Match reports for Saturday 13th November 1999
Taken from the Belper News 17/11/99

Belper 1^st XV 7pts Aylestone St James 1^st XV 23pts

Belper never really got together as a team in this match last Saturday and despite an outstanding effort from the back row of Merv Holmes, Mick Laven and man of the match Tony Issett, they failed to come to grips with opponents who clearly wanted to win the match more than Belper did.
The hosts, strengthened by a number of players with southern hemisphere accents took the game to Belper and soon built up a 13 point lead, only for the speed of Andy Laven to cut through their defence for a try converted by Steve Dymond, just before half time.
In the second half Belper began to find some form, but unfortunately they showed a lack of discipline all too often and thus lost possession at vital moments.
Despite hard work by Pete Smith and Tony Wild in the front row they failed to add their score.
Indeed these transgressions were further punished by Aylestone scoring a converted try and a penalty, to run out worthy winners on the day

Belper 2nd XV 5pts Burton Joyce 1st XV 7

Following last weeks win, the seconds went into a very tough game with lots of confidence.
They played with not a little skill and a great deal of effort, but narrowly lost when they failed to convert their try whilst Burton Joyce kicked their only score.
The hard-working back row of Martin Robinson, Rob Lea and John Tatham managed to recycle the ball on numerous occasions but unfortunately, Belper all too often kicked possession away and despite the fact that they had a set of potential match-winning backs
Powerful breaks by Mike Beavis and Anthony England stretched the visitors to the limits and Craig Tennick and Dave Taylor both nearly profited.
Rick Bartrum and Ian Davidson both had powerful games in the scrum and came close to creating scoring opportunities for the home side.
Youngster Alistair Teager came on to replace Beavis at half time and was set up by a break from Tatham and Robinson, who in turn fed Jon French, on to Anthony England and finally Teager, who powered his way over the line for an outstanding score.
Unfortunately the conversation failed and Belper lost a great game by two points.

Belper 3rd XV 27pts Chesterfield 3rd XV 0pts

Such is the strength and depth at Belper these days that they were able to field a strong 3rd XV, including replacements.
The game started with Chesterfield forcing Belper back and coming close to scoring an early try. However , the Belper defence was not broken and a kicked clearance after five minutes saw Ben Love chase the full length of the field to win the race to touch down for the opening score.
A few minutes later outstanding scrum-half Mick Finn converted a penalty to put Belper eight points ahead, which remained the score at half time.
With newcomers Phil Robinson and Kirk Rowbottom, who put in a powerful man of the match performance, ensuring that the pack won a great deal of second phase ball that the backs, superbly organised by veteran centre Jim Kenning, were able to run at Chesterfield.
A quick-taken penalty saw Kenning slip through for a second try, before a surge from Stan Tomlinson, Rob Parker, Kirk Rowbottom and Chris Smith set Finn up for a try in the corner, which Ben Love converted.
The final move of the match saw the whole pack surge forward, slick handling keeping the ball alive and Rob Parker surged over for a final try again converted by love.