The road to Sleaford from Derby and back is yet again seeing a lot of traffic, with some of us having been twice in a week due to county and club games there in the same week. The lads arrived on Sunday to find that the nice dry and firm conditions from the Wednesday night had been replaced by wet clag that made for treacherous footing, and seemed to affect everybody’s ball handling at various times through the match.  

Sleaford seemed to be holding their own for much of the first fifteen minutes or so, absorbing pressure from both our forwards and backline, helped by some poor handling on our part and a few poor decisions about what to do with the ball, and one of the adult Sleaford supporters who used an umbrella to punctuate his opinion that Mickey James had been somewhat over zealous in a maul. Mickey got the point, both literally and figuratively! Eventually the pressure Derby was putting on Sleaford began to tell, and we came from defence in our half into attack when the forwards won possession and a pass reached Matt Holton who kicked ahead and tackled their receiving fullback with Callum Schofield in close pursuit. The ball went loose and Callum kicked it on, chasing it over the try line to touch down with several Sleaford players attached to him. James O’Halloran got the conversion to make it 7:0 to us.  

The remainder of the first half was scrappy, with no further scores due to Sleaford absorbing the few attacks we made without dropping the ball, Callum having come nail-bitingly close after another surging run following on from some good forward play. Another near miss saw James O’Halloran coming into the line from fullback, the ball then passing from him to James Reid, who drew a tackle before passing to Neil Baker, who got it to Matt Fearn before the final pass to Adam Norris, who was put into touch only a yard short of the try line. The lads also learned a further lesson in the futility of arguing with the ref over decisions they thought were questionable, thereby ensuring they never then got the benefit of the doubt in 50:50 situations. When will they finally learn to keep their mouths firmly shut unless asking legitimate questions of referees? It never pays to make the ref annoyed and probably makes questionable decisions even more likely! More positively, Sleaford never threatened our line, and our defence was solid whenever they did try to run at us. Notable was our winning of the ball in the lineouts - theirs as well ours – a testimony to the changes made last week that proved as fruitful for us against Hull Ionians, with Callum jumping at 2 and Neil at 4. Also worthy of mention was the driving with the ball in the loose play by the forwards, with MOM Sanjay Kumar being particularly hard for Sleaford to handle.  7-0 at half time, and the lads needing some strong direction from Roxy about concentrating on the matter in hand and playing the game the way he has coached them to.  

The second half saw a more focused Derby putting constant pressure on Sleaford and earning themselves two good tries, the first coming from the kickoff when Sanjay drove forward having stripped the ball from the receiver, the ball then passing along the back line to Adam Norris on the other side of the field, and when he was tackled, Liam Bayliss (playing at centre for a change) making the ball available again to the forwards who set up clean ball for Jamie Turner, who swung it back across through most of the back line, and when Sleaford were forced to make the try-saving tackle, Matt Fearn was there to gather the ball and go over to score. 12:0 to Derby. The second try came after the forwards regained possession in our 22 from one of Sleaford’s rare forays into that area, with the ball passing slickly down the back line (ably assisted by Callum and James Reid) before Rory Toman received it on the run on the right wing, then slickly kicking ahead and, accompanied by Matt Holton, tackling the Sleaford fullback behind their 22, shortly followed by the Derby forwards, Fraser Hughes winning the ball and going over the line to make it 17 : 0.  

Some very uncharacteristic poor tackling around the scrum by Derby saw the Sleaford number 8 (who had played much of the game at centre) run half the length of the field to score a pride saving try, before Derby came back for their final score of the game. This came once again from some good defensive work gaining turnover ball, with Mickey fly kicking the ball when it came loose in order to avoid being taken out by several Sleaford tight forwards, Matt Holton chasing after it and doing the same when he reached the ball an inch ahead of the defending Sleaford back. By this time the Derby forwards had caught up with the play, and having collected the ball set up a great maul, before the ball passed down the line, Liam eventually collecting the 5 points and James O’Halloran adding the conversion for a final score of 24:5.  

Overall Derby made hard work of this game, but as Roxy pointed out afterwards there were some very positive points. The loose trio are at last beginning to hunt in a pack, and the tight forwards are getting far better organised in working together in loose play. Jamie Turner got deserving mention for his quick moving of the ball between the forwards and backs. As ever, Ross MacDonald had a good captain’s game marshalling the back line and putting in tackles that counted, whilst James O’Halloran had a great game at fullback, often turning defence into attack with sensible kicking and driving runs. Those whose names have not yet appeared in this report deserve mention also – Alex Hoolingsworth whose game at flyhalf is starting to mature nicely, and Sam Miller putting in his usual strong work tackling and working for the ball in the rucks and mauls. Chris Hardy also put in some useful work in the second row before his nagging shoulder injury sent him off the field again, shortly after Sanjay had to leave the field with a twisted ankle, bringing a slightly limping Neil back on who had gone off with the same just before halftime.  

Hope those injuries heal quickly lads – our next trip to Sleaford will be on 26^th March for NLD cup semi-finals and our date with Stamford who will offer us a stern test of how well we have learned the lessons today’s game gave us. I believe we have plenty of tough games before then, including Paviors who will be looking to avenge their December defeat!  

They went, they saw (and they were BIG!), but they conquered!  

This venture into Germany proved that in the face of adversity positive outcomes can be achieved. Originally planned as a team building exercise, at the invitation of a British Army Camp in Germany , but ultimately turned into a Mini Tour that saw the Under 15 Squad achieve two very memorable victories.  

Having been forced by the army’s security alert to create a totally new itinerary, find a new base, arrange new opposition, not to mention cover significant increased costs, the Tour was always going to be a challenge. All the effort, co-operation, raising of funds, re-organisation of logistics was truly more than worthwhile when viewed through the eyes of the squad as they came off the pitch on Sunday afternoon having secured their second victory, in two days, over formidable Germans opposition.  

Our arrival at the Station Hostel, Cologne on Friday night brought the first of many amusing episodes. The Hostel Management were expecting an English rugby team but seemingly the agents, who handled this last minute booking, failed to confirm the squad’s age range – the hostel had ordered in an extra 20 crates of beer!  

The opposition on Saturday comprised the best players from four clubs located in and around Cologne . Prior to kick-off the German team definitely had the psychological edge – they were BIG!  The number two, we were informed, had lost 4 stone in the past year and he still looked 16 stone – even Sanjay was dwarfed by the majority of the German team who were also, in the main, slightly older than our lads. This was definitely a game when skill and speed of ball movement would be paramount. Roxy waited to see if all the training lessons had been learnt. He did not have long to wait. The lads were up to the challenge!  

The direction of the match was set early on with an opportunist pick up and run by Dan Green who went over to open the scoring. Battle was engaged. Contact was inevitable but when it came no player shirked his responsibility. The adults who came to support certainly saw the whites of our players’ eyes but behind them a steely determination not to let the team down. It was definitely a game for team support as the lads put in their tackles and meet brawn with teamwork and superior organisational skills. Catches were taken under pressure, passes were sound and accurate, and the line was efficient and effective. ‘David’ overcame ‘Goliath’. Final score 50 - 10. The squad visibly grew in stature and belief.  

On the score sheet were Dan Green (hat trick – well done Dan), Adam, Callum, Josh, Mat Holton, and Mat Fearn.  

The Man of the Match Award truly reflected the spirit of the game and the determination of every single player to deliver on the day – justly and proudly accepted by Dan Corne.  

Sunday morning came with the rain having receded a little albeit still threatening. An early start was called for since we had a three hour journey ahead of us travelling from Cologne to Heidleberg. The lads, as well as a couple of the adults, took the opportunity to catch up on some sleep!  

The lads were scheduled to play a Provincial Representative Team. On arrival it was clearly visible that today’s opposition were a well drilled and organised until – and so they should be since we were informed, they were Provincial Champions. The club at which the match was played was one of the oldest clubs in Germany and was affiliated to Moseley Rugby Club, where they regularly spent training weeks.  

One important problem surfaced quickly – the referee had been told the game was at 4pm and everyone else had the game to start at 3pm. At the invitation of our hosts Roxy kindly agreed to referee the match. This was certainly going to be an interesting test of Roxy’s German Sign Language!  

This game was to prove a totally different challenge to Saturday’s match. The opposition were well organised and very strong. The steel and determination shown on Saturday afternoon was to be called on again in full measure and then some. Heidelberg took and early lead but failed to convert. The Derby support, all four of us, were supplemented for the day by two Canadians who we ‘picked up’ at our hostel the night before. Leslie (female) had played rugby while at High School, while Sean was ‘interested’ in rugby. It was great that both Leslie and Sean gave up their day touring Cologne to come with us to support the lads.  

After mustering every ounce of strength and team effort Derby equalised with Kieron getting the final touch ably assisted by Mickey James. Derby then took the lead through a Mat Holton penalty. From that moment on the game ebbed and flowed. Heidleberg scored again but again failed to convert. Could Derby respond again? The try of the match came after a series of moves involving some superb teamwork. The ball eventually found itself in the hands of Mickey James over on the far, very crowded, touchline. Taking the ball at speed, and in two hands (Roxy the coaching is getting through) Mickey’s penetrating run took him past the opposition and face to face with their full back. A neat side-step saw this accomplished opponent beaten and Mickey, and the team as a whole, got the reward their application deserved. This Derby try was to be followed by another scored by Mat Holton. Mat’s luck with the conversions was not there on the day. First, from a tight angle, Mat struck the upright to see the ball fall outwards when it could easily have fallen in and over the bar. The next attempt saw one of the very fast and tall Heidleberg players run from under the posts, make up the ground, and superbly charge down Mat’s kick.  

The final whistle saw Derby victorious by 18-12. This was a game to remember – a truly gigantic team effort on the day. Sam Miller was nominated Man of the Match by our two Canadian supporters.  

The lads could look back on their two days in Germany with PRIDE and SATISFACTION in all that they had achieved. The weekend was, you will recall, first scheduled as a team building weekend. Well after two completely different matches, challenging each in its own way, the TEAM did grow – and grow very visibly. WELL DONE LADS!  

Postscript:  As a reward for all their labours on the field of play, Roxy, post match, took the squad for a two hour ‘ cultural visit’ to Heidelberg Castle prior to our return to Cologne . And since the lads really enjoyed that experience so much, on the Monday morning, prior to our departure for the airport, Roxy led the lads on a visit to Cologne Cathedral, which was but a short walk away from our hostel.  

Having been brought up as a child in St Helens, and therefore in Gods own county of Lancashire, beating those born "on the wrong side of the hill" is especially sweet. (Admittedly boundary changes shifted St Helens to Merseyside, hence my affection for shell suits and a need to say "deydodon'tdeydodeydo!) So on a lovely sunny morning, what could be more pleasant than a drive into the Yorkshire countryside to watch your team win a tough rugby match, just ask Sanjays dad! (well ask him about the drive bit anyhow)

So picture the scene when we arrive, overheard a conversation along the lines of . . . "Well I made a reservation, I got it written here in my diary, pitch with a view, for 15! Were gonna have what ever you give us for starters, followed by a main course of that old favourite dish, Derby Dominance, and if things get tasty we have to accept any afters dished out when the refs not watchin!" Nope this wasn't someone discussing a restaurant booking, you guessed it, our pitch was double booked!!! This meant a fairly brisk warm up and straight into proceedings so the other match could follow on.

It would be fair to say that the Sheffield pack. . .erm, peaked early, they dominated the first minutes encounters, winning line out and ruck ball to put a speedy back in under the posts, converted to take a 7-0 lead, but that was it from them except for little cameo shoves! I felt slightly sorry (ok I'm lying) for the classy Sheffield fly half, who had an awesome kicking game, and should have been backed up better by his pack, numerous times handing back territorial advantage he had booted them into! Sheffield did scramble well, with several "last passes" going to ground by the Derby lads when under pressure. Such that as half time was reached it was still 7-0 to the white rose, but Derby, you did feel had shown more than enough to run out winners with a little more composure shown. From a defensive angle, the usual big hits were made by the forwards,(couple o beauts off Mickey) but Liam in the backs really took the eye! (not to mention the leg, shoulder, midriff) He showed great maturity for the second week running, didn't get "sucked in" stayed on his man, who must have felt justifiably hacked off that he never got past Liam once!

As the half-time lemons were sucked, news came in that Sanjay (yet to appear) was last sighted off the east coast heading for Norway, muttering to his dad that he was sure you turned left at Hull for Sheffield! Roxy turned Sanjays grand tour into a positive by playing Sam (or "first there Samuel, like we discussed!" as his dad calls him) at prop, and an excellent job he did. A second positive I think the whole pack can take, is that they dominated the breakdown area without the talisman. Ball security, body positioning, pure class! Perhaps they have to ask themselves, do they sometimes let Sanj do too much, relying on his awesome strength!

Several personnel and positional changes evident as the second half kicked off. Sanjay finally turning up as the half got going, his dad bemoaning the fact that he would never buy a satellite GPS system off the Kleeneze man ever again, a waste of £4.99 (including batteries). Personally I think six counties, four national trust houses, Stone Henge and Meadowhall all in one morning is top value! Our dominance really started to show as Sanj, Dan n Callum turned the ball over with Callum linking seamlessly to move the ball out to Matt H and Josh to make the score 7-5. I am ashamed to say I am not sure who got the ball down, excitement getting the better of me in the remembering to write it down stakes! Steady Eddie 7-7 to us!!! Sadly we now seem to have this knack of not tidying up kick off ball, which I am sure will be eradicated, but puts us under needless pressure. This happened again today, we lost concentration at the restart, gave away a penalty (who mentioned one way traffic) and that classy fly half slotted over a superb field goal from the resultant possession, 10-7, against the run of play! This time we gave away a penalty (blinkers, who mentioned blinkers) from the restart for an alleged high tackle. If our lads felt this was a tad harsh, then they responded in the most positive way! Matt H, did what he does best, appears from nowhere in the line, ghosts through the defence to score! This time however it was the Sheffield line he appeared in. . . what an interception, juggling skills, the lot!! 10-12, improved to 10-14.Matt H individual skill also turned the resilience button on for the rest of the team, this time from the kick off, Josh concentrated superbly, kept on his feet despite heavy Sheffield pressure, fed the ball to Ross who went a full seventy yards hugging the touchline, with three clinical "seeyalaters!" (handoffs to the uninitiated) to go within a yard of scoring. Thinking about it, we could have our own circus, Matt H could juggle, Ross would be a class tight rope walker. . .'n' where do you start, we could pick from 50 for a clown!!! Sheffield did again scramble well, clearing a kick to the 22, which we returned with interest, Dan getting held up over the line. Sheffield cleared again, before Jamie, and Ally sent Chris in to complete the final score 10-19!  

So, a good day out, Liam was technically superb, deservedly got MOM. Special mention needs to go to James (include Callum here) who quietly goes about wrestling possession, and feeding the little passes out to start moves. It doesn't look as impressive as the backs work, but without it, the backs wouldn't be released!! So, if the champagne moment goes to Ross' awesome touchline run, then he should uncork the bubbly and say a big cheers to James from all his team!

It doesn't seem five minutes since I was enjoying summer,

In the week England finally wrestled the cricket ashes back from the aussies, our season started against Newark. So would we "stump em with our skills" would the lads impress female spectators and "bowl a maiden over" (yeh cheesy I know, soz)Would they do all"white" or would they "slip"up! Our lads dominance was evident from the off, you didn't need "20-20" vision to see the Newark lads were going to be "hit for six!"   To be honest, I think Newark would have preferred to have been playing us at cricket, at least they could have then prayed for rain to shorten their agony!! (looking at the Newark coaches grimacing face, agony it was, they seemed to have the "ump" and show some "ire!").  

It could have all been so different however, had Robin Hood and his band of 5000 merry lycra clad marathon men suceeded in completely blocking every road through Nottingham. Somehow despite the city blocking race, our lads got through the congested roads to make it to Newark! After a quick warm up and comparison of who had the best tan from holiday, the lads got stuck in from the off!! Rather than the usual blow by blow report it is probably better to be a bit humble in this report, because I reckon the big difference in this match was the pre-season. I am positive that if we come up against Newark again this season, they will give a better account. I just feel that we were weeks ahead of them, in view of Roxy and his support coaches super planning of the lads off season.

A resume of the first half would be that the forwards played superbly, rucked well, hunted in numbers, turned ball over almost at will. The backs also superb, got the ball out wide, quickly to the men with pace. When this got predictable, they mixed things up, and scores came down the middle! The half time score of 27-0 did not flatter us, indeed it could have much higher.

The second half showed that we still have much to work on, as a Newark pack stunned into action dominated around the ruck for long periods, a little complacency being in evidence from our boys. Our passing from the base of the ruck seemed also to go off in the second half, but a few choice "boys, what you doing!" from head coach prowling the touch seemed to re-awaken the concentration in tackling and passing, such that a further 22 unanswered points were run in!

Although all the lads contributed fantastically, I think mention should go to Alisdair (obviously) for his near faultless game in the backs. Evidently very nervous before the game, he got stuck in and linked well with Jamie and Ross, carving big holes for runners to exploit. Well done on the MOM. I personally thought Liam was brilliant, and has matured as both an attacking and defensive player amazingly from this display, keep it up mate.Also on the development front, what can you say about the flick pass off the deck from the speedster Adam (4 trys to boot). Last season this pass would have been out of the question, class mate, pure class! (a bit of work on changing angles next on the list of skills to master). Talking of changing angles, never mind "tricky" Eddie, we should call him "trigonometry" Eddie. Rox gave Adams pass as his champagne moment, I would have to disagree and give it to Eddie for his second try. There were so many changes of running angle (not to mention p ace changes) in this try all done with sublime ease. It was reminiscent of the old aussie league full back ET Ettinghausen (just indulge me here, it was honest).

On the "need to improve" side, concentration, ruthless concentration, and more concentration. Rucking went off cos we lost concentration, passing went off cos we lost concentration, knock ons happened cos we lost concentration. Do this against Paviors for example, lose concentration = lose!!

Closing on the cricket theme and on a positive, we did nearly knock up a "half century" well done lads, no one "ducked" out, big contributions all round, keep pushing the "boundary" back!! Get ya passports ready, we head to Yarkshire next!