Match reports for Saturday 4th September 1999
Taken from the Belper News 08/09/99

Belper 1^st XV 35  Rolls Royce 1^st XV 10

Despite the unseasonably hot conditions, Belper laid out their stall from the start, running the ball at their opponents from all over the field. After an early settling down period, Belpers fitness began to tell, and they stretched their opponents right across their defensive line.
Merv Holmes made a long break, which set up supporting center Jason Cotton for the first try, converted by Jon French.
Brother Mike, on his debut, caused havoc with a strong run which put in Andy Laven for another converted try.
With Rolls Royce kicking a penalty, Belper led 14 – 3 at half time.
Following encouraging words from new skipper Ed O’Dell during the break, Belper continued to attack, with Ed Tomlinson making a decisive break to put in Merv Holmes under the posts.
The forwards with Veteran prop Alan Mayes to the fore, caused mayhem in the Rolls Ranks, allowing Jon French to intercept a try and score another try.
Then Mike French, set up by Mick Laven, put in Andy Laven for his second try.
Despite conceding one try in the second half, Belper, with Jon French kicking all five conversions, ran out easy winners.

Belper 2nd XV 44  Rolls Royce 2nd XV 20

New captain Goeff Hornby, asked the team to play open Rugby and they followed his demands to the letter, with a seven try demolition job on an overrun Rolls Royce team.
The pack soon established a good platform, which provided ample possession for the whole team to become involved in the attack.
The ball was passed about as if in a sevens tournament, whilst the bludgeoning runs of Warren Haywood and Mike Phelan, from the back row, punched enormous holes in the defense.
Newcomer Rick Bartram, in the second row, was man of the match, whilst another debutante, prop Lance Blount, not only had a storming game, but bundled over for a try.
Andy Birchett and John Tatham both scored excellent tries to finish off moves by the backs, whilst veteran skipper Hornby showed experience and cunning to fly over from a quick tap penalty.
Straight running also saw Warren Hayward bulldoze his way over the line for a hat trick of tries.
Andy Birchett kicked three conversions, whilst skipper Hornby converted a penalty to see Belper finish as convincing winners.
 

Amber Valley 3^rd XV 42  Belper 3^rd XV 17

Despite losing a number of players to the 2^nd XV late on, Belper still managed to field a 3^rd XV for this first week of the season something of a record.
The usual mixture of veterans, newcomers and youngsters made it a close game until half time, forcing Amber Valley back, with flanker Stan Tomlinson charging over from a five meter scrum.
Valley scored three times in the space of two mad minuets to leave the game delicately poised, but then made four replacements at half time- all 1^st XV players who had their game cancelled at the last minute.
However, although this saw them add three further tries to extend their lead, Belper did not give up, but rather set out to show that they could score no matter the strength of opposition.
Stan Tomlinson, alert as ever, nipped in for a second try, whilst Mick Finn showed all his skills to jink over for another, and also kicked a conversion.
Skipper Neil Wayne had a try disallowed, whilst newcomer Kevin Putt hooked four scrums against the head.
A promising start for the new season.