Mansfield kicked off the league season at Haslams on Saturday, on a beautiful day – if you couldn’t play rugby today, it was time to give up !

A late tackle enabled Brett Beckham to open the scoring, after only 2 minutes, with a penalty. 8 minutes later, a Gareth Williams break led to a Simon Rolfs try.

Mansfield hit back, when skipper, Lee Kirk, was driven over for a try, after 17 minutes. This proved to be the closest Mansfield got, as Derby UKD gradually pulled clear.

Brett Beckham was the next to cross, again after good work from Gareth Williams.

With 7 minutes remaining in the half, Alex Preece fielded a clearance kick in his own half.  He released Tim Lawson, who showed his pace to race clear and score a try that Nick Coley converted.

From the kick off, Derby UKD recycled the ball. Brett Beckham and Nick Coley provided the opportunity for Tim Lawson to double his tally. Nick Coley again converted. This proved to be the final score of the half, leaving Derby UKD ahead 27 – 5.

The second half was only 2 minutes old when Nick Coley kicked a penalty, to increase the lead. Excellent play by Tim Lawson and replacement, Craig Hughes, then allowed Simon Rolfs to score his second try of the afternoon.

Despite a lot of territory and possession, Derby UKD were unable to break down stubborn Mansfield defence until the final 10 minutes. At this point, Nick Coley forced his way over and converted his own try, giving him a match total of 14 points.

Dan Waterhouse, the Mansfield replacement, was yellow carded at this point.

4 minutes later, Craig Hughes received a pass in his own half.  He sprinted clear of the Mansfield defence to touch down in the corner.

What a fantastic performance, Mansfield were unable to live with the pace with which Derby UKD played the game.

It is particularly pleasing to note two new players who have come through the Derby UKD youth set up, having excellent games – scrum half Rob Lucas and hooker Pete Wilcox.

The final score of 47 – 5 to Derby UKD was a fair reflection of the game, in fact Derby UKD probably should have won by a wider margin, given the possession they enjoyed, particularly in the second half.

After 1 game it is impossible to judge how the season will develop, but Derby UKD could not have done much more – how many times have Mansfield gone home, beaten by over 40 points ?

Come on Derby UKD !

Match Report by Richard Bambra