9th May'10: Derby 35 -
07 Matlock (Derbyshire 2nd XV Cup Final played at Ashbourne
RFC)
No match report but here's
the Photograph Gallery of the game -
Photograph
Gallery
13th Mar'10: Derby 19 -
28 Scunthorpe
After the crushing victory over table toppers Paviors the
previous week the Beests were brought back down to earth
with a lacklustre performance ending in defeat by a strong,
competitive Scunthorpe side.
Scunthorpe started
brightly and opened the scoring when their forwards managed
to drive over the line for an unconverted try. Derby hit
back and put some good phases of play together in the
Scunthorpe half. Eventually they found an overlap for
Elliott Spencer to put Phil Maddocks in for a try which was
converted by Nathan Burton to give Derby the lead. From the
restart the Scunthorpe kick didn’t make the 10 metres. From
the resulting scrum the ball was fed from number 8 Paul
Archer to scrum half Stef Greenhalgh who produced a
brilliant dummy and some impressive pace to score a good
individual try, Burton again converting. Scunthorpe replied
with a penalty before Derby scored again with some good
interplay producing the platform for prop Sam Burkey to take
a pass and sprint through the gap to score. Crucially Derby
were unable to see it through to half time and Scunthorpe
benefitted from some sloppy Derby tackling to score with the
last play of the half to narrow the gap to 19-13.
Scunthorpe began to control the game using their experienced
forwards to produce time and space for their backline. As
with the first half the Derby tackling was way below normal
standards and too often allowed Scunthorpe to break out of
difficult positions or to create dangerous attacking
situations. The gap was narrowed when Scunthorpe added
another penalty before they created an overlap for the
winger to go over in the corner. Derby tried to up the tempo
and had a couple of decent periods of pressure. However with
five minutes to go Scunthorpe scored the clinching score
when a break by the number 8 resulted in the winger picking
up the loose ball and diving over despite a serious hint of
a knock-on. With the conversion being successful Scunthorpe
were out of sight with a 9 point advantage and closed out
the game. Final Score Derby 19-28 Scunthorpe.
A lacklustre display from the Beests who played some decent
rugby, especially in the first half, but seemed to lack the
intensity of recent weeks. Even more disappointing is the
fact that they were unable to hold onto the 19-8 lead that
they had fashioned and indeed Scunthorpe recorded 20
unanswered points. However the Beests need to use this
result as a warning and look to reproduce the quality
performances of the preceding weeks with two league fixtures
and Derbyshire cup action remaining this season.
Photographs
of the game can be viewed within the
Photograph
Galleries
Match Report by Phil
Maddocks
6th Mar'10: Derby 45 -
12 Paviors
Paviors arrived at Haslams riding
high at the top of the pennant league table but with Derby
having defeated the same opposition in a pool friendly just
a fortnight ago.
Derby were first to impose themselves on the game in an
energetic start. Only 5 minutes were on the clock when a
series of pick and drives ended in Eldon Atherton crashing
over for the game’s first try, Tom Good converting. Paviors,
not to be outdone, came back and levelled the scores through
a converted score from their impressive back row. For the
next twenty minutes Paviors camped in the Derby half as
Derby were unable to get the control they desired and
establish any sort of possession or attacking platform. Two
yellow cards, for loose forwards Eldon Atherton and Paul
Archer, reduced the home side to 13 players which gave
Paviors the advantage. Despite this Derby held on holding
Paviors up over the line on at least two occasions and
coming up with crucial turnovers to relieve the danger. With
two minutes to go until halftime Derby were awarded a
penalty on halfway which captain Phil Maddocks took quickly
releasing Paul Burrows who in turn released wing Ryan Milton
who coasted in under the posts. Good converted and Derby had
an unlikely halftime lead at 14-7 when Paviors had enjoyed
the lion share of possession and territory.
What a contrast the second half turned out to be. Derby
attacked from deep with some excellent passages of handling
and continuity unlocking the Paviors defence. Tom Good went
over shortly after the restart following a mazy run and
outrageous dummy from Elliott Spencer with Spencer himself
then adding the fourth try with a show and go down the blind
side. Good converted one of these scores and Derby suddenly
had a 26-7 advantage.
Derby tried to control the game recognizing that they didn’t
need to let Paviors back into the match by trying to
overplay. Some good deep kicking and solid chasing kept
Paviors on the back foot and enabled Derby to pressure their
lineout. Milton crossed in the corner for his second score
followed by Spencer’s brace following a great inside line
from Adam Wilson which took Derby deep into the Paviors 22.
Good converted the second of these taking the score to 38-7.
Paviors also had a man sent to the sin bin at this point for
a late tackle of scrum half Paul Burrows.
Paviors kept fighting hard and enjoyed their best spell of
the second half. Their competitive forwards enabled their
prop to go over the line for what was a consolation score
following a driving maul. Fittingly it was man of the match
Ryan Milton who had the final word breaking two tackles to
go over again in the corner for his hattrick and put the
finishing touch to a fine second half team performance.
A classic game of two halves with Paviors controlling the
first but being unable to turn their dominance into points.
Derby played some fantastic rugby in the second half and
deserved the victory, final score being Derby 45 – 12
Paviors.
Match Report by Phil
Maddocks
27th Feb'10: Derby 15 -
11 Loughborough University
As Nottingham University Medics
had called off the scheduled league game the Beests
entertained a Loughborough University XV on a mudbath of a
pitch.
The state of the surface meant the game was short of
attacking running rugby and was played out mainly around the
breakdown area. The students to their credit started
brightly and tried to spin the ball around. Derby opened the
scoring when Tom Good converted a penalty which was
cancelled out by Loughborough minutes later. Derby’s forward
pack came to the fore and they retook the lead when a
driving maul enabled 2nd row Adam Wilson to touch down. As
the students tried to up the tempo and use their superior
fitness Derby managed to score again when prop Sam Burkey
forced his way over from close range to ground the ball
right on the whitewash. Good converted leaving the halftime
score at Derby 15 – 3 Loughborough.
Much of the second half was played in the Derby half with
the students looking to end the game strongly and come back
from the halftime deficit. They converted a penalty early in
the second half to close the gap to 15-6. After a spell of
pressure and some solid Derby tackling Loughborough managed
to work the blind side well for an unconverted try. Derby
tried to exert some pressure of their own but lost a couple
of lineouts in key attacking positions.
No further scores were added in a frantic finish leaving
Derby the victors by 15-11 in a committed encounter. In all
honesty the pitch was helpful to the Derby side stopping the
students from throwing the ball around but you have to play
the conditions. Next week sees the pennant league leaders
Paviors visit Haslams for a second versus top fixture.
Match Report by Phil
Maddocks
20th Feb'10: Paviors 12
- 22 Derby
With Old Northamptonians unable to
raise a team the pool turned up an away trip to Paviors for
the Beests. With the teams meeting in a fortnight in the
pennant league the match would be a chance for both teams to
get a look at the other.
Derby kicked off and were first to pressure the opposition
22. Paviors countered and forced their way into the Derby
half in a frenetic opening. Derby scored first after 15
minutes when full back Ryan Milton beat the winger and
tip-toed his way down the touchline to get in at the corner
before going round behind the posts with Tom Good
converting. Derby went further ahead when a loose ball was
hacked downfield by Phil Maddocks. As Derby chased the kick
the ball bobbled loose and was transferred to Eldon Atherton
who was tackled a 3 yards short but popped the ball up for
the supporting Maddocks to dive over the line. Good was
unsuccessful with the conversion but Derby had a 12-0
advantage. Shortly after this further Derby pressure allowed
Good to slot a drop goal to extend the lead.
Paviors came back and had a long spell of pressure on the
Derby line where solid tackling kept them out until Derby
were able to relive the pressure crucially without
conceding. No further points were added leaving the halftime
score at Paviors 0-15 Derby.
Paviors used the slope to keep Derby back in their own half
aided by some silly Derby errors and some rather soft Derby
tackling. Too often tacklers were guilty of going high or
for the ball instead of chopping down the Paviors ball
carriers with low tackles. Following a good spell of
pressure the Paviors centre was able to crash through and
score a converted try to bring them right back into the
contest.
The second half was extremely scrappy with both sides unable
to gain the upper hand for a sustained period. As the game
neared its conclusion Paviors scored again when they made
use of an overlap to put the left winger over for an
unconverted try to narrow the gap to 12-15 with 5 minutes of
the game to go.
The Derby forwards took control and put the game beyond
doubt when they walked a controlled driving maul from 30
yards out for man of the match Sam Goosey to touch down.
Good added the conversion and Derby saw out the remaining
two minutes to take the victory. Final score being Paviors
12-22 Derby.
Match Report by Phil
Maddocks
13th Feb'10: Derby 27 -
05 Newark
The Beests returned to league
action after Loughborough cried off the previous Saturday
against last season’s Pennant League champions. The return
fixture at Kelham Road produced a tight game and a tense
finish with Derby the victors by 15 points to 12.
Derby kicked off playing towards Haslams Lane and against
the breeze and were quickly into their stride. After several
strong carries from Adam Glover and Elliott Spencer in the
opening exchanges Derby created an overlap that enabled the
backs to put Liam Walter over in the corner with the
conversion being unsuccessful.
For the opening 15 minutes Derby continued to press in the
Newark half but the visitors worked their way back into the
game and began to gain territory and put serious pressure on
Derby’s try line. Derby blindside John Lewis spent 10
minutes in the sin bin for foul play and openside Owen West
had to leave the field with a dislocated finger which
enabled Newark to pressure the Derby forwards, Tom Turner
his replacement. Despite some determined defending in their
own 22 eventually the Newark pressure told when the scrum
half took a smart tap penalty 10 metres out and caught Derby
napping to score an unconverted try to level the scores.
Derby hit back and started to gain some yards through some
strong ball carries up front and looking increasingly
dangerous in the backs. However strong Newark defence
stopped them retaking the lead until the stroke of halftime
when Spencer playing at outside centre provided a deft pass
for debutant full-back Nathan Burton to come bursting onto.
Burton then showed good pace to beat the covering defender
to the try line. Matt Down added the conversion giving Derby
a 12-5 halftime lead.
Derby had just about shaded the first half but the game was
still there to be won by either side. It was Derby who
started the stronger again in the second half but were
unable to turn good possession and territory into points.
Matt Down was able to convert a penalty opportunity from 35m
which gave Derby a 10 point lead at 15-5.
Shortly after this the Newark replacement centre was shown a
straight red card for a clear punch on captain Phil Maddocks
following a ruck on the Newark 22 which left Newark to play
30 minutes with only 14 men. Despite their numerical
disadvantage Newark started to press Derby and had a couple
of dangerous passages of play which required scrambling
Derby defence. As Newark began to tire however Derby created
some chances to get the clinching score and finally the man
difference told as Walter was able to go over in the corner
for his 2nd try of the afternoon. Burton, now moved to
fly-half, added a good conversion with the aid of the
crossbar for a 22-5 lead.
Derby looked for another score but continued to pass up
chances. Forward and/or wayward passes, dropped balls and
some brilliant last-ditch Newark tackling denied them.
Hooker Matt Erwin had to leave the field for the last 15
minutes with what later turned out to be a dislocated
shoulder, Callum Martin replacing him in the front row.
Derby did get a final score with the forwards driving over
the line for a try that their collective efforts deserved,
2nd row Greg Bramhall getting up with the ball. The
conversion was unsuccessful but the final result was a
satisfactory 27-5 to the Beests. Pleasing too that the
performance was much improved from the Ilkeston and Matlock
games with good performances all over the pitch. Man of the
match had to come from the pack who had worked tirelessly
all afternoon and was awarded to Ed Perry.
Match Report by Phil
Maddocks
30th Jan'10: Matlock 10
- 19 Derby
Following last week's hard fought
victory against Ilkeston and a mid-week run out against the
NLD U-20s which ended in a 26-10 reverse the Beests were
back to league action against another of their fierce
Derbyshire rivals Matlock. The Haslams fixture had seen
Derby defeat a severely depleted Matlock side 54-5 which
would surely be no indication of the return fixture.
The Beests arrived at Cromford Meadows on a bright day with
a slight breeze blowing from the Matlock end of the ground.
The pitches were still firm from the frost but playable as
the match got underway. Derby were first out of the blocks
and used the breeze to kick Matlock deep into their half.
Their only reward for the early pressure was a 25 metre
penalty kicked by Matt Down to open the scoring. Matlock
defended resolutely and took control of the tight as the
often do in these encounters missing a penalty attempt soon
after. Derby tried to spin the ball wider to nullify this
threat and only poor decision making and the lack of a final
pass on a couple of occasions when a try looked certain kept
the score at 3-0. Finally Derby did double their lead
through a second, longer-range Down penalty.
Matlock got themselves into the game pressurising Derby into
silly handling errors and a lack of urgency from the Derby
side handing the initiative to the men in blue. Derby
managed to escape without conceding and forced their way
back into the Matlock half. From one well-worked backs move
involving Craig Hughes found space to release Ryan Milton
who fed back inside to full-back Elliott Spencer to score
out wide. Down was unsuccessful with the conversion on this
occasion but Derby led 11-0.
Matlock never rollover and give up and with their fly-half
kicking the ball in behind Derby and some good running from
their full-back and wing Matlock pressured the Derby 22
forcing Derby to ground the ball behind their goal line.
Matlock took control of the ensuing scrum pushing towards
the Derby line where scrum half Paul Archer was forced to
dive at the No. 8’s feet and the referee to award the
obvious penalty try which was converted leaving the
half-time score Matlock 7-11 Derby.
Derby had enjoyed the better of the first half, aided by the
wind but only had a slender lead to show for their efforts.
Matlock had grown as the half had gone on and forced their
way into the game so the Beests needed an improvement to
secure victory.
For the first 20 minutes of the second half the pressure
came from the Matlock side with all the play taking place in
the Derby half. Matlock kept the play tight, picking and
driving in an attempt to cross the Derby whitewash. There
were numerous penalties, lineouts and the expected driving
mauls however crucially the Derby tackling was solid and
they turned over ball at key points to relieve the pressure
without conceding.
As so often happens in
sport having just endured this spell of Matlock pressure
Derby delivered the sucker punch. Following some excellent
work from the forwards following a couple of penalties and
lineouts the ball was worked into the Matlock half. The ball
was taken blind where Mike Rollason was able to beat the
covering defender on the outside and then pirouette inside
the full-back to score. The conversion attempt was missed
but the score was now 16-10 in Derby’s favour.
With the Matlock forwards tiring the Derby pack grew and
numerous driving mauls and strong carries took the play into
Matlock’s half. As Derby worked towards the line the Matlock
fly-half was penalised for not rolling away at a ruck
allowing Down to easily slot the clinching penalty. Matlock
rallied but Derby were able to see out the remaining minutes
fairly comfortably for a 19-10 victory.
Match Report by Phil
Maddocks
23rd Jan'10: Ilkeston
10 - 23 Derby
The Beests travelled to the Stute,
home of Ilkeston Rugby Club, having not played in anger
since the 12th December. This game was a league and
Derbyshire 2nd team cup double header so it was all or
nothing for both sides. Derby named a strong line-up to face
their local rivals expecting a physical challenge from
Ilkeston just as it had been at Haslams early in the season.
Derby kicked off on a bright day hoping to impose themselves
early. Indeed it was the Beests that were first into their
stride with Matt Down and Elliott Spencer kicking the ball
deep into Ilkeston’s half. After 5 minutes a turnover from
no. 8 Lee Miller enabled Down to release Rich ‘Fatdog’
Maddocks at outside centre who put Spencer over in the
corner only for the final pass to be deemed forward.
Ilkeston responded and gained some territory down the slope
enabling their forwards to impose themselves on the game.
Derby indiscipline and a yellow card for back rower Johnny
Lewis gave Ilkeston a numerical advantage which they
exploited as their pack drove over the line for a converted
score to give them the lead.
From the restart a shell-shocked Derby pushed Ilkeston back
with a kick and chase over the top which their winger
gathered only to be tackled inside his 22. The Derby
forwards piled in to turn the ball over enabling Stef
Greenhalgh to dummy his way over for a score converted by
Down to level the scores at 7-7. Ilkeston though had the
last say in the half converting an easy penalty from in
front of the posts after another Derby infringement in their
22.
Half-time saw Ilkeston leading 10-7 but Derby had played
well in patches in the first half. Patience was urged at
half-time as scores would surely come if Derby could build
through the phases.
Ilkeston came out of the
blocks at the start of the second half and good tackling
from Spencer and Ryan Milton prevented a serious threat to
Derby’s try-line. However soon followed the defining moment
of the match when Ilkeston had an overlap, span the ball
wide only to knock-on for which the referee blew unheard by
the outside backs competing in the ensuing ruck. Following a
shove by Rich Maddocks the Ilkeston full back received a
straight red card for a retaliatory punch with Maddocks
receiving Derby’s second yellow card of the match.
From then on Ilkeston defended doggedly with a man light in
the backs and Derby began to dominate. The only score that
Derby gained was a penalty from Down to tie the scores and
with ten minutes remaining the game was tied at 10-10.
However the Derby pack aided by replacements started to
dominate the hardworking but tiring Ilkeston 8 and gaps
appeared more regularly. Finally Rich Maddocks was able to
put Mike Rollason over in the corner for an unconverted try
which gave Derby their first lead of the afternoon at 15-10.
Derby surged forward looking for a clinching score but
Ilkeston’s tackling in their own 22 was superb and stopped
them scoring on several occasions when it looked as though a
try was inevitable. From one drive forward Matt Down was
able to stroke over a drop goal which effectively won the
game for Derby. With the last action of the match Down
provided a brilliant behind the back pass for Rich Maddocks
to crash over in the corner for his 10th try of the season
to give the scoreboard a flattering look at full time of
Ilkeston 10 – 23 Derby.
As they say it’s not the manner but the winning that counts!
Special mention to men of the match second rows Eldon
Atherton and the fit again Tom Turner, out since last season
who not only excelled in the line out but were prominent in
the loose all afternoon.
Match Report by Phil
Maddocks
12th Dec'09: Derby 19 -
18 Driffield
Following last weekend’s
disappointment at turning up to Syston to find no opposition
in sight the 2nds welcomed Driffield to Haslams Lane for a
friendly fixture that saw both Driffield 2nds and Veterans
make the trip down from East Yorkshire. Both 2nd XVs had
been on good runs coming into the match so something had to
give but who would prevail?
Derby kicked off playing into the watery sun but with the
gentle breeze at their backs. Driffield immediately tried to
use their backs and spun the ball wide however Derby were
able to gain territory and ground and opened the scoring
after 3 minutes when Rich Maddocks dummied and went in for a
unconverted try. Driffield were stunned and hit back
immediately when they were able to make use of Derby
indiscipline to kick the ball into the Derby 22. Derby were
reduced to 14 men when hooker Sam Hobbs was shown a yellow
card for backchat. Following a good spell of pressure
Driffield worked an overlap on the blind side putting their
full back over in the corner to level the scores. Shortly
after a further Derby indiscretion gave Driffield a penalty
which they easily converted to take the lead 8-5. Driffield
were looking the more dangerous at this point especially out
wide where some good tackling particularly from full back
Ryan Milton prevented Derby falling further behind.
The final ten minutes of the half saw Derby score two
converted tries which gave them a flattering 19-8 halftime
lead. First they were awarded a penalty try when Ryan Milton
was impeded in his efforts to reach a kick through although
Milton did reach the ball first in any case. From the kick
off a break from captain Phil Maddocks led to the ball being
hacked through by Sam Hobbs and when the Driffield fullback
fumbled on his own line Hobbs was on hand to drop on the
loose ball to score.
In the second half Driffield used the wind to good effect
pushing Derby back into their own half. After 45 minutes
replacement Stef Greenhalgh was shown the second Derby
yellow card for verbal and backchat, a worrying trend, and
Derby once again had 14 men. Driffield looked to take
advantage of this and used the width of the pitch and their
speedy wingers and full back to stretch Derby. An
infringement on the 22 gave Driffield the chance to add a
further penalty reducing the deficit to 19-11. At this point
it was very much Driffield in the ascendancy and Derby were
put under pressure, added to by an ever increasing penalty
count which Driffield used to keep Derby pinned back in
their half. On the hour Driffield’s centre was able to find
a gap on the outside of a Derby tackler and scamper over
from 25 yards and with the conversion added the gap was down
to a single point.
Derby were able to get a greater degree of control and were
able to gain a footing in the Driffield half for several
minutes with good breaks from Milton, replacement no.8 Lee
Miller and then Hobbs tip-toeing his way down the touchline
but was unable to reach his own hack through. When Driffield
did regain possession they were able to use the wind to
drive the ball deep and fashioned three or four good
opportunities where either good Derby defence or sloppy
handling prevented a score. They also missed two penalties
which would have given them the lead, one of which from the
halfway line comfortably had the distance but just drifted
left of the posts and the other hit the upright.
Derby had a further chance to add to their total in the
closing minutes but Down’s penalty attempt drifted wide but
Derby just held on to record a 19-18 victory. A spirited and
close game between two very evenly matched sides which Derby
were delighted to hang onto but in all honesty Driffield
will be disappointed to have lost. Derby 2s and Vets travel
to East Yorkshire on 9th January for a new year encounter
where Driffield will have their chance for revenge.
In the club afterwards all were treated to Rich Beevers
disco extravaganza and some good old fashioned rugby cheer.
Next week the 2nds visit old rivals Ilkeston for a league
fixture and then back for the club Christmas party.
Match Report by Phil
Maddocks
28th Nov'09: Derby 30 -
17 Nottingham University
Having had a week off the previous week the Beests were glad
to get back to Pennant League action. Their previous outing
had ended in a dogged 28-17 victory at Scunthorpe a
fortnight ago. Chris Mansley returned to partner Eldon
Atherton in the 2nd row, Phil Maddocks switched to fly-half
and Neill Collier, the original king Beest himself emerged
from Beesty retirement playing alongside Rich Maddocks in
the centre.
Following an unusually lacklustre warm-up it was the
students who were first out of the blocks. Within the first
2 minutes Derby were forced to give away a penalty in front
of the posts which the University fly-half easily converted.
Straight from the kick off a hit from Mike Turner put the
students on the back foot and Stormin’ Norm Collier won a
penalty which Stef Greenhalgh converted to level the scores.
Nottingham Uni then had a prolonged period of pressure using
their speed and fitness to spread the ball left to right and
back again. They were held up over the line on two separate
occasions and only a combination of determined Beest defence
and some poor handling/kicking denied them a try at this
point. However having weathered the storm Derby fought their
way back and scored the first try as Collier burst through
three tackles to score, the conversion proving too
difficult.
Despite some encouraging passages of play from both sides
neither was able to change the scoreboard until on the
stroke of half-time the University were awarded another
simple penalty which their fly-half again converted making
the half-time score Derby 8-6 Nottingham University.
The Beests had the luxury
of making three changes at the interval bringing on fresh
legs in the pack with Sam Johnston, Matt Cox and Sam Burkey
replacing Greg Sewell, John Lewis and Callum Martin. Elliott
Spencer also replaced Mike Rollason in the back three.
Again the students were
quickest out of the blocks and a last ditch tackle prevented
them from scoring a try although a penalty was conceded in
the build up which they converted to take the lead. Alarm
bells were ringing at this point as the Beests were
struggling to get any fluency into their play and were
making many basic errors and conceding possession.
However midway through the half came a spell that
effectively decided the match. Following a series of bursts
and recycled ball the ball was span out to the left wing
where straight running and good hands from Rich Maddocks and
replacement prop Sam Burkey allowed Ryan Milton to score in
the corner. Greenhalgh added a tricky conversion and Derby
had regained the lead. Derby had the ascendancy at this
point and Greenhalgh was able to convert a further penalty
shortly after to extend the advantage. The students replied
with a penalty of their own confidently converted again by
their fly-half.
Shortly after this the ball was again moved wide where
Spencer was able to break and provide a pass to Milton who
was hauled down a yard from the line but had the presence to
pop the ball up to the supporting Spencer to dive over the
line. Greenhalgh added the conversion and Derby had
breathing space for the first time in the match.
Milton was able to go in for his second try again being put
away by Spencer before the students scored what turned out
to be a consolation score with good hands and pace putting
the right wing over in the corner. With the conversion being
missed the final score remained Derby 30 – 17 Nottingham
University.
Match Report by Phil
Maddocks
14th Nov'09: Scunthorpe
2nd XV 17 - 28 Derby 2nd XV
Derby 2nds travelled with the 1st XV to Scunthorpe for a
friendly fixture (if such a thing exists against Scunthorpe)
at Heslam Park. Delays due to motorway traffic meant a
detour, late arrival and shortened warm-up. Due to Eldon
Atherton being delayed on route Adam Wilson was a late call
up to the 1st team replacements which necessitated a hasty
reshuffle of the pack with Greg Sewell moving to 2nd row and
Johnny Lewis stepping up from the replacements bench to
blind side flanker.
Kicking down the slope and slightly into the breeze in the
first half Derby were out of the blocks immediately. From
the kick off Scunthorpe caught and set the ball only for the
scrum half to scuff his kick into the hands of Greg Sewell
who was tackled in the air enabling fly half Matt Down to
knock over a first minute penalty to give Derby the lead.
Derby went through several flowing moves at this point but
were denied an early try by a combination of strong
Scunthorpe tackling and some poor handling. They doubled
their lead when Scunthorpe infringed on the floor in their
22 and Down added a further penalty.
Scunthorpe then had a 10 minute spell where they pressured
the Derby line. The tackling was good and fortunately when
Scunthorpe did get a driving threatening maul the ball was
knocked on three yards from the line. Having withstood this
period without conceding Matt Down then made a jinking break
before providing the final pass for centre Rich Maddocks to
touch down for his 6th try of the season with Down then
converting. Before half-time John Lewis was penalised at a
breakdown and the Scunthorpe hooker easily converted making
the half-time score Scunthorpe 3 – 13 Derby.
The second half turned into a scrappy affair hindered by the
wind and sporadic showers which made handling more
difficult. The now arrived Eldon Atherton replaced Sam
Goosey in the second row and shortly after half time Matt
Down had to leave the field suffering from a second knock to
the head which meant Sam Hobbs coming onto the wing with
Liam Walter moving to outside centre and captain Phil
Maddocks to fly-half.
Derby’s 2nd try came through their best passage of play of
the game. The forwards took the ball on three or four times
with John Lewis, Eldon Atherton and Greg Sewell all
prominent. The ball was switched right to left and then back
to Midfield. Quick ball was then spun back to the left where
Rich Maddocks grabbed his 2nd try of the match in the left
corner.
Scunthorpe then increased
the pressure especially against the Derby pack where a
raking kick drove them to within five yards of the line
where they were able to drive over for a try. They also
kicked the difficult conversion to bring themselves right
back into the match at 10 – 18.
Derby restored their
advantage when following several forward drives off a
lineout Phil Maddocks was able to break through a gap from
ten yards out to touch down and Stef Greenhalgh kicked the
conversion.
Scunthorpe came back again with a carbon copy try in the
opposite corner with their forwards powering a maul over the
line and again they added a tricky conversion to cut the gap
to 8 points. With the last kick of the game Greenhalgh added
a further penalty making the final score Scunthorpe 17 – 28
Derby.
Match Report by Phil
Maddocks
7th Nov'09: Paviors 2nd
XV 34 - 15 Derby 2nd XV
Following last week’s
friendly against Old Northamptonians it was back to league
actions for the 2s against early season pace-setters Paviors
away at Burnt Stump hill. Derby set the early pace with a
couple of good breaks into the Paviors half and were
rewarded after 10 minutes with the first score of the day,
fly-half Matt Down confidently stroking over a penalty.
However this was the only time Derby were to lead as Paviors,
playing some good attacking rugby found some
uncharacteristic holes in the Derby defence and some less
than solid Derby tackling. From one period of pressure the
Paviors number 8 picked up and drove over the line to open
their account. Shortly after a Paviors line-out in the Derby
22 was driven into midfield. From the ruck the ball was
switched back to the wing where the winger had an easy
stroll for Paviors 2nd try. Good hands contributed to
Paviors 3rd score stretching the Derby defence to allow the
full-back to put the winger into the corner for his 2nd try.
Shortly before half time Simon Rolfs was harshly despatched
to the sin-bin for a ‘personal foul’ and the Paviors
fly-half added a further penalty to make the half-time score
22-3 to Paviors.
The second half started in
much the same vein with Paviors scoring first when their
inside centre cut back and then broke the last tackle to
score. Derby finally got some shape and structure to the
game and might have scored earlier had there not been some
rather dubious officiating of the tackle area however Derby
did score on the hour when following numerous attacking
phases around the Paviors posts Simon Rolfs took a short
line and crashed over the line with Matt Down adding the
conversion.
At this point the Derby
pack really started to pressure the Pavior’s scrum winning
several penalties and disrupting Paviors ball. However it
was Paviors who scored next with the outside centre going
over right in the corner despite some last ditch Derby
tackling. Derby did get the last try to give the scoreline a
more reflective look about it, the forwards driving a
line-out towards the Paviors line where Adam Wilson forced
his way over for his 3rd try of the season to make the final
score Paviors 34 – 15 Derby.
Paviors deserved their
victory with Derby’s performance hugely disappointing
although to their credit they kept going and in fact got
stronger as the game went on. The poor tackling was, in the
end, the difference between the two sides and Derby lost
their discipline on more than one occasion reacting to
refereeing decisions which gave Paviors possession and
territory. Next week the 2s travel with the 1st XV for a
friendly away to Scunthorpe.
Match Report by Phil
Maddocks
31st Oct'09: Old
Northamptonians 2nd XV 17 - 37 Derby 2nd XV
As the 1st XV were scheduled a league fixture away at Old
Northamptonians the 2nd XV also travelled to Northampton to
take on the Old Northamptonians 2nd XV.
Derby played up the deceptive slope into the breeze in the
first half but it was ONs who were quickest out of the
blocks. Solid Derby defence kept the early scores level and
it was Derby who took the lead when Tom Good slotted a
penalty from the 10m line following an illegal tackle on
Mike Rollason. Further ONs pressure followed with Derby’s
defensive organisation again holding up and keeping them
from scoring. From a defensive scrum 5m from their own line
Eldon Atherton picked up from the base and transferred the
ball through the hands of Phil Maddocks and Matt Down to
Ryan Milton on the right wing. Milton drew the covering full
back and again fed Down who provided the final pass for Tom
Good to sprint clear and score an unconverted length of the
field try.
ONs continued to press and
were rewarded for their first half efforts when the ball was
moved quickly from a ruck allowing the right winger to evade
the cover and dive over in the corner with the conversion
being missed. This was the final score of the half with
Derby leading 8-5 at the break.
Derby, now playing down
the slope, effectively won the game in the opening 10
minutes of the 2nd half. Immediately the ball was switched
right to left and following a strong run from 2nd row Sam
Goosey the ball was fed to Johnny Lewis who slipped a pass
to back row partner Eldon Atherton to score from 3 metres
out with Good unable to add the extra 2 points.
Five minutes later good
lineout ball provided the backs with an opportunity to run
at ONs with Rich Maddocks providing a gain-line pass to Matt
Down to come on from full back and round his opposite number
for his first Derby try with Good converting. Liam Walter
then scored the first of his brace of tries in the left
corner following good team build up.
ONs to their credit never
gave up resistance with some strong running, especially from
their inside centre. They managed to create an opportunity
which stretched the Derby cover allowing the fly-half to
cross for another unconverted score to reduce the deficit.
Derby re-established their
lead when Good crossed in the corner for his 2nd try and
Liam Walter also grabbed his 2nd beating three men to cross
the line. ONs were rewarded with a consolation score under
the posts which they converted making the final score Old
Northamptonians 17-37 Derby.
Match Report by Phil
Maddocks
24th Oct'09: Newark 2nd
XV 12 - 15 Derby 2nd XV
The 2nds travelled to Newark on the back of two resounding
victories, 64-0 away at Loughborough and 54-5 at home to the
old enemy Matlock. Newark are the reigning league champions
and recent encounters have been very tight.
Playing with the breeze in the 1st half Derby showed some
ambition to get the ball wide and run at Newark with Simon
Rolfs, Joe Jackson and Ryan Milton all making good breaks. A
misfiring line-out however prevented the constant supply of
ball that Derby could have used to put serious pressure on
the Newark line and often possession was handed back to
Newark. From a penalty Newark’s fly-half put a good raking
kick into touch in the Derby 22. Newark took the lineout and
drove towards the line but were halted by the Derby pack.
However several pick and drives later they opened the
scoring with a try but missed a relatively straight forward
conversion.
Derby responded from the kick off and soon reduced the
deficit through a Tom Good penalty. The rest of the first
half was played out in the middle of the pitch with little
threat to either try line leaving the half-time score Newark
5-3 Derby.
The second period consisted of two distinct halves. For the
first 20 minutes of the second half Derby came out of the
break firing, working hard around the breakdowns and
pressuring mistakes from Newark. From one turnover the ball
was driven and released quickly exposing an overlap against
the Newark defence which allowed Man-of-the-match Dave
Fitchett to scamper over near the posts for a try that Good
converted to give Derby the lead.
Derby could have scored again but on two occasions were
guilty of giving away penalties when in good positions. They
did further the lead however midway through the 2nd half
when good hands from Simon Long, Phil Maddocks and Dave
Bussell released Tom Good into the corner from 15 yards out
for an unconverted score.
From this point Newark dominated the territory and
possession as they used the wind and the increasing penalty
count in their favour to drive themselves deep into the
Derby half. With 10 minutes to go the Newark winger took
advantage of a missed tackle to go over near the posts for a
converted try and the stage was set for a grandstand finish.
Newark laid siege to the Derby 22 and try line with line-out
after line-out, maul after maul and Derby tackle after Derby
tackle. Tempers boiled over on more than one occasion
betraying both teams’ desire to win the game. But Derby held
on at the death with the final score Newark 12-15 Derby.
Match Report by Phil
Maddocks
10th Oct'09:
Loughborough II 00 – 64 Derby 2nd XV
The Beests travelled to
Loughborough on the back of the previous weeks improved
performance against Mansfield. Would they be able to put
together back-to-back league wins for the first time this
season?
Inside the opening two
minutes Derby forced a scrum inside the Loughborough 22.
Dave Bussell picked up from number 8 and drew the covering
defenders slipping the ball back inside to Stef Greenhalgh
to score. Shortly after a good passage of play led to the
ball being transferred to Liam Walter on the left wing to
score in the corner.
Inside 10 minutes Derby
had their 3rd score when Sam Goosey powered the ball into
the Loughborough 22 and the supporting forwards were on hand
with Adam Wilson stretching over to score. This was shortly
followed by a sweeping backs move where Rich Maddocks
provided a deft inside ball and Liam Walter scored his 2nd
try of the match throwing an outrageous dummy in the process
to scamper over untouched. Simon Rolfs also crossed showing
good strength and fly-half Tom Good went over in the corner
on the stroke of half-time making the score Loughborough 0 –
38 Derby.
The game was scrappier and
more disrupted in the 2nd half and Loughborough to their
credit kept working to close down the space for Derby and
competing at the breakdown. Darren ‘Wolverine’ Hersey
entered the fray at halftime and was soon on the scoresheet
with a fine run from the halfway line, outstripping the
covering tackler to go around under the posts. Another
replacement, Joe Jackson pounced on a loose ball to hack on
and score midway through the half. Tom Good benefitted from
the tiring defence to score his 2nd try of the afternoon and
the final score came right on the final whistle with Big
Callum Martin taking at least three Loughborough defenders
over the line with him to score. In all Good added 7
conversions making the final score Loughborough 00 – 64
Derby Wildebeests.
Match Report by Phil
Maddocks
3rd Oct'09: Derby 2nd
XV 35 - 05 Mansfield 2nd XV
After the disappointing
performance and result against Notts Medics the previous
week the Beests knew that an improved display would be
necessary against rivals Mansfield. Contests between the two
clubs are usually hard fought and this clash proved to be no
different.
Derby played towards
Haslams Lane in the first half to utilise the wind and were
quickly into their stride. The forwards were at Mansfield
from the beginning and the front row of Burkey, Erwin and
Callum Martin, returning to the 2nd XV, won a Mansfield
scrum against the head. Stand-in scrum half Phil Maddocks
went blind and fed Dave ‘Lethal’ Bussell on the left wing
with plenty of work still to do. Despite the attention of
two Mansfield defenders Dave managed to drag both over with
him to open the scoring and Derby led 5-0.
Shortly after Derby pushed
Mansfield back to their line where they gave away a penalty
under the posts for handling in the ruck which Tom Good
converted easily to give Derby an 8-0 advantage. Shortly
after the kick off a penalty was awarded to Derby on the
half-way line which was taken quickly and transferred along
the backs for Ryan Milton to sprint clear and score near the
posts. Unfortunately the conversion was missed but Derby led
13-0.
Mansfield seemed
shell-shocked but slowly started to exert pressure around
the breakdown and it was the Blue and Whites who dominated
the next 10 minutes. Derby gave away several penalties and
eventually following many close quarter drives Mansfield
spun the ball to their left winger to crash over in the
corner to open their account Derby 13-5 Mansfield at
half-time.
Derby had played better
than the previous week and were competing well in the
breakdown which is an area where Mansfield are traditionally
the stronger. The team talk centred on going through the
phases and wearing down the opposition to create
opportunities.
The second half was
scrappier than the first but Derby continued to hold their
own in the forwards and good work from Johnny Lewis, Sam
Johnston and Dave Goodman in the Derby back row turned over
a fair amount of Mansfield ball.
Midway through the second
half Derby exerted their growing dominance up front when
Adam Wilson took a lineout thirty yards from Mansfield’s
line. The resulting maul was marched to the Mansfield
try-line where Dave Bussell had joined in from his left wing
to score his second try and make it Derby 18-5. Ryan Milton
scored his second try from a good passage of interplay
between forwards and backs, scampering into the right corner
with Good adding a decent conversion and straight from the
kick off Derby worked their way down to the Mansfield 22
again for Good to land a drop goal to make it Derby 28-5
Mansfield.
The final score came from
Dave Goodman juggling the ball and gathering before
stretching over with Good adding the final conversion to
make it 35-5 to Derby. The last five minutes were played
largely in the Derby 22 with Mansfield showing good
character to keep going but were unable to breach the Derby
defence.
Match Report by Phil
Maddocks
12th Sep'09: Derby 2nd
XV 41 - 19 South Leicester 2nd XV
Can’t read my, can’t read
my, no you can’t read my Beesty Face!
Seeing as I’ve been bullied into this match report, I’d like
to say that Colin Cornfield does not play buffalo – FACT.
The Beests were disappointing last week against
Wellingborough, this was a much more convincing performance
against a strong South Leicester team, the majority of whom
had visited Haslams Lane in pre-season.
After an excellent warm-up led by Beest Technical Director
Paul ‘Big Time’ Archer, the game kicked off in glorious
September sunshine. South Leicester had much of the early
pressure but it was the Beests who scored first, fly-half
Tom Good forcing his way over in the corner after some good
recycling work by the forwards. With the ascendency in the
forwards South Leicester bounced back strongly, scoring a
converted try almost straight from the kick-off as Derby
failed to deal firstly with the kick-off, and then with a
sequence of close-range drives for the line.
Derby refused to be cowed by the visitors’ power and
organisation in the pack, and began to win some convincing
first phase ball. Two carbon copy tries followed in quick
succession for the Beests. Turnovers at the breakdown
created quick ball for the Beests’ potent back line – Louis
Gandolfo managed to break the line twice, twice drawing the
last defender and twice feeding Rich Maddocks for the ex-Fatdog
to touch down twice under the posts, Tom Good converting.
Half-time, 17-7 to the Beests. The second half started much
as the first had ended – the Derby forwards creating good
ball for the backs to use, with Good putting Gandolfo
through a large gap in midfield. Louis used his two
supporting players as dummy runners, creating indecision in
the covering defenders and skating between them for a fine
individual try.
South Leicester continued to battle, scoring another try
through their forwards after several close-range drives as
some sloppy first-up tackling allowed them into range. Good
added a penalty to the Derby total, before Liam Walters
benefitted from a fortuitous ‘pass’ from Rich Maddocks to
touch down in the corner, again Good adding the extras.
A consolation try and conversion for South Leicester was
bookended by Rich Maddocks’ hat trick try, a result of a
flowing Beest move from within their own half ending with an
outrageous dummy which made Jon Lewis fall over in
amazement. Goody added the conversion, and that was the
game, 41-19 to the Beests. A handsome margin of victory
against a South Leicester team who were certainly no
slouches – this was certainly the best Beest performance in
a while in terms of both execution and tactics. Ilkeston
next week, the Beests on a roll!
MUUUUURRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!
Photographs
of the game can be viewed within the
Photograph
Galleries
Match Report by Paul
Archer
