Derby travelled to Syston, on Bonfire Night, expecting fireworks, against a team who had won 6 of their 8 games.
Sam Tebbs led the team out to mark his 150th appearance for the side. Rhondell Stabana and Dave Cowell started in the forwards, with the back line remaining unchanged from the victory over Burton.
Derby kicked off, playing with the stiff breeze in the first half, but it was Syston who opened the scoring with a converted try, after 10 minutes.
Derby levelled the game 7 minutes later. A quick, tapped penalty gave Derby good position and Jack Bates drove over, for his 4th try of the season. Josh Bingham converted.
Derby continued to probe and 2 tries in 4 minutes gave them the lead.
The 1st came after 30 minutes, when good interplay between Jake Roome and Jack Dawson gave Patrick Burke the space to score his 4th try of the season, in the corner.
Derby attacked again and after a series of drives, Charlie Barker crashed over the line, for the 2nd time this season. Josh Bingham added the extras.
This put Derby 19 – 7 ahead, but with the final play of the half, Syston mauled over the line.
This left Derby 7 points ahead at the break.
Syston came out for the 2nd half and proceeded to pin Derby back, using the wind cleverly.
However, a Derby break led to a penalty and Josh Bingham extended the lead after 57 minutes.
Derby continued to be under pressure and their excellent defence was finally breached, after 68 minutes, when a cross kick was touched down.
Jake Roome departed soon after, with a cut, allowing Ethan Pearson to make his seasonal debut.
4 minutes remained, when Syston took the lead through a penalty try, with Rhondell Stabana sent to the sin bin.
From the kick off, Derby were awarded a penalty and Josh Bingham stepped up, 40 metres out and confidently kicked the ball through the posts, to regain the lead by 1 point.
As the game entered injury time, Syston attacked again and were awarded a penalty under the posts, surely to win the game. The kick was successful and Syston were 2 points ahead.
Derby didn’t give in and with the last play of the game won a penalty, 45 metres out. Josh Bingham stepped up and into the wind, won the game for Derby!
A magnificent game of rugby, with Derby’s win built on magnificent defence, keeping them in the game and allowing the late penalty to seal victory.
This win moves Derby up to 2nd in the league, setting up a clash with leaders Dudley Kingswinford next week.
Come on Derby!
Report by: R.Bambra