Derby kicked off on another windy afternoon, with rain not helping the conditions. Andy Brown, Josh Bingham, Louis McGuckian, Mike Johns, and Simon Moon returned to the side as Derby looked to build on last week’s fine win. Injury meant that the front row consisted of 3 props!
Derby took a lead they were never to lose, after just 3 minutes. The forwards drove over the line and Simon Moon touched down for his first try of the season. Lewis Hancock added the conversion.
Derby increased their lead 2 minutes later, when Judah Simpson caught a clearing kick and sprinted into the corner to touch down. Lewis Hancock again converted to put Derby 14 points clear.
Jeri Oldfield was the next to cross for his first try for the side, after 14 minutes.
Derby secured the 4 try bonus point after 22 minutes, when Tom Antrobus scored and they completed the scoring for the half 5 minutes later, when Judah Simpson crossed for the 2nd time.
This left Derby 29 – 0 up at the break, but knowing that the 2nd half would be a different story as Kettering would have the wind advantage.
The wind advantage certainly showed as Kettering pinned Derby back for large periods, but excellent Derby defence kept them out until the hour mark, when the try line was finally breached. The conversion was kicked.
11 minutes later, Derby broke out and Lewis Hancock received the ball 40 metres out. He produced an excellent run to score a fine individual try.
Kettering continued to press, using the wind to keep Derby in their own 22, but good tackling and covering from Derby didn’t allow Kettering to score again.
With the final play of the game, Judah Simpson broke away and chipped the ball into space. Lewis Hancock won the chase and scored his 2nd try of the day and 8th of the season. He then converted, giving him a match tally of 16 points.
A good win for Derby, which leaves them in 3rd place, 10 points ahead of 4th place Peterborough and 5 points behind 2nd place West Bridgford, with 6 games left.
Derby are back on the road next week at Lutterworth.
Come on Derby!
Report by: R.Bambra
Pictures were taken by: Shaun Hardwick