u11s match reports

1st May'05: Mold Festival

Hot on the heals of a disappointing NLD performance came a visit to Mold Festival to try and atone for losing out in the final at Newark. Despite the long drive to North Wales , some bright sunny skies broke through in time for the first group games. Just to add a bit of spice for the festival we found out fairly early on in the week that we would be playing Welsh RFU continuum rules which would require some significant changes including 10 men teams, no pushing in the scrum and playing with a size 3 ball!

GROUP MATCHES:

Derby 10 - 00 Whitchurch

Derby 05 - 05 Leeds Roundhegians

Derby 20 - 05 Nantwich

Our opening match against Whitchurch, saw some convincing rugby being played. A first half try from Harry Rudkin was followed by a Ben Wilkinson try in the second half to seal a good win and get us off to the best of all possible starts. Leeds Roundhegians were up next representing something of a strong test. A first half try by Callum Hay running in from 20 yards out, gave us a good start but some good pressure by Leeds saw them come back with a score in the second half to even things out. In the third group match we were pitched up against Nantwich. A quick score by Ben Wilkinson following some excellent handling from the backs, was followed by a score by Nantwich straight from the kick-off. A try by Bobby Carr following some good back interplay however saw us take the lead just before the end of the first half. Further tries by Sam Martin and a second of the day for Harry Rudkin in the second half rounded off a very convincing win which meant us leading the group and progressing to the semi-finals.

SEMI-FINAL: Derby 05 - 00 Mold

Our previous encounter at the Derby festival with Mold was something of a competitive game, up against an inventive team who could move the ball about a bit. True to form, a tough and hard fought game ensued. In the second half however the Mold defence was broken with a try from Bobby Carr following some great forward play and some excellent handling and running from the backs. In a tense last few minutes, Tigers stuck with it to run out deserved winners by the single score.

FINAL: Derby 10 - 05 Manchester

The final saw us pitched up against Manchester who we haven’t really come up against before. In a bit of tense match (its not worth it Gary ) some early pressure saw the Tigers camped out in their half but not quite making any progress. A score from Harry Rudkin, sneaking in from close to the line was ruled out early on, which kind of made us wonder whether this would be another disappointing result following on from last weeks NLD final. A score from Manchester , slightly against the run of play, started however to put a different complexion on the game. Coming straight back at them with a great score from Will Shevlin, Tigers started to stamp their authority on the game. A second score with a few minutes to spare before the final whistle sealed an excellent victory which was worked hard for in every way you could think.

SQUAD: Bobby CARR, Alex EARLY; Ben EDMUNDSEN; Scott HAYWOOD, Bradley HOPKINS, Lewis MADELEY, Iwan PALMER, Will SHEVLIN, Josh MacALLION, Sam MARTIN, Harry RUDKIN, Luke WALTON, Ben WILKINSON

The matches saw another set of quite awesome performances from the forwards who just get better and better with every game, responding to new sets of challenges in every new game they play. As far as the backs were concerned they adapted well to the 10 man game passing well, committing men and generally working extremely well. All in all it was a nice way to end the season playing some good rugby winning in style and in the company of such good hosts who were incredibly friendly and extremely welcoming (I think they like us as the Derby squads were voted the fair play trophy). Thanks to all the supporters who made the trip for what was another long day watching the lads – congratulations all round to the squad.

Match Report by Dougie Carr & Photos by Ian Hopkins

25th & 26th Mar'05: Gullivers Tournament

Here's a link to the Derby RFC Gullivers Tournament Report & Photos of page.

3rd Oct'04 :		Derby Tigers	28 - 07	Burton A
3rd Oct'04 :		Derby Stags	00 - 28	Burton B

After the previous weekends lacklustre display in the curtain raiser against Burton, Derby Tigers really turned on the style against the same opposition.

The major change was the forward play with the pack being quick to the breakdown and a steady supply of quick ball to the backs. Although all the pack had raised their game special mentions should go to "Mad Dog" Madeley who had a storming game and Roomey who put in a big effort playing lock for the first time. Also worth mentioning, props George and Ewan plus other lock Harry for workload and some crunching tackles.

When the ball did come out, the backs, fed by scrum half, Foggy Watts played some fantastic running rugby which culminated in 4 tries. The fly half , SOS Martin (1 try), and the new centres pairing of Wilko (1 try) and Frixou (2 tries) were particularly devastating accounting between them for all four tries. All ably converted by SOS. Mention should also go to the full back Bobby, who handled the ball brilliantly and made a lot of ground for the team with some fine runs. To complete the all round team performance Alex Early, Ben Edmundson (sub) and Scott Hayward (sub) all had fine games on the wings, not getting too much ball but certainly doing their fair share of support and defensive work.

Congratulations should also go to the Burton lads who were very well organised and at no stage stopped competing.

Derby Stags also played Burton and although losing by four tries and conversions a lot of positives came out of the game. A large number of players were playing their first competitive game and all acquitted themselves well by being organised in responding to what Burton threw at them. Special mentions should go to scrum half Matt whom gave a terrier like performance, sniping at his opposite number. Bradley had a rampaging game at lock as did Hayden at prop and if we can get the new guys to be confident in running with the ball; confident in their support play and pushing in the right direction we will be unstoppable.

Match Report by Glenn Martin - Photographs by Brian Leverington