Belper Run Royces's over

20th November 2004 Rolls Royce 1st XV 7 - Belper 1st XV 22

This game was brought forward with an earlier kick-off time to allow for the international match

The Royce's pitch was firm but not hard following a heavy frost, and it was Belper who made all the running in the first half with the visiting forwards dominating

Holmes led the way with some darting runs and crunching tackles, knocking the home attack backwards whenever they had the ball.

Follwoing a ruck in the Belper half the ball was spun out to Laven who chipped forwards and with the ball bouncing horribly, and Royce's full back being caught flat footed, Inns sprinted onto the ball, kicking through, only to be illegally tackled off the ball and leaving the ref no choice but to award a penalty try to Belper which Dymond converted.

Minutes later, with their tales up, Belper powered forward with Laven and Tennick combining well with some exquisite centre play releasing Lewis who ran 20 yards only to be tackled just short of the line. The Belper forwards rucked well with Hayward picking up and crashing through three tackles to score his first of the season.

Just before half time Belper scored again following powerful forwards play from Sisson and Bartrum which led to a Belper scrum. From this Skivington picked up and popped the ball to Blackwell who stepped past the first tackler and slid into the corner to score.

As half time loomed Belper's forwards recycled the ball well allowing the backs to run in another try in the corner with Laven evading several tackles to allow Lewis to score his 5th of the season.

The hosts came out fighting in the second half with the only score coming in the last 10 minutes of the match with Royce's fly-half running behind his retreating centre, blocking the tackle of Tennick and scoring under the posts.

Despite Royce's efforts, the Belper defence held firm and with Combes and Shepherd putting in some monstrous defensive hits, Royce's never looked like scoring.

Belper nearly nicked another try with Gratton being held just short of the line following a typically mazy 30 yard run