The devils took to the road again to play their nearest rivals for top spot in the pennant league, Sleaford. Despite the caravan of the Ianson family jackknifing on the Mansfield by-pass and creating a two vehicle tailback the journey only took an hour and fifteen minutes. Having arrived in plenty of time the devils took the time to prepare for battle and went through the smoothest warm up off the season. The hunger for victory was in evidence in all members of the squad and this was to be proven with devils now trade marked fifth or sixth opening minute score of the season. The kickoff was taken and a maul formed, the formation of players moved swiftly up the pitch. From the resulting scrum a Sleaford kick was charged down and scrum half ‘you can call him Al Poyser’ touched down. 

The hosts replied with a kick through that bounced around and came to settle in the path of their winger; with a fly hack on he managed to collect the ball and flop over the line to score.  

With having had the best of the half Derby took the advantage with a Wigley penalty from in front of the posts. But then disaster struck, two yellow cards in the space of a minute just before the halftime whistle was to mean 15 versus 13.

Halftime and only 8-7 up with two men in the bin, the second half looked like it was going to be an uphill battle. However the six man pack proved beyond question that Lincolnshire has no hills is in fact very flat.  

The first ten minutes saw the mighty dev’s settle in their opponents half like a Romanian migrant looking for farming job. Eventually the sundial moved round so our two missing players returned to the ranks, this return to full capacity proved to be the catalyst for the second try, all the pressure finally paying off with an overlap being created for wing Alex Clarke to score to the right of the posts. 

The travellers then slowed the game down and defended, when necessary, in a firm controlled manner. A quickly taken lineout was to provide the final score in the corner for Poyser’s second try of the day. 

Delight for the devils, 3 points in the bag and their last away league fixture of the season was completed. 

Today’s garage review is from Mr. Joe Mills of Oakwood, Derby, he reported ‘Today we called in on the Total Service Station on the A17 and A46 roundabout near Newark. To be found was an Aladdin’s cave with a wide range of goods from wines, beers and spirits to your more traditional sandwich’s and confectionery. To the rear this station had its very own seating area to enjoy your meal of choice, this was adjacent to the delicatessen section where you could pick your favourite hot snack. An impressive array of outdoor goods were on show to cover every thinkable travelling, camping and walking need.

Overall I think the name says everything and this is a total station, I would rate this station on my pastry scale as a cream horn and possibly declare it as the best I have ever visited in the United Kingdom’.

Andy Ireland player/manager of the Derby Development XV side was smiling again yesterday. After a week of friendly jousting between the Kesteven and Derby website Online  Forums the Derby Devs went to Kesteven and again maintained their place at the top of the Group 3 NLD Pennant League.

It's another great way to see the true calibre of the Derby club as a whole as all the Senior sides are enjoying success. The 1st XV are 2nd place in their league, the 2nd XV are playing in the Midland Merit National divisions as are the Colts, whilst the Devs and the 4th XV are both top of their leagues. The Vets only being denied a top spot by their 4th XV counterparts. It’s a great measure of the move to the new ground and clubhouse that Derby are producing some good results at all Senior levels.

Much was said this week by the Devs opposition and so it was with an air of determination that Derby traversed Nottinghamshire to get to Kesteven.

Some great striking by Jim, the munch, saw several balls won against the head and although this wasn’t the prettiest or most exciting of games Derby proved that, although in the same league as Kesteven, it must be time for them to move up.

The Devs produced one of the greatest performances by an English side in club rugby during this NLD pennant group 3 league game.

After this performance it would take a brave pundit to bet against the Devs to sweep all before them in the final few games of this exciting league.

Andy Ireland, player/manager, stepping in at ten scored two brilliant tries with Wigley being allowed onto the park for the conversions but never mind.

Matt cornfield scored the first try for the Devs with Derby needing  a victory to send them six points clear at the top of the table.

This was a well fought game by both teams played on a pitch specially prepared in the week to give a levelling type of effect on both teams, which appeared to work wonderfully well.

An injury to chopper Paylor and later Gadsby saw the blooding of two fine and budding Under 21 internationals Scott and Ewan. Both showing some superb strength and pace on several runs. Finely timed runs into the line by Fearn should be putting the jitters up Jason Robinson two weeks before the start of the six nations. Salty old dog at 8  McCartin may be looking for an inclusion but must be aware of the young talent coming through.

Mellish  threw everything at Derby in a desperate last ten minutes but the Devs would not be denied their day of rugby heaven. Player/manager Andy Ireland later said, in an interview, ‘that was a very important game for us. We hadn’t been looking at this league in terms a trophy but now I would love to see the players win it’. Such has been Irelands success that it is rumoured he is getting late night calls from certain coaches asking how he does it and can he bottle it.

Derby once again travelled to West Bridgford as they had done the month previously. However, this time the Devils were much stronger, with the addition of some much needed backs. The warm up was short and sharp (relatively) and the Devs began the match in a very strong fashion, with an opening try courtesy of some great forward’s mauling, and was finalised by Jim Smith diving gracefully beneath the posts.

The match resumed and the Devs maintained their structure, demonstrating some great interplay between forwards and backs alike.

The line out looked very slick, with Derby winning their own, and stealing a large proportion of West Bridgford’s possession, with great jumping from both Leicester and Ackford respectively. The Dev scrum was also the stronger, shunting West Bridgford backward many times, prior to the ball put-in, due solely to the weight of the pack alone. Mid way through the first half, Matt Erwin suffered a blood injury and was forced off the pitch, but was duly replaced by Dan Impey, and although Matt returned to help control West Bridgford’s forwards, during the blood replacement, Impey provided a strong presence.

More of the game ensued, and after a line out within West Bridgford’s 22m area, a rolling maul furnished the second try, provided by Stu Cormack.

Although strongly in the lead, West Bridgford struck back, and managed to reclaim a try.

Once again, Derby returned to the match and the forwards made good impact under the guidance of scrum half, Alex Poyser, who had a stormer throughout.

As aforementioned, the Devil backs were strengthened since the last visit to West Bridgford, with the Infearno leading the charge at 10, and both of the Mad-dogs in the centres, providing for some scintillating breaks and backs play. Although he was playing with the delights of P Mad-dog, R Mad-dog was still a little grumpy throughout the match – maybe next week he’ll be able to get an early night before turning up on Saturday.

The wings were looking strong with Muirhead making some nice breaks, and Gads playing well with his usual style (watch this space). The second half saw the wings refreshed by Thrass and Milton, and continued to attack and defend well, under the rear guidance of Chopper Paylor at 15.

Enough of the praise for the backs, because in reality, they saw no scores, as back in the match, it was another try from a forward, Mark Poutney that increased the lead (after some impact play from the backs, that saw him over the line, but another forward try nonetheless).

Although West Bridgford fought back, they could not contain the power of the Derby Devs, which was sealed by The Buss, breaking from the back of a maul, to bosh two of their players out of his path to allow the ball once more to reside under West Bridgford’s posts.

In summary, another fantastic win for the Devs, some great rugby played and a bonus point for 4 tries – Good work. 

Deeeeviiilllls Screeeeaaaammmmm!!!!!!!!

The sixteen chosen men of Derby left the sunshine of and tranquility of Haslams and the Shire behind them to travel east to play another development side in the shape of Spalding. Upon on the long journey east towards Mordor the skies became increasingly darker and darker until eventually some 2 hours later we had arrived at our destination.

With barely time to change and no time for a warm up the referee was keen to start exactly on time would the lack of preparation be a telling factor? 

As the hosts kicked off and failed to make the 10 meters, Infearno playing at 10 nudged a beautiful kick into the corner from the resulting scrum the vital question was about to be answered. The Spalding codes were broken the lineout stolen and the Derby pack made base camp in the 22 and laid siege to the goal line. After a 10 minute assault and one clear try being disallowed, the ball went through three pairs of hands and Will Goring playing on the wing crashed over in the corner following great work from player/manager Irish to keep the ball alive in contact. 

More of the same was to follow as again the Derby pack turned over opposition ball and a quick over head pass saw flanker Ben Pearce race 22 meters and side step his way into the corner for a 10-0 lead. 

The now rampant Derby side pushed the home side back to their own five meter line and forced through good rucking a Spalding scrum. Before the scrum could be won and kicked out to end the half, the pack drove and twisted the scrum backwards towards the goal line the pill was left where the scrum had been, Captain Derek Zoolander reacted three weeks before anybody else to pounce on the unattended ball an make the score 15-0 at the break. 

The second half was started in the worst possible way, a missed placed kick was fielded by the home developments sides very promising back three and some good strong direct lines of running saw them drive forward. This resulted in a rare error, a dropped ball by Derby to give a score to the hosts and reduce their arrears to ten points.  

The game was on again, the half time team talk was readdressed calling for more passion as in the first half. This talk was to be a catalyst and brought the best spells from both Derby backs and forwards. The backs showing some real flair with great hands and superb lines of running and the forwards mauling the ball forward in a tight controlled manner. However, no further score was to come until mid way through the half when a maul was halted 10 meters from the Spalding line, Hooker Jim Smith broke blind and went over the line to make the score four tries to one. 

With the end looming Derby had to defend well to stop the lively backs coming through.

On occasions the home side found gaps only to be thwarted by Chopper Paylor at full back with some great last ditch tackling. Before the final whistle was to be blown the sixteen men rounded off their day in style. A big drive forward by prop for the day Mick Mead saw the ball recycled and moved left and right, when the move had seemed to have fizzled out a pass from scrum half Graham Finlay found hooker Smith who sent a looping miss pass out to a forward disguised as a winger Goring who outstripped his defenders and grounded the ball in the corner for his second score of the day.  

With nether side adding any extra nudges the final score read 25-5. A well deserved away victory and bonus point had ensued for Derby leaving them to enjoy the long journey back through middle earth back to the shire as holders of top berth in the pennant league.

It was a beautiful fresh autumn day down at Haslams lane and the Devils were eager to build on their excellent recent form. The day started with an excellent warm up session provided by John Cartlidge, with 30 minutes remaining before kick off the Devils returned to the dressing room for last minute preparations before the onslaught. Then the referee (FRED ELLIOT) turned up to give the Devils a chapter of War and Peace. Once the ref had left the room a few SQUEEZES were in order to motivate the troops. 

The Devils started with a strong opening putting Retford under pressure from the off scoring 2 trys in short succession with some blistering pace shown by Thrassivoulou and Tizard, well done guys. 

With the relentless bombardment off the forwards, Redford’s heads were soon starting to drop, every ruck and maul the devils were destroying the opposition with pure aggression and immense firepower. The devils built on their lead and scored 4 more trys before half time. 

During the break, Ireland and the captain Zoolander gave the devils some words of wisdom on how to get the most out of a game that looks as if it is a walk over the devils returned to the battle, with the score at 0-0. 

From the off the Devils commenced with their barrage playing some excellent Rugby doing the basics well, we saw some excellent solo try’s by Toby, Poyser, and Ackers are a few to mention. 

In all fairness despite the score Retford never gave up despite their hammering and managed to score a couple of consolation trys in the second half. 

To summarize the complete Devil squad put in 100%  effort which made the day look easy, and keeping up the pressure for 80 minutes and staying professional. Man of the match for the second week running goes to Toby Dean for an inspirational performance at fly half. 

Once again the Derby Development XV (the Devils) strode out onto the pitch looking for the much needed win. For many weeks the Devils have been the better team in various matches, but through a string of unfortunate circumstances the win has eluded the team. However, with Halloween fast approaching, the supernatural powers of the Devils were seen to increase.

I strong opening against the wind, found the Devils putting Mellish under vast amounts of pressure, and after some notable forwards play, saw crafty scrum half Alex Poyser crossing the line to begin the onslaught.

With all credit to Mellish, they fought back throughout the match, but they did not stand up to the pounding from the forwards and backs alike apart from, against the odds, managing to sneak a try. This occurance did not last long, as the Devils soon found themselves back in the Mellish half, and from a back row move off a scrum, Mick Mead leapt over the tryline like a man possessed to score the second derby try.

The game continued with the same vigour, and Mellish fought on, but the strength of the Devils was too much for them. Although Buss made great impact in the centre’s Tris Poyser and he swapped positions. Buss strengthened the backrow, but Tris made an instant impact in the backs with a line-breaking run. The ball was skilfully moved through the hands of Gadsby, and onto Chopper Paylor, who finished the movement with ease and style. The culmination: a great Derby try.

The outcome was a great Devils win, and well deserved. Highlights of the match? All three tries were well worked and well deserved. Great effort from all players to make the Devils proud, and man of the match; Toby Dean for some inspiring fly-half play.

Can’t wait for next week, and another Devilish win!!! Devils SCRREEEAAMMMM!!!!!

Once again, the Derby Devils took to the pitch with the intention of spinning through the opposition like Dervishes. Unfortunately, some last minute changes in availability made this seem like less of a certainty than it was a mere 24 hours prior. Regardless of the last minute changes, the wailing banshee Devils ran out to face their day’s battle.

West Bridgford’s team came out strong, but not strong enough for the formidable Devil’s pack, which soon forced play back to 5m from the West Bridgeford’s line, and created a scrum in our favour. Which supernatural strength from the front row of, Brian Anderson, Colin Luscombe and Sandy J, the Scrum was held together as the rest of the pack drove it forward. This lead to an early drive over try scored from the No. 8’s feet by scrum half, Tris Poyser.

After this monumental effort from the forwards, the following kick off was plucked from the sky by Tim Leicester, leaping like a salmon. This ball, taken forward once again showed our strength against the opposition as we romped from breakdown to breakdown. West Bridgford then scored a breakaway try.

The match resumed and after lengthy periods of fantastic forward interplay, Mick Mead took the ball and charged at the line, with three West Bridgford players hanging off his back, this demonic effort saw the Devils in the lead.

The Devils backline saw great possession provided by the forwards, however, on finding its way there, they were put under pressure, as this was the area of the aforementioned last minute player changes. The ball being spun to the backs found a line of back row players, and out of position backs, demonstrating much less organisation than the pack. The best was made from all of the possession, and although hellish tackles were made by Gadsby and Zooie in the centres and Muirhead on the wing, West Bridgford managed to find their way through to score on a couple more occasions.

Highlights of the match - great backrow play from Pearce, Poutney and Ackford, some fantastic lines of running from No 8 come winger Goring, and some interesting pressure placed upon new fly-half, Ireland.

Although this was not the win hoped for, the score does not in any way reflect the dominance Derby had on the match in all areas. This was a great match, and regardless of the forced changes to the team sheet, each player stepped up to give their full efforts, and provide a performance that would make the club proud.

Bring on next week - Deeevills Sceeeamm!!!

A fine October day saw a vastly rejigged Derby "Stompin' Mud Devils" travel not to Southwell as billed, but to Ilkeston to pitch battle against their 2nd XV. The Mud Devils were also not as advertised, with 7 last-minute call ups decimating the original lineup. Unfortunately, this left the Stompin' Mud Devils with only 15 players, which was to prove costly. 

Ilkeston kicked off, and quickly went one score up as Derby were caught cold from the changing room. Some stern words from captain Ireland didn't appear to soak in, as Ilkeston struck again minutes later taking the score to 14-0 after 10 minutes through some very suspect Derby defence. 

A nightmare start kicked the Mud Devils into action as they upped their defence, and finally managed to get on the front foot and maintain possession of the ball. Some good phases of play took Derby down deep into the Ilkeston 22, where some cynical killing of the ball gave Derby a penalty in front of the sticks. Sensing a good opportunity to get scores on the boards, Fearny duly obliged, splitting the uprights with the nudge bringing the score to 14-3 to Ilkeston. 

Derby were now gaining in confidence, and again advanced into the Ilkeston 22. Unfortunately, a nasty injury to the 58-year old Paylor in the back row meant that the 1st half came to a close after 25 minutes. Everyone wishes him a speedy recovery. 

Down to 14 men, the two captains agreed to let Derby borrow two Ilkeston players for the second half, which kicked off with Derby again pressing the Ilkeston half as they started to put some phases together and contained Ilkeston with some much-improved defence - especially some massive back row hits. However, class started to tell and Ilkeston were using the space they created well, outflanking the Derby defence and capitalising on Derby mistakes to score three unanswered tries, kicking two conversions making the score 33-3 to Ilkeston 

The Stompin' Mud Devils were not licked yet. With admirable character, they continued to carry the game to Ilkeston. The forwards, who fought valiantly for parity all game, started to turn over Ilkeston scrum ball which No.8 Archer used to probe deep into Ilkeston territory. Belatedly, Derby were coming to life as the backs found holes in the opposition defence and linked well with the forwards. Good link play led to a try for scrum half Poyser, rewarded for some good distribution during the game. Fearny was wide with the nudge, making the score at 33-8 to Ilkeston. 

Derby tried valiantly to play out the final 5 minutes without shipping another score. Despite some awesome defensive work close to the line, especially holding up a driving maul for what seemed an eternity, Ilkeston found space to dot down out wide. With the score at 38-8, the referee blew the final whistle. After a frankly poor start, where Derby looked like cannon fodder for Ilkeston to run at, the Stompin' Mud Devils turned it around in terms of effort - everyone manned up well, and could be proud of their efforts. 

It was a nice sunny afternoon on the 7th of October as the Devils ran out onto the hallowed turf at Haslams lane looking to claim their second consecutive scalp.

After the best warm up in history, masterminded by Jon ‘the boy’ Cartledge, the game started with the Devils flying into the face of the opposition at every opportunity.

Several good runs by the forwards, including Bill ‘the kill’ Keating, who showed everyone how to gain yardage, resulted in a plentiful supply of ball to the backs. The two centres, Cartledge and Worthington, with a roll on- roll off cameo appearance by C5W, worked well and looked to break the gain line so often with little half breaks (even though they occasionally looked for their dummy half-backs) and a scorching run by Gadsby getting stopped just short of the line saw the devils pushing for their first try.

More supperb pressure by the forwards Mills, Budzynski and Paul ‘the mountain’ Archer, eventually saw the ball released down the line with Alec ‘speed machine’ Jardine trotting over for his first try of the game. This was converted by the new boy Dave Fearn who, if he maintains this sort of form, looks likely to keep his place at 10 (or any other positon you want Dave for whatever it costs for however long you want it whenever you want it mate just ask. The manager)

From the kick off Syston started  well with a few surprising breaks. The Devils seemed to have gone to sleep and managed to soak up 5 minutes of pressure looking like they had nearly turned the tide when Syston’s backs broke out of their half and a deft little chip ahead beat the Devils back line. The ball took a twist away from  Ireland allowing their very very very fast young winger to chip the ball from the full backs reach. The veteran, now on his 17th comeback and looking as lean as ever, picked himself up and gave chase not allowing the very very very fast winger to pull too far away. One more chip of the ball saw the winger move into the last 15 metres of the chase where at this point Ireland realised his turbo had broken and would not be available for the rest of the game. At that moment Syston scored and a legend of yesteryear was humbled.

The devils kicked off and again the forwards wreaked havoc. Ackford and Pountney, with more blistering breaks by Bill ‘The Kill’(one to watch for the future) secured great ball and, with the veteran Bates, ensured that the front row destroyed their oppositon, running them back mercilessly in the scrums (never seen Colin ‘cornish’ Luscombe smile so much). The pressure led to C5W nearly scoring, going over the line only to lose the ball to thier smallest bloke, but eventually the Devils had another score courtesy of Worthington. Once again converted by god.The Devils went into the second half with a lead but it was one scraped out in defiance rather than one which should have been crafted.

The second half saw the devils trying to return back to the form they had in the first half and some good running ensued.Some good return attacks by Phil ‘maddog’Maddocks, now at full back, saw the Devils backs break out of their own half often, the ball finding the oldest winger in town a few times.

Syston, however, had not read the script beforehand and would not let the Devils have it all their own way. Penalties were exchanged and scored, by goldenballs of course, and this led to Derby only having a one score advantage. Syston looked to try and build on this and exerted some great pressure but the Devils continuosly fought back at every opportunity.

The last ten minutes of the game saw Syston become frustrated and a poor piece of rucking saw Mr Archer depart the field feeling rather dizzy.The game seemed to slip even further when a Syston forward, deciding he couldn’t take anymore, tried to commit suicide by repeatedly headbutting the knuckles of Mr Matt  Bates’s hand. This resulted in the referee asking Mr Bates to leave the field of play and take a seat as he was obviously traumatised by the whole affair. More ball winning saw several attacks just getting stopped short. In the last ten minutes the forwards secured the ball, aided by Mark Fountain, and Trish Poyser whipped the ball away and gave it out to the one and only ‘speed machine’ Jardine who went over for his second try and putting himself into the record books as the leading try scorer for the Dev’s. This was converted by Goldenballs, which was the most difficult kick and surely only he could have got such a difficult kick. (You’re brill Dave, the manager.)

At this the referee, after another good game himself, decided to blow for full time and the game was Derby’s, settled at 24-12. This was a good performance and one the Devils know should have been a little sharper but a win is a win and with the forthcoming training sessions should enable the devs to play at their very best.

Hinckley kicked off on a very warm sunny afternoon more akin to July than late September and a Development side containing the returning Messrs. Archer and Turner plus the robust experience of Ritchie, Ireland and skipper for the day McCartin (all three resisting highly lucrative offers from the vets and with the skipper constantly being spurred on by timely reminders that "reputation breaker Big John T was waiting" - a bit like Robert Di Nero! but talking b******s not Italian!) set about Hinckley with one purpose, to win! The Derby pack had the better of the scrums, in the lineout Leicester and "Buddy" were outstanding and in the loose the pack especially Craig and Archer ensured a constant supply of good ball which if an understating, tactful and reluctant truth be told the backline did not shall we say exactly make the best use of, much to the good natured encouragement (total ******* despair) of the forwards!! Despite this good breaks by ‘the manager’ Ireland, Craig, Gadsby and Fearn with good support from 1 to 15 almost got points on the board on each occasion but it was Hinckley seeming aided by a perceived refereeing "rub of the green" (although to be fair the ref an old acquaintance of Derby had a decent game) and compounded by some poor (sorry that is far too polite…..) woeful tackling (although we certainly saved the best until the second half on that aspect!) took the lead and dished out another dose just before half time to give a score that did not really reflect the balance of play, possession or chances that should have had Derby in front.   

The second half started as the first ended with Hinckley taking advantage of any ball won by moving the it wide through their decent backline at every opportunity from any position on the park!!. Good running and handling gave rise to four more Hinckley tries arguably all four made somewhat easier by Derby's significant and at times embarrassing inability to put in a single tackle as if the ball carrier had a severe case of the bubonic plague! (The side step is an attacking trait not a defensive one! - you know who I mean, don’t you ****!) In the meantime normal service continued with a constant supply of good ball from the forwards especially in the lineout where by now the highly promising Burke had replaced Budzinski and Pountney swapped with the impressive Leicester. Mounting pressure on the Hinckley defence eventually forced Hinckley's forwards to transgress more frequently (with a bit of covert encouragement from Archer and Ritchie). From one of these infringements an attacking lineout saw the pack drive Hinckley over the line with Keating eventually claiming the try despite Moorcroft being sure it was he who scored! (Great little cameo and celebration there Nev! but sadly five pints later 'Billy' decided you didn't get that one afterall! Sorry mate) now in complete control Derby's pack moments later did a repeat performance this time Pountney touching down, Fearn converting both. Derby now scenting a comeback to put Lazarus to shame, when poised for a yet another catch and drive, a seemingly harsh intervention from Stevie Wonder's whistle, quick tap from Hinckley and by now the mandatory tackle avoidance’s allowed Hinckley to go the length of the pitch to score, effectively finishing the game. There was however still time for Derby to have the last say, good forward driving and ball retention plus good handling from the backs took Derby eight phases of play stretching the Hinckley defence far enough to eventually allow Fearn to coast in unopposed and touch down what was one of the best tries of the day, okay it took 80 minutes but showed just what could have been......!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Despite the defeat Derby showed that the ability is there especially in the forwards and the team is developing a good spirit and determination that will sooner rather than later bring the Devs a much-deserved first win this season.....although a bit of work on defence is required particularly the need to tackle the opposition ball carrier!

(That might just help somewhat!! ) 

Man of the Match: Tim ‘lineout’ Leicester & Paul ‘twinkletoes’ Archer

Deeeevviiillllsss!!!!

And with the wails and the cries of banshees, the Derby Devils rose from the depths of purgatory to walk amongst mere men once more. As we stepped out onto the pitch it was apparent that the summer months were over as the horizontal rain pelted across the pitch.

The fist half ensued and a fiery battle was made by all, but focused by the hits being taken by the back row Gadsby and Ewan “The Dr.” Craig. The scrumages were a supernatural display of strength with un-human forces being withheld by “Wu” Walters and “The Mighty Cormack”. The first half line outs were not helped by the uninviting weather, but Luscombe’s ball still managed to find its way to the hands of the dervishes.

The first half was permeated with a number of tries, unfortunately not our own, but the Devils backline made some hellish runs, from the likes of Rob “Chopper” Paylor and Andy “The Inferno” Fearn.

The second half showed the Deeeviills!! in a better light than the first, with the fire of Hell (or Derby at least) burning bright. Storming runs by the backs resulted in a strong try from Alec “Jarhead” Jardine and a great piece of forward interplay soon saw another from Nathan Ritchie. Hats off and three pronged forks down to the rousing performances from Jodie “The Goose” Else and the out of body moves performed by “Normski” Collier, that lead to his body failing him (get well soon Norm).

This, the first match of the season over, will have been the hardest for the Deeeviillls!! (screams) being roused from the warmths of Hell, and regardless of the outcome, a good battling spirit all round.