Match reports for Saturday 4th Dcember
Taken from the Belper News 8/12/99

Belper 1^st XV 10pts West Bridgford 1st XV 15pts

Fielding a weakened side Belper fell to three thrusts by the visitors' strong running centres and the wicked bounce of the ball that is part of the unexpected and challenging game of rugby.
In the first half Belper stormed forward and exerted continuos pressure on the Bridgford line, but were unable to find an opening despite the quality of ball that the pack produced, which was quickly fed to the backs by the quick linking of Jon French and Steve Dymond at half-back.
A breakaway by the powerful outside centre forged the first try and then two kicks from deep inside their own half and helpful bounces of the ball saw Bridgford score two further tries, despite Belper having had most of the possession and territorial advantage!
Finding themselves 15 points down Belper finally put their pressure to good use and created enough space for Simon Cooke to power his way over for a try converted by Steve Dymond.
Dymond then converted a penalty, but that proved to be the final score of the match.

Belper 2ndXV 0pts West Bridgford 2nds 58pts (Friendly)

This was not a good day for the second team who arrived for this game two players short and with others having to play out of position .
Youngster Gareth Lyons, making his debut at this level in the back row, showed promise for the future, but generally well drilled home team proved much too organised for Belper and one can only feel sympathy for skipper Geoff Hornby who did his level best to keep the team playing as well as possible in the circumstances.

Belper 3rdXV 20pts Tamworth 10pts

Against a powerful well drilled opposition who clearly expected to win, Belper 3rds played some of their best rugby of the season to chalk up a really noteworthy victory.
The game saw the return from injury of line-out specialist Tim Yule, who duly won a great deal of possession, whilst work commitments saw prop forward Darren Butler only able to play at home, and he had a storming game amongst a solid display by the home forwards.
With a veteran set of backs, Mick Finn, Nigel Gell, Jim Kenning and Mike Beavis the home team had too much 'know how' for the visitors.
The accurate foot of Finn opened up a three point lead with a penalty before an exciting back row move saw man of the match Mike Beavis storm over for the first try converted by the reliable Finn.
Tamworth scored an interception try, which was converted and then skipper Neil Wayne gave away a penalty in front of the posts which Tamworth kicked to draw level 10 - 10 at half time.
In the second half both teams attacked from the start, but the home defence proved watertight, whilst the speed of young winger Ben Love saw him romp over for another try, Finn again converting before he kicked a penalty to give the home side a well-deserved victory