Talk about getting off to a bad start – at the eleventh hour (well. . . Thursday evening) I received an e-mail from the tour organiser (Teamlink) to tell me our first fixture of the tour against Sunderland had been cancelled and we would have to find some alternative!  

So, we set off on Saturday morning with a vague idea of “ Rugby on the Beach” heading off for Seaham, which the Good Beach Guide described as soft and sand. The beach was anything but soft and sandy although it proved ideal for a stone throwing competition; a good way to kick-start the boys competitive spirit. We then headed off to a nearby grassy knoll for a few exercises. The boys commenced with an alternative warm up, moved on to a re-enactment of the NLD cup final, and finished with Rugby Bulldog. The re-enactment, entitled “The Greatest Moments in Rugby History” by Paul Wilkinson, consisted of the boys demonstrating to the parents what the key points of that monumental game were (with Paul taking an unconvincing part as Vlod Surma).  

That evening we were invited to Houghton Rugby Club (our hosts for the Tournament the next day) to enjoy a cultural event in the form of an Elvis impersonator – what an experience! The club was smaller than expected; once we arrived we FILLED the place. The Elvis impersonator was quite a good singer and made a fair representation of Elvis’s voice, but even though he had the characteristic white jump-suit, he still gave the visual impression of Elvis in his last week of life. The boys weren’t too impressed and so one of the club officials switched on the pitch flood lights and let them throw a ball around. Not all of the boys were from the U14s team; bigger kids joined in (AKA Simon Murfin) – the things beer will make you do.  

Sunday – the day of the tournament, back to Houghton for 9:30am and registration. The competition consisted of three pools of four teams playing each other in their own pool. The top two of the pool would go forward to the cup, the other two going into the plate.  

Pool match vs. Moortown: The boys made a fantastic start to the competition, within the first couple of minutes Captain Ryan Holmes started the try count. With only a minute left in the first half, Ollie Ruddock was able to take advantage of some panicked defence to cross the line and bring the score to 10-0. Within a minute of the start of the second half, Moortown scored and converted. From a penalty outside the opposition 22, the ball found it’s way to Josh Harvey to get our last try of the game. Moortown managed a second try before the final whistle to bring the final score to Derby 17 – Moortown 12.  

Pool match vs. Houghton: Facing the home team in the second (and back-to-back) game should have set us a real challenge but the game was won by half time! In the first half Derby scored four unanswered trys; first was by Ollie Ruddock, next by Ryan Jones, then by Callum Proctor, and finally by Jordan Hughes. Houghton put up stronger opposition in the second half but still didn’t cross our line. After numerous attacking attempts by Derby , Ryan Holmes took a number 8 pick-up to get the only try of the second half. Final score Derby 33 – Houghton 0.  

Pool match vs. Aklam: Two down, one to go; a place in the cup looked promising. And so it was – keeping the opposition from scoring whilst achieving four trys of our own. Josh Harvey got his second try of the day, a pick-and-go from a ruck just short of the try line. Ryan Holmes got his third try of the day just before the half-time whistle. In the opening minute of the second half, Ryan made a full pitch run to pop the ball to Josh Dixey in support, leaving Josh to touch the ball down. Chris Ruggins scored the final try of the game to leave the score finishing at Derby 28 – Aklam 0.  

Quarter Final vs. Horton: This was, without a doubt, the most ill-natured game the Derby U14s had encountered; the Horton players expected to muscle their way to a win and their adults were shocked when they failed. Their first surprise came when Joe Pass , in the opening play of the game, broke free of a maul to put us in front; the only try of the first half. The second half started as acrimoniously as the first had left off and after five minutes Horton finally succeeded in leveling the score. This did not deter our boys; in the dying minutes of the game, Jordan Hughes took advantage of the opposition’s poor discipline to cross the line and win the game. Final score Derby 12 – Horton 7.  

We stayed to watch the final – Gosforth lost to Westhoe, who never looked anything but winners throughout the tournament. It had been a good day; the squad had done exceedingly well. Our kickers, Enan Kenyon and Ollie Ruddock, did a marvellous job in increasing our point’s score. Every boy gave his all and no doubt can prove it by the amount of bruises they came away sporting.  

The “Entertainment Evening” courtesy of CEO Robbie Jones succeeded in lots of laughs all-round and serious embarrassment to three poor souls. Robbie decided that this year we would play her twisted version of the “Generation Game” with the boys playing the games, and the aforementioned poor souls being the judges. The judges (Phil Jepson, Jim Proctor, and yours truly) made their grand entrance. . . dressed as Can-Can girls, dancing to the Can-Can!!! The boys, split up into four teams, carried out their assigned tasks and the judges marked their efforts. True to form the tasks were a combination of funny, embarrassing, and revolting – a wonderful combination that had everyone laughing. The “Evening” ended with a tour group rendition of the Can-Can, and then to the bar for a well-earned drink.  

Monday – time to go home. Sunday had been a long and tiring day, and the weather forecast wasn’t good for Monday. Feeling fragile, it was decided to have a relaxed start to the day, have a gentle ride up to “The Angel of the North”, and then return home to Derby . The design for the back of the tour shirts (sponsored by Adrian Harvey, designed by John Kenyon) pictured “The Angel” and quite a number of people had never been to see the real thing. So off we went. Spending ten minutes or so there for yet more photographs, we climbed back onto the coach for a very quite trip back to Derby .  

This tour had a tough standard to meet after last year’s excursion to South Wales ; it proved to be different. I think people enjoyed it, in-fact they must have – there is already talk about next year!  

Many thanks to the boys for playing so well and entertaining us; to Joe Keble for still touring even with his broken leg (get well soon); to Clive Keble for sorting out the “refreshments” and organising the fund raising team (Caroline Rusga, Dave Ruddock, Sally Dixey, Colin Pass,  Adrian Harvey – tour shirts, and Mark Bracey – boot bags courtesy of Alstoms); to Robbie Jones for the Sunday evening entertainment; to the coaches (Paul Wilkinson, Jim Proctor, and Phil Jepson) for all their work with the boys; and finally to my wife, Mary, without her the tour would never have been possible.  

Ilkeston RFC provided the setting for this final between Lincoln and Derby with both teams playing a game of Rugby as beautiful and as satisfying as any major match - at least for the Derby team and supporters who have waited and worked long and hard to become NLD champions.

In truth, Lincoln must have known the writing was on the wall as Derby notched up tries almost at will in the first half. Winger Vlod Surma was the first to exploit the surfeit of possession provided by a rampant Derby pack, with Josh Harvey, Ryan Jones and Joe Wilkinson leading the charges. Vlod crashed over from wide out but Enan Kenyon could not convert. Lincoln managed a penalty in reply after Derby infringed when the Fen men made a rare foray into the Derby half. Derby fly half Chris Ruggins was next in on the act, following a shrewd kick through by scrum half Tom Rusga. Lincoln
failed to gather and after a scramble near the line, Chris was able to gather the ball and get over the line.  Enan converted this one, taking the score to 12 -3 in Derby 's favour after sixteen minutes.

Shortly after, play swept up field for Derby 's wide pace man on the left wing , James Waterhouse, to glide over untouched,  as Lincoln failed to deal with his searing pace. That took Derby almost out of sight,  even though Enan failed with a difficult conversion. Callum Proctor, Derby 's hooker, who gets better with every game , made sure of victory by half time when he crashed over, again from a move orginated by Tom Rusga. Enan managed to convert this one - so Derby turned round 24 -03 in the lead.

The second half failed to live up to the excitement of the first. Lincoln pressed hard - Derby defended well, leaking one unconverted try. Near the end of the game Jordan Hughes took Derby 's total to 27 points with a penalty after Lincoln infringed yet again at the ruck.

Post match celebrations back at Derby Rugby Rugby Club set the seal on a great day for a group of young men and their coaches who have gelled this season as a team. Sadly Joe Keble, who was injured at the end of the game couldn't join in.  We wish him a speedy recovery.

All the players in this squad deserve our praise. Special thanks must also go to coach Paul Wilkinson, who has seen his dream realised, his two cohorts, Phil Jepson and Jim Proctor,
team Captain Ryan Holmes, organisational wizards Adrian and Mary Holmes, honorary team Doctor Nigel Ruggins, Roman Surma for sponsoring our cup final post match shirts and all the other parents and friends who help make this team so special.

I said that when we beat Stamford   05 - 07 on a freeezing day last year that our name was on the cup.  It is now - 

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS .....

An eagerly anticipated match, promising a clash between the two strong sides, perhaps each reflecting the industrial heritage of their home towns - Coalville, solid, hard working with a proud mining heritage and Derby full of modest commitment and a combination of hard work and technical ingenuity. Anyway, back to the rugby, this is a match report, not an essay on social history! 

A reshaped Derby side, due to injuries and school commitments, had the honour of playing on the first team pitch. With the  wind in their favour, Derby showed commitment and enthusiasm, supported by some good tactical kicking to put pressure on the Coalville line from the outset. However, the visitors responded and the match became nip and tuck. In the fourteenth minute, a strong break by the Coalville openside flanker resulted in a try (unconverted) for the visitors. 

Derby again pressed, using the wind to kick deep into the opponents half, but their opening try came through a good three-quarter move bringing James Waterhouse into play down the touchline to score a fine touchdown. ( Derby industrial history note - his run  could be compared to a Rolls Royce Merlin powered Spitfire streaking through a determined but slower and less agile defence). The try was converted by Enan Kenyon. 

Early in the second half, Derby showed speed and movement to put pressure on Coalville, resulting in a second try for James Waterhouse five minutes in. The try was again converted by Enan Kenyon, kicking well into a gusty wind. ( Derby 14 Coalville 5). The next twenty minutes was all about Coalville pressure in the Derby half, for the most part close to the line. During this time the Derby team defended really well, showing strength, commitment and (for the most part) good judgement. Consequently Coalville began to flag and Derby , refreshed by fresh legs from other squad members, moved into the Coalville half, scoring a try, well taken by the winger Tom Birch, in the final minutes of the match. Final score Derby 19 - 05 Coalville. 

So, for their final home match of this season, the Derby team put in a strong performance for which all of the players can be proud - the commitment and work rate of the forwards was excellent and the backs showed similar determination with some strong tackling and a rapier thrust when chances needed to be taken. We look forward now to Loughborough in a couple of weeks and then to Lincoln in the NLD final on 23 April. 

We suspected that Melton would give us a challenging game, and so they did. This match turned out to be one of the most physical of the season so far.  

Derby got off to a great start and soon crossed the opposition’s line in the form of Joe Pass ; unfortunately the ball was held up but we still had a penalty to revert to in Melton’s 22. Captain Ryan Holmes took advantage of the situation to secure the first five points and Enan Kenyon added a further two. Melton retaliated and their effort eventually paid off; finally they broke free of a maul close to the Derby line to score their first and only try.  

The second half saw some changes in players and positions, changes that allowed Derby to take and keep the dominant place on the field. Melton defended well but eventually Josh Dixey found a chink in the defence, slipping through for a try. Again Melton pushed us back, but the Derby lads did not buckle. After camping out in the Melton 22 for what seemed like an age, Derby had a lineout a short distance from the try line – the last play of the game. Josh Harvey, like a speeding bullet, took possession of the ball and shot over the line to clinch the game!  

Melton sure knew how to maul, something they were happy to do all day, but Derby managed to show them that they hadn’t got the monopoly and produced some of the best driving mauls of the season. Thank you to the Derby and Melton boys for such an enjoyable morning.

For Sleaford read Siberia . A numbing easterly wind blew right across the pitches at this windswept venue, but it couldn't hide the warm glow Derby felt after getting to their second NLD final in as many years. 

Derby were 12 points up in less than ten minutes, with tries from winger James Waterhouse - a smooth 30 yard run in under the posts -followed quickly by Captain Ryan Holmes galloping over for another from the re-start. Full back Enan Kenyon converted one. 

So with the surroundings doing a passing impersonation of the Russian steppes, we keenly awaited a try fest. It didn't come - there were no more points scored -  Mansfield 's defence worked hard to keep Derby out.

Derby took their foot off the pedal somewhat and the biting cold and the dreariness of Lincolnshire in March did the rest. At least this year's final is going to be played in the more familiar surroundings of Ilkeston -  Mediterranean compared to Sleaford. Fittingly too it'll be on Sunday April 23rd, St. George's Day.  

Derby I'm sure are ready to slay whatever dragon comes their way. Well done to all the team and the coaches, you thoroughly deserve your success. You are one game away from glory!

A depleted Derby squad travelled to a new venue at Barton, to play Burton, in what promised to be a competitive warm-up for the important NLD match coming up in a couple of weeks. On a dry but cold and blustery day, on a good pitch, Derby  kicked off and made an impressive start, pressurising the Burton line from the outset. However, as a consequence of some poor tackling, albeit against strong running, Burton broke out to score first and the try was converted. 

A passage of competitive play ensued, with a reward for Derby when Chris Ruggins scored, chasing a kick upfield and touching down in the corner. In the period which followed Derby competed well up front and had several breaks down the centre. However, Burton were able to make use of limited possession, through good distribution and strong running with players breaking through tackles to run in three more tries before half time. Derby, driving impressively towards the Burton line were unfortunate not to get a score back in the dying seconds of the half. The teams turned round at 22-5 to the home side. 

The match provided an opportunity, through necessity, for a number of players to display their skills in unfamiliar positions and the lads deserve credit for their adaptability and enthusiasm. For much of the time in the match Derby were competitive in terms of possession and territory, but there are clearly lessons to be learned from this defeat.  

This development team fixture against the Loughborough B squad allowed some boys the opportunity to play a full game for the first time and others, returning from injury, a chance to get back to the game without too much pressure.

Although not having enough players to form a complete development squad, and therefore topping-up with NLD squad players, the game relied on every one playing their part – and they did.  

Derby dominated both halves of the game, getting four tries in each, whilst living in Loughborough territory for almost all the time. 

In the first half the tries came from Sam Hallam-Grey, Josh Dixey, Lewis Bracey, and Joe Wilkinson.

The second half tries came from Jonathan Murney, Josh Dixey (x2), and Ollie Ruddock.  

It is good to see some fresh names on the score sheet and others that have not been there for a long time.

Not knowing the opposition’s form meant that the Derby team had to get off to a first-rate start, get a good lead, and then give the developing players a run out. This formula proved to be a winning one.  

Within the first minute of the game James Waterhouse, returning from injury, started the try count; Enan Kenyon making it seven points. The Derby boys managed to keep Kesteven pinned back and after ten minutes of play had an attacking five metre scrum. This resulted in getting the ball to Josh Harvey who crossed the line and again Enan converted. Kesteven had received their wake-up call and fought back to spend time in the Derby half but were unable to score. Minutes from the end of the first half, with a try by Derby ’s Nathan Morris being disallowed due to being held up, Kesteven defended the line with all their might but were unable to stop Jim Brunt from scoring his first try for the team!  

With a decent cushion to the score there was opportunity to make some changes in the second half and the score kept on rising. Vlod Surma got a try within five minutes and from that restart Ryan Holmes ran three-quarters of the pitch to get one of his own. Unable to add to his personal try count Chris Ruggins made the following two; the first via a kicking chase to allow Jordan Hughes to finish off; and the second in an impersonation of a Carlos Spencer cross-field-kick for Lewis Thompson to get his first try for the team.  

In extra time Derby took their foot off the pedal and their attention off the game which resulted in allowing Kesteven to score two easy tries – a deserved consolation to them having not given up throughout the whole game.

Derby coach Paul Wilkinson was forced to make further tactical changes, bringing Ryan Holmes back to number eight,  putting full back Enan Kenyon in the center and bringing on Robbie Newport at number fifteen. At the re-start it looked like game over for Derby as they missed their tackles after failing to gather the ball cleanly yet again. From ensuing play the Stamford fly half ran through some poor defence and got over near the Derby posts. The conversion was an easy one  putting the home side 15 points adrift . It was then the renaissance of Derby began with some fine surging runs from number eight Ryan Holmes, fire from within the hearts of the Derby forwards and crisper handling in the backs. Centre Chris Ruggins began the come back as he bashed over, ignoring an overlap and crossing the line himself. His father heaved a loud sigh of relief from the touchline as he did!  Enan Kenyon couldn't convert from wide out. There followed more cohesive play from the Derby pack as they fought  back into this match, letting winger Vlod Surma, who had another good game, finish off a move from broken play. This time Enan added the two points.

Derby started strong and, thankfully, carried on the theme throughout the whole game. Doncaster made infrequent visits to the Derby half in the first half, being on the back foot for most of the 25 minutes. Chris Ruggins managed to rack up 10 points during this time; the first try coming from a 5m scrum won by Derby against the head and the second try followed three minutes later in very similar circumstances, only this time the scrum was Derby’s.  

The second half proved to be even more rewarding to Derby than the first. Chris managed his hat-trick thanks to some excellent rucking and mauling from the forwards. A minute after Chris’ try the “Whirling Dervish”, Vlod Surma, cannoned through countless Doncaster players to cross the whitewash; Enan Kenyon converted. Defending all the way, Doncaster gave way to the constant pressure and Captain Ryan Holmes took advantage of the situation to gain another five points. Two minutes in to injury time Doncaster mustered an attack that saw them achieve a consolation converted try.

Still smarting after last weeks loss against Nottingham , the coaching team approached this game with a change of tactics; start the game with the more experienced players and get a lead. This was just what the team needed, although for the first ten minutes or so it looked a little doubtful !  

Once the team had settled down they moved out of their half of the pitch and took camp in the Newark half. A Derby scrum in the Newark 22 succeeded in the ball being passed out wide eventually allowing Jonathan Murney to open the try count in the seventeenth minute. It didn’t take long for the score to be increased, this time by Vlod Surma; Enan Kenyon converted. Newark fought back well and played the game in the Derby half but weren’t able to cross the try line.  

The second half allowed some of the less experienced players to show what they could do and they rose to the challenge. Still playing the majority of the game in the Newark half, a wonderful effort by the forwards in the fifteenth minute saw Josh Harvey notch up the third try of the game and Ollie Ruddock convert it. In the dying minutes of the game the fourth and final try was scored, this time by Joe Wilkinson.  

The Derby boys played like a different side from that of the previous week. They showed determination and team spirit which allowed players to be exchanged throughout the game without disruption. The Newark team were no easy push-over; although the final score may not reflect it, they gave us a tough game.

The development squad threatened to run away with this match from  the outset - only to face stiffer Sleaford resistance in a second injury littered half. 

From the start it was obvious Derby 's forwards had the upper hand, both at the set piece and the ruck and maul. Tries piled up in the first period as Derby spent much of the time in the Sleaford half, resulting in scores from Jonathan Murney, Leyland Parnell and Jordan Hughes. Only the last one was converted.

Jordan Hughes,  who hassled and harried from scrum half all morning, converted his try from near the posts.  The whole pack gave the platform for the backs to enjoy quite a lot of freedom and only last ditch tackling by the Sleaford full back stopped three or four more Derby tries. 

Sleaford obviously had a talking to at half time and managed at the re-start to make a rare foray into the Derby half, scrambling over for an unconverted try.

Rory broke his collar bone and will be out of action for several weeks. Despite the injury toll the development squad had much to be pleased about and they can look forward to a good Christmas break.

This NLD quarter final tie between last year's two finalists was always going to be a titanic struggle and so it proved. When Wellington trounced the French at Waterloo in 1815 the great General acknowledged it had been "damn close run thing".

The draughty and cold playing fields of Stamford provided their own 21st century version with both teams slugging away right down to the final whistle.  In the first half, Stamford started quickly and pushed Derby 's ranks of tacklers to the limit as they pressed hard. They'd obviously remembered last year's final when Derby succumbed all too quickly to their onslaught. But this time it was different. The visitors stood firm and matched the Stamford pack, no quarter was asked for or given.  At half time it was still all to play for, no one had managed to score any points and at the turn round it stood 00 - 00.

From the re-start it was Stamford who again pressed hard and managed to scramble over wide out for a try after a driving forward display. Their conversion attempt failed.  

Derby dug deep and swept the ball back in several moves, only to be thwarted by strong Stamford tackling.  For the dam to break in Derby's favour it needed something special - and this time the visitors didn't let their following supporters down. From just outside the visitor's 22,  the ball broke loose after some fine Derby rucking. Captain Ryan Holmes was on hand to set up a pass which gave Derby 's centre and pace man, James Waterhouse,  a sniff of the line. He accelerated through despairing tackles and charged upfield at great speed, leaving Stamford players in his wake, crossing the try line and running under the posts to touch down. Enan Kenyon duly converted to give Derby a precious two point lead. And that's how it stayed.  

Dogged determination from Derby, who from 1 to 15 played like they really wanted to win, were not going to let this chance of revenge slip by. How sweet it was to see a smiling coaching team, parents, supporters and players enjoying the moment of victory when it finally came.

The semi finals of the cup now beckon in March. Derby need to take that same dogged strength, determination and fine running to that game. They look like a team which is aiming to go all the way to the final again this year, but there are still hurdles to mount. Credit should go to Stamford who didn't want to relinquish their hold on the NLD Cup easily and who played their part in a fine match. But to the victors the spoils - and the smiles.

This second round NLD Cup match was over as a contest in the first 15minutes. In that time Derby had scored three converted tries and Scunthorpe were left wondering what had hit them. They never recovered. The try tally continued to give Derby a 38 point to nil lead at half time . The visitors lost some momentum after the turn round but soon got back into gear with two more converted  tries. The game was stopped as soon as over 50 points had been notched up.

Special mention should be made of Enan Kenyon's kicking - six from eight - some of them wide out on the field - a pleasing total for the full back.

The try scorers for Derby - a good mixture of forwards and backs -  were Callum Proctor, Vlod Surma (2) Micky Lam, Leyland Parnell, Ollie Ruddock, Josh Harvey and Nathan Morris.

Derby are beginning to build a good flowing game. A few more passing moves through the back line will help their cause. They can look forward to facing a sterner test this coming Sunday when they face Loughborough at home. 

For the supporters who made the coach journey with the team it was a pleasant day out in the autumn sunshine. Add to that a great breakfast service, a good club atmosphere and you have a potent mixture for enjoyment.  If only Scunthorpe 's rugby could add the icing to their undoubted catering prowess!

Eight tries and two conversions tell the story of this one sided affair against visitors Glossp in a first round NLD cup match. Right from the start Derby imposed their running and passing  game on a team who were powerless to stop the onslaught.  Winger Vlod Surma got the first of his two tries in the opening minutes , converted by Enan Kenyon. There soon followed a brace of unconverted tries for flanker Micky Lam, who had a fine match. Chris Ruggins celebrated his 14th birthday in style with an interception try near the interval, which Enan converted, taking the score after 35 minutes to 24 -00.

The second period  began much as the first with fly half Ollie Ruddock quickly crossing the line. Winger Vlod Surma added his second, Captain Ryan Holmes got in on the act with a try and Ollie Ruddock dived over again to finish the job. Enan converted that one to take the final score to 42 - 00. What it tells us about Derby up against quality opposition is hard to tell. Strangely too flanker Nathan Morris was sin binned for what the referee called "perisistent offside". He was unlucky to be picked out.  Derby will face much sterner tests in the months to come if they're to stand a chance of getting to - and winning - the NLD Cup.

Winger Vlod Surma capitalised on good ball and opened Derby's second third account with a fine try following a flowing move. Enan Kenyon hit the post but failed with his conversion attempt. Fly half Ollie Ruddock followed with another try, sweetly converted by Enan,  to take Derby to just four points behind Doncaster .  From then on it was one way traffic, with Derby 's backs and forwards combining well, culminating in fine  tries by Leyland Parnell and James Waterhouse. Enan Kenyon converted one, to give Derby a 27-19 lead.

Strangely there were no more scores in the third third,  but by then Doncaster were a spent force. Perhaps