Derby travelled to Syston to complete their league season. Derby kicked off, with the advantage of playing with the strong wind and with damp conditions underfoot.
The first period of the half was scrappy, with Syston keeping possession and preventing Derby from using the wind to their advantage.
It was Syston who took the lead, after 24 minutes, with a well-worked try. The conversion made it 7 – 0.
Derby hit back 5 minutes later, when Joe Acton won the chase to touch the ball down, after McGrath Van Wyk had chipped through. Ben Wilcox added the conversion.
With 4 minutes of the half remaining, Syston regained the lead with a try, to turn around 12 – 7 up.
Derby had not really got going, with the wind making life difficult for everyone, resulting in a rather dull half.
The 2nd half proved to be a completely different! 8 tries were scored, with the lead changing hands 4 times in an exciting 40 minutes.
Syston opened the scoring for the half with a penalty kick, after 2 minutes.
Derby were back in the game 4 minutes later, when a Sam Tebbs run allowed Ryan Cokayne to score his first try of the season. Ben Wilcox converted to leave Syston 1 point in front.
Syston scored a converted try, after 50 minutes.
5 minutes later, Ethan Pearson burst out of a tackle and powered away to score. Ben Wilcox again converted.
After 61 minutes a Cam Finlay run took Derby up to the Syston line. They maintained the pressure and Ethan Pearson scored. Ben Wilcox converted to put Derby 6 points up.
The lead only lasted 4 minutes as Syston scored a converted try of their own to lead 29 – 28.
The try of the game followed, in the 68th minute. Cam Finlay received the ball 60 metres out. Off he went, weaving his way between defenders to touch down.
Syston clinched victory with 2 tries in the final 5 minutes.
Derby probably lost the game in the first half, where they failed to make the wind count, but certainly fully contributed to a splendid 2nd half.
This result means they finish in 7th place, 1 place higher than last season and with 9 more points.
This leaves them in good heart for the Papa John’s Men’s Community Cup which begins next week with a trip to Burton.
Come on Derby!
Report by: R. Bambra