabana won another turnover. Two consecutive penalties gifted the Lions another 5-metre lineout, but from another lineout steal, the backs made good ground. Quick support at the breakdown saw Callum Jones receive a long pass and he sped through the defence for a try converted by Josh Bingham. In response, a Lions kick and chase was won by Jack Przedborski for an unconverted try, leaving Derby ahead by 23 points at the interval.
After the restart, good Derby support at the breakdown won the ball and passing opened the way for Tom Bigland to score in the corner. Martin Kent then replaced Mike Jones at prop to great applause. Like last week, he made an impact in the scrum. Even greater cheers followed when he made a fifty-metre break from defence. Two more tries by Jack Partington and Andy Brown followed with Josh Bingham converting one. From open play Tom Bigland cross kicked towards the Lions posts, Josh Tizzard picked up and passed inside to Bigland who went over for his second try. Josh Bingham added the conversion to end the season on a good note.
After the game SAM TEBBS was awarded the trophy for the Supporters Player of the Season.
