Derby ran out at Cooke Fields to start the new league season in a new league – Regional 1 Midlands.
They handed debuts to 3 players, prop Guy Bowley, Rhys Colrein and Khias Webb.
Derby kicked off, on a hard, dry surface; unsurprisingly considering the hot summer we have had!
Derby were quickly into their stride and an attack led to a penalty, which Josh Bingham kicked.
The lead lasted 10 minutes, before Lichfield scored the 1st try of the day, which was converted, to put them 7 – 3 ahead.
Derby hit back with a try of their own, after 21 minutes. They took a line-out, close to the Lichfield line and drove over. Jack Bates was the scorer and Josh Bingham added the conversion.
Unfortunately, Derby did not gather the restart and Lichfield mounted an attack which stretched Derby. The move ended when McGrath Van Wyk was adjudged to have deliberately knocked on and a penalty try was awarded.
Derby hit back on 29 minutes, with a superb individual try from Calum Jones. He received the ball 30 metres out and wove his way through the defence to touch down under the posts. Josh Bingham converted.
Lichfield quickly hit back with a try of their own, before Derby scored their 3rd try, in injury time. A forward drive took Derby over the try line and Calum Jones touched down for his 2nd of the afternoon.
Lichfield still had time to score their 4th try of the half to lead 26 – 22 at the break.
After an end-to-end 1st half, the first 20 minutes of the 2nd half was all Lichfield. Derby showed great fortitude in defence and kept Lichfield at bay.
After 70 minutes, Derby hit back and prop Josh Harvey touched down for his first career try and the bonus point try!
As the game entered injury time, Derby attacked again. McGrath Van Wyk drew the last defender and slipped a superb pass to Lewis Hancock who accelerated away to score.
This put Derby 6 points clear and they saw the rest of the game out to claim a fine win.
An excellent performance, with victory built on the superb defensive effort at the start of the 2nd half.
Nuneaton are the 1st visitors to Haslams, next week.
Come on Derby!
Report by R. Bambra