Derby 24 Manchester 24
If ever there was a game of two halves, this was it. Manchester scored 24 points to Derby’s 3 penalty points in the first half and an inspiring Derby’s 21 points to Manchester’s zero in the second half. All of this was on a pitch that was slippery underfoot due to the very recent flooding. Overall, it was a game littered with penalties and handling errors.
Ten minutes in, Manchester won a 5-metre lineout and a pushover try was scored by hooker, Luke Boon. Due to the wet conditions, Josh Bingham opted for kicking high balls for Derby to chase. He also kicked a long range penalty to narrow the gap. However, on the half hour mark, Manchester used quick passing to create an overlap for prop, Lewis Mc Kay, to score in the corner. Flyhalf, Bailey Smith, converted and five minutes later, quick passing again split the Derby defence for centre, Harry Lewis, to score an unconverted try. This was quickly followed by yet another try from centre, Fraser Green, which Smith duly converted on the stroke of half time giving Manchester a commanding lead at the interval.
There was some serious chat by head coach, Liam Slatem, during the break and it seemed to have a good effect. After just two minutes, Nathan Bevan-Brown took a short pass and galloped through the Manchester defence like a raging bull. Josh Bingham did well to convert and suddenly, Derby were back in the game. Bingham’s general kicking from the hand gained valuable ground, much appreciated by the forwards. When centre Fred Chell, showed his speed, his try was converted by Bingham to narrow the score to seven points. In the later stage of the game, super sub, Archie Murdoch, crossed the line in the corner. When Josh Bingham converted there was relief and very loud cheering for the equaliser. There was a long period when Derby mounted a relentless sequence of driving mauls on the Manchester line but were frustrated by a resolute defence. When team captain, Sam Tebbs was high tackled and had to be replaced, the yellow card was not issued because the referee could not identify the culprit due to the mud obscuring the numbers on the shirt. He did apologise. After the delay, Josh Bingham’s kick drifted past the upright to his own great disappointment. His overall performance is not diminished by one kick.
The tactics deployed by Derby in the second half were efforts built on by the hard work of the front row warriors, Ben Betts, Jack Bates and Simon Moon. Even when tackled they all tried hard to gain that extra half yard making it easier for support players. Sam Tebbs and his pack took the game to the Manchester fowards and that made a difference.
It is away to Bowdon next week, do please come and voice your support.
Gerry Sherry
