20th Mar'10: Derby Vets
15
- 11 Southwell 2nd XV
Top of the table Derby
Vets faced second place Southwell 2nds in this top of the
table Pennant League 3 clash.
The nerves showed from the kick off as Derby fumbled the
catch and conceded a scrum in their own 22. The Vets quickly
cleared their lines and soon settled into some well
structured multi-phase rugby. On ten minutes forwards and
backs combined and with Matt Bates driving deep into the
Southwell defence Mickey Thomson took the pop ball only to
be tap tackled inches from the try line. This was the first
example of Southwell’s brave defence and throughout their
tackling was outstanding.
In spite of the windy and damp conditions both sides looked
to ship the ball but Southwell’s handling was laboured and
the Vets not only snuffed out their attacks with relative
ease but also turned over the ball with Nige Enright, Phil
Houlton and Norm Collier’s combined 100 years of senior
rugby experience showing through.
A Derby line out on Southwell’s five metre line was harshly
judged not straight but this turned out to be to the Vets’
advantage as pressure from Murphy and Enright resulted in
the latter charging down and catching the visiting stand
off’s clearance to touch down. The conversion went begging
and Southwell were soon back in it with a close range
penalty. Inexplicably the Vets then lost concentration and
only very poor place kicking from Southwell saw them change
ends 5-3 down.
Murphy rang the changes at half time to re-invigorate the
Vets and the ploy worked with the senior citizens camping in
the opposition 22 for sustained periods only to be foiled by
stout defence and a confused referee who at one point seemed
to tackle Murphy himself. On 60 minutes the Derby forwards,
stretching Southwell right and then swinging the ball back
left, created space for Nick Tipping to dance home from 15
yards. Ralph Knibbs converted from wide and then added a
further penalty to give Derby some breathing space. Houlton,
Collier, Murphy and Rich Beevers all went close before the
gloom and the referee’s whistle dampened Derby’s progress.
The final points went to Southwell through a penalty and an
unconverted try to leave Vets the 15-11 winners and still in
pole position to take the Pennant League.
Match report by The Whistle Blower
13th Mar'10: Worksop 07
- 38 Derby Vets
The vets travelled up the M1 to
the scene of last year’s misery and keen to redress the
balance.
With 16 men they travelled to Worksop with things feeling a
little bit like Rorkes Drift and no Michael Caine.
With only a 3 minute warm up allowed the kick off saw the
vets weather a little bit of Worksop pressure. It became
obvious that all they needed to do was wait, stay
disciplined and play basic rugby and things would go their
way. This didn’t take long with some superb back play ending
with Micky T, all 15 ½ stone, sprinting for the line like a
demented bull but with all the grace and demeanour of a
ballerina. Sir Knibbs was then pressured to take the kick in
under 1 minute and totally f*ck*d it up. However still 5-0.
The game progressed and some fine counter attacking by
Draycott and O’Mara saw drakes himself going over the line
from 60 metres out, grounding the ball before having to
deploy his parachute to slow himself down. This time the
derby sub having been dragged from his deathbed and
suffering a blown up knee to cover, Ireland, managed to get
the T on in time for Sir Ralph to kick the conversion. The
start of a perfect spell of kicking for Sir Ralph was now
underway.
Some great forwards work saw the ball whipped down the line
to the backs. Judge Raynor throwing a superb pass to
Collier, who strutted over the line in his namesake’s
fashion. SR converted, 19-0.
The dreaded lack of discipline returned to haunt Derby for a
while and 2 penalties were awarded to Worksop, only for both
to be missed.
The second half saw derby become rampant. Sensing avengement
for last year this half saw Draycott running in some superb
counter attacking, supported by Tipping. The full backs
defensive work had been superb and he constantly threw his
body on the line, only for the Worksop pack to dance on it.
Some great handling saw the Cypriot Hurricane, Felix,
careering around the pitch like a traffic warden in
Westfield.
Collier went over for his second. SR, now in the swing, duly
converted. Worksop hit back with a well worked try but it
was never going to be enough. More superb counter attacking
and well worked moves in the backs saw Sir Ralph go over,
converting his own try.
With 2 minutes to go Ireland was bought on for a power play.
The leading appearances utility forwardbackleftwingprop
player gave the Pack a huge boost. With Worksop so
mesmerised by the arrival of such a persona, Murphy was able
to sneak over the line unnoticed.
6 tries in the bag, thank you very much. Job done, Southwell
here we come.
Match Report by Micky T
5th Dec'09: Nottingham
Casuals 2nd XV 06 - 47 Derby Vets
The Vets welcomed Felix
Frixou back from international duty with Cyprus for what
skipper Kieron Murphy described as a potential banana skin
for the table topping senior citizens. The flat, wide and
well groomed pitch indeed looked well suited to young legs.
The first 15 minutes gave
no clue to the final outcome of this ultimately one sided
contest with Casuals shading the action. Taking the lead
with a well struck penalty Casuals followed up with a well
constructed break of 70 metres which was superbly foiled by
Paul Draycott who overhauled his opposing 20 something
winger just five metres from the Derby try line. Nige
Enright picked up the loose ball and carried it and at least
three Casuals players to safety.
Playing into a stiff
breeze Derby began to find their feet, keeping possession
well rather than kicking away the precious pill. There was
strength and will power but ultimately it was two moments of
absolute class from Ralph Knibbs that cracked the Moderns
defence. First he shimmied in midfield, dragging both
Moderns centres and their right winger out of position
before arrowing a pass of ten metres into Graham Boyd’s
path. Boyd scorched down the touchline, brushed off the
opposing full back and touched down in the corner. Within
minutes Knibbs had picked up a loose ball in midfield
following a strong Derby hit and dummied outrageously
opening a gap through which he sprinted 25 metres to the try
line. Beevers converted.
Casuals won a penalty from
the restart following an error from an unidentified
packaging magnate and reduced the deficit to six points, but
Derby extended their lead when its powerful pack forced an
error at the base of a Casuals’ scrum for Phil Houlton to
add to his impressive try tally. Beevers again added the
conversion.
Casuals six, Derby 19 at
half time but a classic nil-nil mindset was required given
the threat of Casuals’ pace. Using the wind to good effect,
Dave Pickering pinned the youngsters in their own half with
his trusty boot and they quickly buckled with first Norm
Collier opening up the defence before Houlton added his
second. The tries, both converted by Beevers, were the
result of super support play from Derby’s pack with Andy
Ackford, Steve Messam and Houlton all effective in the
loose. Derby were also dominant in the tight, disrupting
Casual’s own ball at will and giving Kieron Murphy and
Pickering time and space to launch their hard running backs.
Robert Booth and John Welham worked hard in the boiler room,
whilst Matt Bates, Simon Joslin and Enright dished out a
lesson in front row play.
With the away win and
bonus points in the bag Derby twisted the knife by bringing
on fresh legs in the form of Frixou, Trevor Lafferty, John
O’Connor, Graham Darby and Nick Tipping. Two further tries
were added with Collier breaking several tackles to score
his second of the day and Tipping finishing off a flowing
move instigated by Messam deep in his own 22. Pickering
converted both tries into goals.
The Vets have scored 141
points and 22 tries in three weeks with just 11 points and a
single try against. After all these years are they getting
the hang of this game?
Match report by Kaz
Sewell-Affayer
21st Nov'09: Derby Vets
56 - 00 Amber Valley 2nd XV
Derby Vets returned to
league action against local rivals Amber Valley 2nds. Valley
have triumphed consistently over the Vets in recent seasons
notably in last season’s Vets county cup final so there was
pride as well as points at stake for the home team.
Derby’s conviction was
clear from the kick-off with Nigel Enright flattening the
receiving Valley flanker with a piledriving tackle. The
resulting turnover was passed quickly through the Derby
backs with Nick Tipping dummying beautifully to score in the
right hand corner. Within minutes Richard Beevers scored in
the identical spot after more good hands and him rounding
the defending Valley winger and full back. Soon after
Beevers slotted a penalty goal to make up for his two
earlier missed conversion attempts. Derby were ahead 13 nil
in no time at all and Amber Valley were on the back foot as
they borrowed Graham Darby from the home replacements’ bench
to substitute the injured Matt Worsey.
Derby continued to
dominate but couldn’t turn pressure into points as they over
complicated their play. Had complacency set in? The ship was
righted by a few stern words from Steve Messam during
another lengthy injury break. The Valley hooker limped off
to be replaced by Derby’s Keith Mason Moore. On half time
Derby added a third try with Andy Ackford finishing off a
rolling maul. Beevers converted.
Now playing uphill and
into the wind Derby prepared for Amber Valley’s fightback.
The long kick off was fielded deep in the Derby 22 and
within moments Graham Boyd was sliding over in the left hand
corner after the ball passed through at least ten Derby
players’ hands in a single phase of play. End of fightback.
Derby were to add a further five tries through Norm Collier,
Dave Bussell, Trevor Lafferty, John O’Connor and Steve
Messam. Beevers converted three of them.
This was a fine Derby
performance which would have vanquished opponents without
Valley’s unfortunate injury toll. Every man jack played his
part, with Darby and Mason Moore deserving special thanks
for joining the opposition ranks. The front six of Lafferty,
Enright, Matt Bates, Mick Thompson, Ackford and Robert Booth
were awesome driving a traditionally strong Amber Valley
pack all over the shop. The back row of Phil Houlton,
Bussell and Messam ripped and tackled everything that moved
in a black shirt. Half backs Collier, Andy Cripps and Dave
Pickering passed and punted beautifully. Ralph Knibbs, Mark
Smith and O’Connnor were penetrative in attack and firm in
defence. The back four of Boyd, Beevers, Tipping and Graham
Darby, joining his own team for the second half, outpaced
and out thought their younger rivals.
Match Report by Amber
Nectar
14th Nov'09: Derby Vets
38 - 05 Lichfield Vets
Derby Vets returned to winning
ways with a six tries to one victory over long standing and
powerful adversaries Lichfield Vets. But was the visitors’
power in question today as they had requested unopposed scrimmaging? Derbyshire’s finest would be turning in his
armchair at such a thought.
Dave Bussell opened the scoring virtually from the kick off,
picking up at number eight 40 metres out and side-stepping
and sprinting past a startled Lichfield back line. Ralph
Knibbs converted. Unlike the two previous Saturdays when
Derby had paid for poor finishing the team was precise with
its handling and running lines with strong forward drives
and both wingers Paul Draycott and Graham Darby seeing
plenty of the ball. Whenever the visitors broke clear Derby
turned them over and Norm Collier and Knibbs pinned them
back in their 22 with shrewd line kicking. From stolen line
out ball Collier fed Draycott inside for the muscular
speedster to power over for a fine try. Knibbs converted
again. Momentum was lost briefly when Steve Messam limped
off to be replaced by Andy Ireland who limped on. The curse
of wounded knee or just a twinge for the back row meister?
Normal service was resumed on half time as Derby benefitted
from advantage granted by the man of the match, referee Paul
Teager, as Knibbs ran 25 metres to score in the corner from
four metres out. Given Knibbs began his run in line with the
centre spot, students of Pythagoras will know exactly how
far he was from the touchline when he scored and why even he
found the conversion too difficult.
Lichfield are strong and respected opponents and whilst
others would have thrown in the towel they battled on
bravely and it was sometime before Derby added a further
try, with Sean Eley dancing over from short range. Would
this atone for him losing two against the head unopposed?
With Knibbs’ protractor back in full working order he
slotted the conversion. Campbell Wigley then scored the try
of the day with a move that began deep in the Derby 22. The
Derby forwards counter rucked a Lichfield incursion and fast
hands fed Wigley who joined the line with real pace to
sprint home from his own half.
The visitors continued to battle and were rewarded with a
try but Derby replied quickly with the excellent Mark Smith
breaking several tackles to touch down under the posts.
Knibbs added his fourth conversion.
Match Report by My Name
is Earl of Lichfield
7th Nov'09: Derby Vets
07 - 13 Kesteven 2nd XV
This top of the table clash began
at a fast pace with both sides attacking with menace and
defending with aggression. Derby began to control the game
though with strong running and excellent ball retention.
Glynn Acton in his first outing of the season was
instrumental breaking from scrum half and firing quick
passes to the Derby backs. Outstanding defence and bold
counter attacking kept Derby at bay until debutant centre
Mark Smith broke three tackles and fed Phil Houlton in under
the posts only for a forward pass to be called.
Derby kept their heads and their structure but couldn’t get
that all important first score. Steve Messam, Mick Thomson
and Steve Loomes all went close before the adventurous
Kesteven backs began to penetrate the Derby lines. Building
on the ground gained the visiting pack rumbled deep into the
Derby 22 and a well timed burst from a Kesteven support
player broke Derby’s defence.
Derby created further pressure which was compounded by
Kesteven’s poor clearance kicking which Paul Draycott in
particular exploited with clean catching and penetrative
running. Kesteven’s admirable defence continued to hold out.
Another Kesteven clearance failed to find touch but on this
occasion the Derby defence was isolated and the Kesteven
winger picked up a loose ball and sprinted home from half
way to score a second unconverted try.
The half time message to Derby was clear. Don’t panic.
The quality of rugby was maintained with both teams
entertaining the growing crowd but both defences held firm
until Kesteven stretched their lead with a 30 metre penalty
goal.
Campbell Wigley joined the fray and his trademark twisting
and turning was soon causing problems for the Kesteven
defence. Robert Booth and Matt Bates punched holes on the
Kesteven defence after another Wigley break and the ball was
recycled down the Derby back line for Draycott to score in
the corner. Ralph Knibbs drop kicked the conversion to set
up a frantic final ten minutes.
It was all Derby and a succession of five metre scrums.
Nigel Enright claimed a try but ‘unsighted’ the referee
didn’t make the award. Kesteven scrapped out the closing
minutes and took the honours.
On reflection Derby knew they should have won but all credit
to Kesteven who mixed wily forward play, outstanding defence
and real enterprise in the backs.
Photographs
of the game can be viewed within the
Photograph
Galleries
Match report by
Kesteven Fry
31st Oct'09: Derby Vets
10 - 13 Notts Moderns Vets
A much changed Derby Vets, featuring backs Ireland and
Frixou in the pack, took the field for a rare friendly
against even rarer Vets opposition in the form of Notts
Moderns.
Both sides attacked promisingly early on but neither could
finish what they started with loose passes and slippy hands.
The stop start nature of the game was reinforced by the
visitors’ refusal to accept the referee’s decisions which
resulted in frequent and time consuming lectures from the
official.
Moderns began to take control upfront punishing the less
experienced and lighter Derby pack and eventually their
front eight drove over from a line out to take the lead with
an unconverted try.
Relying on scraps from broken play the Derby backs made some
good breaks but their only reward of the half was a Mabbitt
penalty goal which in any case was quickly cancelled out by
a well struck Moderns penalty.
The second half brought more of the same. Moderns dominating
up front, strong running and tackling from both sets of
backs and the visitors constantly challenging to the
referee’s interpretation of the laws. Moderns’ frustration
was understandable but did they have to act like spoilt
Premiership soccer players?
For a short period Moderns actually focused on playing
rather than moaning but had two scores turned down for
infringements over the try line. Eventually their pressure
resulted in an unconverted try.
With just five minutes left Derby scored their own try with
Wigley running in from 70 metres after a dubious steal by
Joslin and quick hands through the half backs. Mabbitt
converted to bring Derby within three points but the game
petered out with no further scores.
Match report by 'the invisible man'
24th Oct'09: Southwell
2nd XV 07 - 14 Derby Vets
Good teams win ugly when required.
Derby Vets are a good team.
Down the slope first half, Derby set up camp in Southwell’s
22 but stuttered and stammered and failed to turn pressure
into points. Opportunities went begging and when finally
Derby got their act together the referee failed to award two
tries as he couldn’t see the ball being grounded. If not an
argument for video technology in junior rugby certainly a
case for the referee having a sight test at the earliest
opportunity.
Derby’s progress was further delayed by a scene straight
from Strictly Come Dancing as Murphy and Collier collided in
comedic fashion following a tap dance penalty. Southwell
cleared but only to Draycott who, continuing the
terpsichorean theme, pirouetted through six Southwell
defenders to dot down under the posts. Beevers converted.
Southwell struck back quickly though, nicking ball at the
back of a Derby ruck with a strong suspicion of offside. The
try was converted to square the scores. Back in the
Southwell half Collier made a great break and slipped the
ball inside for Houlton to score but for the myopic referee
awarding a penalty for an alleged push on him by Beevers.
Very, very strange. Honours even at half time.
Uphill and against the wind Derby were clearly now second
favourites, a feeling only reinforced by the penetrative
running of Southwell’s young backline and the big boot of
their stand off. The back three of Draycott, Frixou and
Pickering fielded the many high balls ball safely though and
countered strongly. Eventually Derby’s forwards found the
attacking consistency to match their defence and for a ten
minute period battered Southwell’s own 22. It was to
Southwell’s credit they only conceded one score during this
period with Enright touching down and Pickering converting.
The final ten minutes was all Southwell and sides less
determined than Derby would have buckled. The old men
produced some great second line cover whenever their first
line was breached, with one memorable tackle from Knibbs
cutting the Southwell full back in two less than ten yards
from the Derby line.
An ugly yet magnificent win.
Match report by Big Vern
17th Oct'09: Bingham
1st XV 05 - 25 Derby Vets
Bad news they say comes in threes.
For Derby Vets this consisted of an accident blocking the
Battle Bus’ progress to Bingham down Brian Clough Way,
demonstrations at Ratcliffe power station on the resulting
detour and Andy Ireland’s dreadful sense of direction.
The good news? It was Saturday, the Vets were facing a team
half their age in the form of Bingham Firsts and the delays
allowed no time for a tiring warm up.
Foolishly Bingham tried to mix it with the senior citizens
from the off with Keith ‘The Judge’ Raynor being taken out
from the kick-off with an unfair challenge. Sin bin time for
the Bingham No. 8. A raking touch find from Collier, a giant
leap from McManus and a straight drive from the Vets pack
won a penalty which Beevers slotted from 35 metres.
Derby simply never looked back from that confident start and
within ten minutes registered their first try with Loomes
dotting down in the left corner following a sweeping move
down the back line after superb multi-phase forward play.
Beevers added the extras with a super touch line conversion.
There was significant set back on the form of a serious knee
injury to Max Allen who having been carried off by seven men
took no further part in the game. Were the clapping Vets
saying farewell to Derbyshire’s finest? A further Beevers
penalty was followed by a Houlton try after a forward/back
back/forward combination. Bingham ended the half on high but
strong Derby defence and great cover from Loomes shut the
youngsters out.
Bingham’s improvement continued down the slope in the second
half with an unconverted try but Messam cancelled that out
quickly, driving over from ten metres with Thomson in close
attendance. Beevers converted. Derby were unlucky to have a
bonus point try disallowed and the game ended without
further score despite Derby’s forward dominance.
Match report by Morecambe and Wise
10th Oct'09: Derby Vets
22 - 03 Worksop 2nd XV
Derby’s third league game of the
season required payback for a rare league defeat away to
Worksop at the end of last season. Skipper Murphy reminded
his willing warriors that revenge is a dish best served cold
and warned against reacting to Worksop’s wily ways.
Worksop were indeed a tough bunch and fronted up well to
Derby’s strong pack. Their young backs were inexperienced
though and struggled against the guile and cunning of
Knibbs, Collier and Murphy. It was Murphy who opened the
scoring to remind us his skill matches his strength. Mabbitt
converted. A second try followed quickly with Ireland
reminding is waste matches his shorts. Mabbitt converted
again.
Worksop fought back and spurning two kickable penalty
chances couldn’t break Derby’s defence. Messam’s tackling in
particular gave lie to his professional status as a health
and safety expert however the ref decided he was interfering
unfairly and sin binned him.
Worksop continued the pressure in the second half again
camping on Derby’s line. Messam returned to the fray but was
immediately replaced in the bin by Ackers. Derby settled
though to seal the game with a Mabbitt penalty and a
pushover try from Booth. Worksop ended the scoring with a
stoppage time penalty.
Match report by Games Worksop
26th Sep'09: Derby Vets
53 - 23 Notts Moderns
The weather was warm and windless, the crowd expectant and
the ground hard (as the wearers of new boots testified after
the match). Derby kicked off and began by storming the
opposition. It looked as though the game would not be able
to continue at this pace but to think that would be to
underestimate the fitness and commitment of this Derby Vets
team.
Derby struck first through
Steve “wing of fire” Loomes. Soon after came an amazing
piece of inspired acceleration from ‘the flying tug’
Ireland, going over the line from 20 yards out. An even
battle saw the half end with Moderns leading by 20 points to
19.
The half-time talk by
Kieron Murphy spoke of how privileged the team were to be
involved in such a great game of rugby and that, with a
little tinkering, the game was there for the taking. How
prescient he was! The team talk had the desired effect.
Derby scored more than 30 points in the 2nd half and the
pack’s dominance continued from the first half. The number
of strikes against the head tipped double figures and in one
scrummage the Derby No8 was so enamoured with the striking
style of his Hooker that he offered him the chance to do it
again – in the same scrum. The passes held and darting runs
from Campbell Wigley, Norm Collier, Phil Houlton and Mickey
Thompson along with masterly feints and pirouettes from
Ralph “Old Rosie” Knibbs (which at one point saw him send
the other 29 players and the Ref the wrong way. But the most
masterly performances were from Derby’s wingers, who made
ground almost every time they touched the ball.
There were cameos all over
the park including the sight of the Derby Hooker fielding an
opposition kick in his own 22 and sending it back with a
siege gun effort to find touch way into the opposition half.
Although he claimed it was excellent positioning, a couple
of his uncharitable team-mates did wonder what he was doing
30 metres behind play.
Although Steve Loomes
crossed three times, the efforts of John Welham were much
appreciated by the students of the game who appreciate pace
and power and the opposition girded their loins every time
he got hold of the ball. It behoves this reporter to point
out that each of the wingers was giving at least 15 years to
his opposite number.
The entire squad was used
in this endeavour and there was no loss of skill, courage or
effort from any of the changes.
This is a formidable group of men and the whole is truly
greater than the sum of its parts.
Scorers: Tries: Loomes (3) [But no jug!]; Thomson (2);
Ireland; Murphy; Houlton. Conversation: Knibbs (?)
Photographs
of the game can be viewed within the
Photograph
Galleries
Match Report by Bernstein and Woodward
19th Sep'09: Derby Vets
18 - 06 Ilkeston III
Derby Vets returned to league action with a depleted squad
for a variety of personal reasons. Pre-match preparations
were further hindered by a constantly changing kick-off time
which shortened the Vets’ usually thorough warm-up.
Supporting today's skipper Matt Bates, Steve 'Sister Sledge'
Messam reminded the lads that we are family and, for the
next 80 minutes, not to freak out and to use slow hands to
control the game.
Winning the toss, Derby chose to play downhill but it was
Ilkeston who opened the scoring with a well-struck penalty
from 30 metres. Derby kept calm though, and the forwards
gradually began to dominate Ilkeston's craggy pack who, in
desperation, conceded penalty after penalty. Seeking tries
rather than penalty goals, Derby eventually unlocked
Ilkeston's solid defence thanks to clever hands from
stand-off Norm Collier and strong running from centre
Campbell Wigley. Richard Beevers converted.
More of the same from Derby with Felix Frixou having his
best ever back row game, ably guided by Phil Houlton and
Steve Messam, who tackled and turned ball time after time.
The line out was especially pleasing, with either the
featherweight Frixou being lifted high or Andy McManus
catching and stealing at will. Another slick move from the
backs was rounded off by right winger Beevers who shrugged
off his opposite number and his full back. Surprisingly,
Derby failed to score again in the half despite good
pressure overall and strong running from Mickey Thomson and
Wigley. To the contrary, Derby conceded a silly penalty and
their lead was cut by three.
Breathless, or possibly just shy, Bates invited Messam to
conduct the half-time team talk. And he didn't disappoint
when he reeled off his 'next score wins' routine. As usual
the maestro was spot on, with consistent Derby pressure
being rewarded by two Jonny Mabbitt penalties in an
otherwise scoreless half. This was partly due to brave
Ilkeston defence, a mystifying decision not to award Frixou,
now on the wing, a penalty try and Keith Mason Moore's
Teflon-based pivot skills. Ilkeston did spend 10 minutes in
Derby's 22 but the home defence was superb - not one missed
tackle all day.
A great start to the league campaign! And it’s worth
remembering that the Vets have lost just five fixtures in
their three seasons of league membership. They truly are
family.
Match report by Dr Fox
12th Sep'09: Lichfield
28 - 07 Derby Vets
Derby Vets' season opened with an away fixture against one
of their most respected opponents, Lichfield All Stars. The
word ‘Vets’ can't truly apply to Lichfield due to their
tendency to field underage players - and today was no
exception. Their 20-year-old centre, in particular, reminded
Derby's genuine Vets of days (and pace) gone by.
That said, Lichfield's over 35s were in the majority and, as
ever, they were no mugs, particularly up front where they
won the lion's share of possession. Most of the first half
was spent in the Derby half where the visitors got in some
early season tackling practice; a brilliant last ditch
tackle from new skipper Kieron Murphy and text book driving
defence from debutant Joe Mills deserving special mention.
Eventually Lichfield broke the deadlock with a converted try
following a half break by the aforementioned adolescent
back. Derby camped in Lichfield's 22 for the last 10 minutes
of the half, but a lack of composure and scrappy handling
took the teams to the turn at seven-nil to Lichfield.
The first 20 minutes of the second half was even-steven, but
a turning point arrived in the form of a nasty knee injury
to Derby's man of the match Mills. Lichfield then took
advantage of sloppy and uncommitted Derby play by stealing
three soft tries, all of which were converted by their
excellent and 40-something stand-off. With pride at stake
against local rivals, Derby raised their game in the final
10 minutes and, after several phases down the right
touchline, switched the ball back through every back's hands
for Felix Frixou to finish well in the left corner. Dave
Pickering slotted the extras sweetly.
The better team had won but surely there is far better to
come from Derby's senior citizens.
Match report by Prof Rolf
