Belper's class shows through

Ripley Rhinos 18 v Belper 2nd XV 29

Belper faced a team made up of players resembling a barbarian side with members of Ripley, Long Eaton and Rolls Royce playing for them but despite facing a strong side Belper showed their usual disregard of opposition's strength with a show of skill and power which Ripley Barbarians couldn't compete with!

In the early action it was Ripley who opened the scoring following a slip on a muddy field from no fewer than 5 Belper backs for the ball to roll fortuitously over Belper's try line where Dave Trubee fell onto the ball despite an apparent knock on to open the scoring.Then Trubee converted from close to the touch line.

Belper were futher behind following a fine kick from the half way line from Trubee who's boots were on fire with some audacious kicking.

Belper started to turn the screw with P Holmes and T Laven opening the Ripley defence up with a trick pass and loop then a switch with a grubber kick which A Laven chased picked up and popped to Big bro Mick who floated a delightful 15 meter pass out to Birchet who dived in for Belpers first try of the day.

Minutes later Belper equalled the scores following a 50 meter run from M Laven who handed off three tackles to loop a ball to his left for younger bro Andy to score under the posts. Birchet converted to give Belper a 12-10 half time lead.

The second half started much the same as the first with Ripley using their kickers expertise to hold Belper deep in their 22.

Ripley then scored a brilliant drop goal following a show of flare from Melhuish who handed off C Patilla putting him on his bum then formed the ruck with ball spun out to Trubee who dropped the ball through from 30 meters out.

Belper fell futher behind with two well taken Trubee penalties with Ripley looking to run riot.

Iit took an inspirational subs appearence from Stan Tomlinson making his debut for the season to turn things around.

Within seconds of coming on the legendary Tomlinson shuffle was seen with the Ripley centers left flat footed as Stan stepped left then right through a gap then chipping into the corner for Dyson to score from a Mick Laven pick up and pass.that was Dyson's 4th of the season, only 3 behind lead scorer A Laven. Birchet converted to put Belper within 2 points of Ripley with minutes to go!

Following some excellent mauling from power house Mack, Belper scored to take the lead, with the maul moving forward Mack picked the ball from the back of the maul and dived over the line for his Belper debut try
Belper were then fortunate to score again with a clearing kick being sliced straight to M Laven who kept the ball in close to the line and return th kick towards the posts with Town chasing and catching to dive over the line to score, Birchett took his tally to 9 with the conversion and give Belper a 29-18 victory.

Next week's team will likely be changed with some of the players pushing for a 1st team slot.