What a superb day for a festival! The sun does shines on the righteous they say, and it certainly did this year. Well over 650 children plus many family and friends came from far and wide to attend the Derby Mini's festival at Haslams Lane. This year we managed to accommodate one or two new comers to this event, with sides from York and Hull in attendance. It's always difficult to fit everyone in and this year was no exception, we can only thank everyone who attended, and those that missed out too this year, for their continued support.

The quality of rugby played, and the spirit in which it is performed was a credit to all concerned. We received some very nice comments from many of our visiting sides, and we must not forget a special thanks to everyone who helped put this excellent event together again this year. My personal thanks go to Glenn Martin, Darren Smith and all their team on the sub-committee, also a special note of thanks to the volunteers who prepared the lunches for the children. Thanks also to all the under 14's players and coaches, plus a few extras too, for the sterling work on the day organising the parking, registrations and scoring.

Awaiting Report

SO NEAR…AND YET…

The under 9s Gullivers squad built on the good work of Nottingham to come within a hairs breadth of winning the festival, eventually losing a titanic final against a powerful and well organised York side by a single score.

On a baking hot day, this was yet another excellent squad effort – the squad including all the parents who helped keep the players cool and well –watered and Kristy Tomlinson and Harriet Kent who were the half time drink providers once again.

All the boys played their part with the squad comprising David Eades (captain), Alistair Wolff, Tom Kent, Jordan Lees, Joseph Booth, Max Cook, George Castledine, George Tresidder, Alex Tomlinson, Reece Harrison, Luke McNeilly, Barnaby Parkes, Thomas Doyle and Jasper Hardcastle.

The Group stages

The group stages saw us in a pool with Burton, Hull Ionians and Sutton Coldfield and after a shaky start the boys went on to dominate the group.

Burton 05 - 10 Derby

The opening match pitted the team against old rivals Burton who we had recently played at the Lichfield festival. Burton took the lead halfway through the first half following an excellent run by their flyhalf but this was the last try Derby would concede until the final.

Just before half time Derby equalised through a pick-up and break by George Tresidder. They went on to play the second half camped in the Burton half of the pitch but were unable to cross the line until the very end when, following some determined driving by Barnaby Parkes and Reece Harrison, Alex Tomlinson forced his way over for the winning score.

Derby 20 – 00 Hull Ionians

Against a powerful Hull side, Derby finally got their attacking game going and ran in four tries without reply. The early encounters were in the forwards with Barnaby Parkes and Luke McNeilly to the fore. The first try came when George Tresidder gently extracted the ball from a Hull player’s grasp before sprinting clear. The second try followed shortly after when a good break and quick passing between Alistair Wolff and George Castledine saw Jordan Lees put in the clear to score in the corner.

Wholesale changes were made at half time but such is the confidence in the squad that this did not upset their rhythm. Despite all Hull’s efforts, they were not able to penetrate a determined Derby defence with Max Cook and Joseph Booth making important tackles and whenever Derby had the ball in hand they made ground. The forwards revelled in taking the game to their opponents and Reece Harrison was held up over the line.

The third try followed a perfectly executed pre-planned move with David Eades working the call with George Tresidder who sprinted away from the cover defence before they could work out what had happened. The move was greeted with gasps of amazement – not least from the coaches who had never seen it work so well in training! Tom Kent completed the scoring when he scythed through the Hull side to touch down.

Derby 25 – 00 Sutton Coldfield

In the final pool game we came up against a determined and hard working Sutton Coldfield team but once again the crowd were treated to an exhibition of intense defence and clinical finishing.

Tom Kent was the first to score when he pounced on a loose ball and burst over in the corner. Within a minute David Eades had doubled the lead when following rapid recycling of the ball he out sprinted the defence to score.

Sutton Coldfield came back hard and it took some resolute defence to keep them at bay. Alistair Wolff was prominent organising the defence and making a number of crucial tackles. In fact Derby’s third try came when they turned defence into attack. George Castledine put in yet another thumping tackle which knocked the ball out of the Sutton Coldfield player’s hands. He then reacted quickly to gather the loose ball and score.

The rest of the game was spent in the Sutton Coldfield half with Thomas Doyle and Jasper Hardcastle prominent as Derby tightened the screw. From a scrum David Eades made an electric blindside break to score his second and his teams fourth try. Tom Kent completed the scoring when following another Castledine crunching tackle he gratefully collected the kindly bouncing ball to amble over.

The Semi Final:  Derby 15 – 00 Melbourne

The semi-finals saw a clash with powerful local rivals Melbourne and once again victory was based on an immense defensive effort and a huge performance by the forwards lead by Luke McNeilly.

The game ebbed and flowed with both sides looking for the space but Derby’s aggressive approach to defence kept Melbourne well back from their line. The first try came following an attempted break out by Melbourne. When Jordan Lees tackled his opposite winger, George Tresidder was on hand to snaffle the loose ball and score.

Melbourne came back hard and spent a considerable time close to the Derby line but resilient defence kept them at bay including prop Alex Tomlinson getting away from a scrum to tackle the outside centre. When Derby had the ball, replacement scrum half Joseph Booth kept his team moving forward.

Early in the second half George Tresidder scored his second try but the game wasn’t safe until Reece Harrison stormed over for the decisive third score to set up a final with York.

The Final: Derby 05 - 10 York

This match was worthy of the final as two teams gave their all and refused to yield an inch.

Derby took the lead right from the kick-off when George Tresidder stripped the ball from the York fly half and cruised away to score in the corner. But York showed themselves to be an extremely well organised and determined side and put Derby under enormous pressure but once again the Derby defence held firm until the stroke of half time when Persistent forward pressure resulted in a try.

The second half continued with York pushing forward and they forced over for a second and ultimately decisive score.

To their credit the Derby boys refused to give up and laid siege to the York line and were unlucky not to score with both Alex Tomlinson and Alistair Wolff held up over the try line. Calls for a five-metre scrum when a York played grounded the ball over the try line were rejected and York held out to win. Our congratulations to them.

Summary

Overall an excellent day and tremendous credit to all the players. To play five games of such intensity on such a hot day showed tremendous spirit. The hard work at training paid off and the tally of 15 tries for and only 3 against showed how hard they worked in defence and how clinical the finishing has become. In fact after the initial set back against Burton, they ran in 15 tries without reply before York scored in the final.

It was also extremely pleasing to see so many players getting on the score sheet, reflecting the running skills that abound in the backs and the determined driving and work rate in the forwards.

Next stop Twickenham and a rematch with West Norfolk at Gulliver’s!

DERBY FESTIVAL REPORT UNDER 9s DEVELOPMENT SQUAD

The development squad, including quite a number of boys who were playing at their first festival were placed in a very strong pool including Melbourne and York. The pool should have included a second Burton team but unfortunately they were unable to make it.

The results were

Derby Development Squad 00 - 25 Melbourne

Derby Development Squad 00 - 25 York

Derby Development squad w/o Burton B

To lose by five tries against two such experienced strong teams in no disgrace. Both opponents had been playing as the same team all season and the victories were largely due to superior organisation and greater confidence – something the Derby boys can work on. The individual skills are there to be developed and team skills come form playing more matches.

The forwards drove hard led by Sam Auslebrook and James Brentnall and it took three Melbourne defenders to haul Grant Dolan down on more than one occasion, while George Groom and Harvey Baines tackled like demons. Joseph Wright looked to move the ball and Jimmy Coulton showed his undoubted pace.

The squad can be proud of their work rate and commitment (and for the way they supported the other Derby side in the semi-final and final – this was much appreciated). The aim now must be to develop as a unit and to improve overall support play.

The Development Squad players were: Sam Aulsebrook, James Brentnall, Grant Dolan, Drew Meyers, George Marson, Joseph Wright, George Groom, Harvey Baines, Jimmy Coulton, Joseph, Aiden Bonser, Nicholas Rankin, Ben, Miles Costello, Sam Reed.

A big thank you to all the parents and supporters – the boys really appreciated your encouragement

Derby’s own annual minis and juniors festival saw two sides being entered for the under 10 section. The Stags squad shaped up to some tough opposition in Burton A, York and Melbourne in pool A whilst the Tigers squad were up against some familiar opposition in the shape of Burton, Hull and Sutton Coldfield in pool B.

Stags squad: Elliot Allsop, George Campbell, Mitch Hunt, Alex Miskow, Ben Edmundson, Sam Dale, Sam Furner, Luke Bates, Jake Mallinson, Matt Haynes, Bradley Hopkins, Jarred Parkinson, Dominic Miller, Ben Pallet, Scott Haywood, Tom Dring, Will Shevlin, & Hayden Parker

Pool A Qualifying group matches:

Derby Stags 00 - 35 Burton B

Derby Stags 00 - 25 York

A big squad of 19 players was ready and waiting for some tough competition against some good strong sides. The first match against Burton B provided to be something of a stiff test for the Stags side who despite some good running and support play were unable to match Burton in the passing game. Burton eventually ran in seven tries which, on the face of it, may seem as though the Stags played badly but anyone who saw the match will have not failed to notice that the squad actually played well.

The second match against York was more evenly matched with the Stags doing some spirited defensive work, bogged down on their own half close to the line. Again the score line doesn’t really reflect the amount of pressure the Stags soaked up and the spirited fight they made of it. The last match of the pool games saw the Stags up against an extremely strong Melbourne side who were equipped with some strong skilful players. The Stags side did well to hold back Melbourne for most of the game, playing well in midfield with some excellent support play and doggedly fighting ruck and maul situations. Some excellent passing play led to a breakaway early in the second half to see Ben Edmondson sprint for a great try up the touchline.

Pool B Qualifying group matches:

Tigers squad: Ewan Palmer, Lewis Madeley, Josh Watts, Alex Early, Josh Miller; Sam Martin,  Jake Roome, Ben Wilkinson, Luke Frixou; Bobby Carr, James Baker & Harry Rudkin

Pool Matches

Derby Tigers 35 - 00 Burton A:

Try scorers: Josh Miller (2); Jake Roome; Luke Frixou & Ben Wilkinson

Derby Tigers 30 - 00 Hull Ionians

Try scorers: Josh Miller; Josh Watts; Luke Frixou; Bobby Carr & Ben Wilkinson

Derby Tigers 10 - 00 Sutton Coldfield

Try scorers: Josh Miller & Luke Frixou

Semi-Final Match

Derby Tigers 05 - 00 York

Try scorer: Josh Miller

Final Match

Derby Tigers 20 - 00 Sutton Coldfield

Try scorers: Josh Miller; Luke Frixou (2) & Jake Roome

Fresh from their success at Gulliver’s qualifying tournament at Nottingham, the Tigers squad were matched up against some familiar competition in their pool matches. The first two matches saw fairly convincing wins against Burton (with tries from Josh Miller (2) Jake Roome, Luke Frixou and Ben Wilkinson) and Hull (with tries from Josh Miller, Josh Watts, Luke Frixou, Bobby Carr & Ben Wilkinson). The third match against Sutton Coldfeld saw some strong opposition being put up but the tigers eventually ran out winners with tries from Josh Miller & Luke Frixou to seal first place in the pool group.

The semi-final match against York was also something of a close run thing with a single try by Josh Miller separating the teams. The heat was getting to most teams by now and certainly some of the energy of the Tigers squad was beginning to get sapped. Despite this, the Tigers showed some good dedication to the cause in sticking to what had to be done.

The under 10s final saw the Tigers matched up against Sutton Coldfield who they had narrowly beaten in the pool matches. Despite the tenseness of getting to the final, Tigers seemed to find their stride quickly though quick tries from Josh Miller and Luke Frixou. Two further tries in the second half from Jake Roome and a second from Luke Frixou saw Tiger’s finish off an extremely convincing win and crowning an incredibly successful festival.

On what was an extremely hot and energy sapping day to be playing so many games of rugby, Tigers showed some great spirit in stepping up a gear when they needed to. I was unable to see most of the early games but in the snatches of games that I did happen to catch, Tigers were fluent in all aspects of the game, showing some excellent play - roll on Twickenham!

Awaiting Report