Late changes to the
side, saw debutant Dan Fitchett, Paul Burrows and Gareth Williams running out at
Ilkeston, for the first time in a league match, as Derby UKD looked to build on
the victory over Hinckley.
Derby UKD were the first
to show, with a Brett Beckham penalty nudging them ahead after 5 minutes.
Derby UKD went on to
dominate the half. They had the majority of the possession and most of the
territory, but were unable to capitalise, against a team Matlock had put 48
points on last week.
Injury time finally saw
Derby UKD breach the Ilkeston try line.
The forwards drove
Ilkeston back 25 metres and over the line. Brett Beckham applied the last
touch, before converting his own try.
From the restart, Kirk
Ashan made ground, before Nick Southern received the ball in his own half.
Looking up, he broke a tackle and ran fully 60 metres through the Ilkeston cover
before touching down for a marvellous individual effort.
Half time arrived, with
Derby UKD ahead 15 – 0. Despite not making the most of their possession, Derby
UKD looked comfortable.
Ilkeston, however, had
other ideas !
Playing downhill was
clearly to their liking as they dominated the game.
10 minutes into the half
prop, Houston, scored and 8 minutes later winger Drew did likewise.
Incredibly, with 17
minutes left, Ilkeston drew level, when the impressive Faulkner also scored.
Thank goodness Ilkeston missed all 3 conversions !
Derby UKD rolled their
sleeves up, entered the Ilkeston 22 for the first time in the half and scored.
The forwards, who dominated throughout, forced the Ilkeston scrum back, before
number 8, Nick Southern, picked the ball up and burst through the Ilkeston cover
defence.
Brett Beckham converted
and added a long range penalty, to complete the scoring.
A late yellow card for
Paul Burrows, did not prevent Derby UKD from completing a 25 – 15 victory.
Ilkeston were committed,
with veteran Rudkin pulling the strings from fly half, but Derby UKD need to put
teams like this away if they are to retain serious ambitions of promotion.
Paviors, at home next
week, provide the next examination.
Come on Derby UKD !
Match Report by Richard
Bambra
