What a game! Derby and Oundle served up a thriller in Derby’s final home game before the Christmas break.
With the country in the grip of freezing weather, this proved to be the only game played in Regional 1 Midlands.
Derby kicked off, but it was Oundle who applied the early pressure. A yellow card for Derby’s prop Guy Bowley gave Oundle an opportunity they took with a converted try after 4 minutes.
Derby gradually worked their way back into the game and levelled the score, after 24 minutes. Tom Antrobus burst over the line and Josh Bingham added the conversion.
The dying moments of the 1st half belonged to Derby. Josh Bingham kicked a penalty, before Derby scored 2 tries.
A Lewis Hancock break led to the first, scored by Patrick Burke, before the same player crossed again for his 8th try of the season. Josh Bingham added both conversions to leave Derby 24 – 7 ahead at half time.
If Derby thought the game was won, Oundle soon proved them wrong !
Only 3 minutes of the half had elapsed when Oundle scored a try and 9 minutes later they scored again. With both tries converted, Derby’s lead was down to 3 points.
Derby were next to score, when a series of forward drives led to Tom Antrobus crashing over for his 2nd try of the game and 4th of the season. Josh Bingham again converted and Derby were 10 ahead.
Oundle were using their heavier forwards very effectively at this stage and an excellent 50/22 kick gave them a lineout near Derby’s try line. The ball was secured and Oundle rumbled over. The conversion brought it back to a 3 point game.
With 3 minutes remaining on the clock, Jake Barker became the 2nd Derby player to spend 10 minutes in the sin bin. Oundle opted for a scrum and used the extra man to good effect as they scored the try. The conversion put Oundle ahead by 4 points.
Oundle seemed to have snatched victory, but this Derby team have a magnificent never say die approach. They started a move, with 14 men, that went through multiple phases before Jake Roome received the ball and battled his way to the try line. Josh Bingham added the conversion and Derby were back in front by 3 points.
There was still time for Oundle to reject a kickable penalty and a potential draw. Instead, they went for the corner and a win. Derby put the line out under pressure and Oundle conceded a penalty. Josh Bingham tapped, banged the ball into touch and the final whistle went.
A superb victory and a game that kept the crowd entertained throughout.
Derby travel to Stoke next week.
Come on Derby!
Report by: R.Bambra