Belper 1st XV21ptsWorksop 1st XV 13pts
WORKSOP opened the scoring this clash between fourth and fifth
in the league, with a penalty in the third minute. Then the visiting No 8 stamped
on the head of flanker Mick Laven as he led Belpers reply: Brotherly loyalty
saw full back Andy take exception, and he was then sent off along with the stamper.
From then on Belper always looked the most likely winners, often pushing Worksop
back five or rnore meters in the set scrums, enabling Val Morrell, ably supported
by Alan Mayes, Mike Wild and latterly Darren Butler, to win a number of strikes
against the head. In the lineouts too, although not as tall as the visitors,
Belper won more than their fair share of possession. Here Mitch Town had a great
afternoon, with great support from Merv Holmes and Ed O'Dell. Great play in
the loose from Mike Phelan, Merv Holmes and Mick Laven, after he was patched
up from the studs in his face, gave Belper the possession to run riot in the
Worksop defence. With Steve Dymond making some telling breaks and great kicks
for position, and Mike French always breaking at least one tackle, It seemed
as though Belper would run up a high score, but uncharacteristic fumbles and
poor decision prevented this. In the seventh minute Steve Dymond opened the
Belper account with a penalty and Increased this in the 18th minute with another
successful kick. Despite dominating Belper reached half time behind as in the
last minute of the half, Worksop ran a penalty which Belper thought was going
to be kicked and conceded a try.
Increasing pressure brought another penalty from Dymond, and within two minutes
a move involving forwards and backs saw winger Jason Cotton fly in for a try,
converted by Dymond to put Belper firmly I the driving seat Near the end replacement
prop Darren Butler drove over for another try. Then Merv Holmes and Mick Laven
were pulled down just short of the line. In the 43rd minute Worksop scored a
second try, but Belper were already home and dry. This week's game sees league
leaders Market Rasen as the visitors in an important encounter for Belper.
Belper 2nd XV12pts Southwell 2nd XV 15pts
NOT as close a game as the score suggests, as Belper dominated for long periods, scoring two tries and a conversion whilst the hosts relied on their youthful backs for three break away tries. The Belper pack won most of the possession going, with Ian Davidson, Ian Yates, Rick Batram, Kenny Mclluish and Shaun Thompson making life very difficult for their opposing front five. An astute kick from John Holmes saw John Tatham roar over for the first Belper try, which Holmes converted. The Belper back row of Martyn Robinson, Tony Issett and Warren Hayward were everywhere in the loose, setting up attacks and destroying the opposition's possession. Finally the pack urged on by a scrum half and skipper Geoff Honby pushed a five metre scrummage over the line for Warren Hayward to pick up and score a great team try.
Belper 3nd XV20pts Worksop 3rd XV 34pts