Blackburn 63 Derby 28
18/10/25
A cool, dry day saw Derby run out at Ramsgreave Drive. Head Coach Liam Slatem made his debut from the bench. He probably wasn’t expecting to play 75 minutes, but Russell Carmichael departed early so he had to !
The game split neatly into 4 quarters.
Quarter 1. Blackburn kicked off and Derby dominated the opening 10 minutes, but just like last week at Stockport, were unable to score.
Blackburn then scored a try after 13 minutes. They followed this up with a converted try, 6 minutes later, when Derby lost the ball.
Quarter 1 concluded with Blackburn 12 – 0 ahead.
Quarter 2 saw Derby dominate the remaining 20 minutes of the half.
The first try came from a line out. Derby drove over the Blackburn line and James Godfrey touched down, after 22 minutes.
A dominant scrum, 5 minutes later, saw Sam Tebbs break from the back and drive towards the Blackburn try line. Fred Chell was supporting and touched the ball down.
Just before the break, Cam Finlay broke away and kicked ahead. Fred Chell was quickest to the ball to score again.
Josh Bingham kicked all 3 conversions.
The referee drew quarter 2 to a close with the half time whistle, with the scoreboard showing Derby 21 – 12 ahead.
Quarter 3 was a nightmare for Derby as Blackburn ran in 6 tries in the opening 22 minutes of the half.
All 6 were converted, leaving Blackburn 54 – 21 ahead and with victory virtually guaranteed.
The 4th and final quarter saw the sides draw the final 18 minutes 7 all.
Derby scored 1st, with McGrath Van Wyk crossing the try line for the first time this season. In doing so Derby secured their bonus point for 4 tries.
Josh Bingham nailed a superb conversion to maintain his 100% record from the tee on the day.
Blackburn drew the game to a conclusion with a final converted try.
The final whistle, saw Blackburn deserved victors, and Derby left ruing quarter 3 !
Next week sees Derby return to Haslams as they welcome Huddersfield.
Come on Derby !
R. Bambra
