Belper 2nd XV 19 v Matlock 3rd XV 0

Belper again fielded a mixed side of young hotspurs and evergreen veterans against a Matlock 3rd team that was a similar mix of youth and experience.

The previous game at Matlock saw these two sides draw 5-5 and the opening minutes showed it was going to be a hard day for both sides.

Matlock had much more of the territory and possession in the first half, pinning Belper in their own 22 for long periods of the half, but Belper's tackling was outstanding and Matlock could find no way through.

Belper had to rearrange the side when they lost club stalwart Roger Morgan who cricked his neck trying to watch the Wales match on the clubhouse telly, and Tim Yule with a twisted ovary, but stayed firm in their resolve not to let Matlock breech their line

The half ended nil-nil

An inspired decision by Captain Mick Laven saw him move debutant Jack Blount from second row to full-back, and this made quite a difference on the game as Matlock's kicks downfield in the second half were returned with interest by the mighty boot of Blount junior. This gave Belper's forwards the positional advantage to set up a series of attacking rolling mauls, and the deadlock was broken when Emslie broke the Matlock back line to score a fine try on his return from injury. Blount junior converted to make it 7 - 0

Matlock now started to lose their discipline and were questioning the referee's every decision, but Belper were now on a roll and another surge by the forwards saw Mike Inns, also just back from injury, power over to cap a fine performance with a try. Again Man of the Match Jack Blount converted 14 - 0.

The comedy moment of the game came when Tony Laven did a fantastic pratt-fall following a gentle tap from Matlock's 2nd row. The ref wasn't impressed and Laven quickly made a miraculous recovery. So miraculous that he managed to pick a ball out of a ruck (and out of elder brother Andy's hands) and roll around to score Belper's third try. Blount Jr narrowly missed the conversion.

All smiles at the end for Belper after a well fought win over a strong Matlock side who made this a really enjoyable game, much like the fixture at their place earlier in the season.