Derby travelled to Kettering, looking to extend their winning run.  Interestingly, only 2 players started the game, who also started on the last visit to Waverley Road; Jim Witcombe and Richard Sparkes.  A big turn around of players, considering the last visit was only on 23rd April 2005 !

Kettering started the better and took the lead, after 8 minutes, when Jones kicked a penalty.

It took Derby until 5 minutes before half time to draw level, a Brett Beckham penalty doing the trick.

A yellow card to John Heggie, proved to be the last meaningful action of the half, as the teams turned around level.

Derby UKD had more than held their own in the first half; could they complete the job?

It had been a dour half, with neither side looking like scoring a try.

12 minutes into the second half, a Brett Beckham penalty gave Derby UKD a lead they were never to lose.

Derby UKD were gradually taking control and it was Brett Beckham who scored the first try of the afternoon, running outside the Kettering defence to touch down for a try, which he converted.

The Derby UKD pack were dominant at this stage.  After another driving maul, Tim Lawson was held up near the line, but his pass allowed Craig Hughes to score. Brett Beckham converted and Derby UKD were clear, 20 – 3, with only 11 minutes left.

Kettering looked a beaten team at this stage and Derby UKD did not let them off the hook.

Firstly, Brett Beckham scored his second try of the afternoon.

The icing was on the cake, when a Craig Hughes flick pass found Filini Mafi on the half way line.  Nobody was going to catch him as he sprinted clear to touch down.

Brett Beckham converted the final 2 tries, giving him a personal match tally of 24 points.

The final whistle blew and Derby UKD had a famous victory, by a margin undreamt of by the supporters before the game, all of whom predicted a tight game!

This was by far the best performance of the season by Derby UKD. The forwards were excellent, while the backs used the ball they were given to great effect.

Newark are next, at Haslams on Saturday. Come on Derby UKD ! 

Match Report by Richard Bambra