The Mighty Belper 2nd XV once again took to the hallowed Strutt's Fields to continue their quest for cup glory, the opposition being none other than their old cup nemesis from the previous year the dastardly Buxton second team.

It was a hotly contested game that saw neither side giving the other any chances to break through and score. But through sheer determination and unrelenting pressure Belper managed to force a mistake from Buxton and were awarded a penalty that Emslie converted to put 3 points on the scoreboard. More opportunities arose for Belper as the half progressed, a sprightly break from senior number 7 Morgan Day caught Buxton completely off guard unfortunately the referee deemed the initial pass to be forward and bought the porky back rower back the 50 meters he had already waddled for the Buxton scrum.

Buxton also made a couple of sneaky breaks down the wings only to be brought crashing down by some formidable covering tackles from Emslie, Blake and International winger Rod Almighty.

With a couple of changes to the line up (A J Mc Laven coming on for Ryan; M Laven for Robinson and Blount coming on for Holmes) the second half saw an even more determined Belper station themselves deep within Buxton's half. Buxton, however managed a couple of swift breaks but only strayed in Belper's territory a couple of times spending less than 3 minutes in the home teams half of the pitch. Unfortunately for Belper, Buxton made the most of these brief sorties into enemy territory by adding 3 points of their own to the score board making it a nail biting 3 all. Despite numerous penalties and excellent lineout work from Bullet, O'Garam, Town and Watson, Belper failed to find the gaps or the posts to bring the game back under control.

EXTRA TIME!!!

A short break and some words encouragement from Bardon, Smith and Blount saw the Mighty Belper 2s ready to go. Almost immediately Buxton make a daring break for glory that resulted in an unconverted try taking the visitors into the lead.

The referee took offence to winger Blake's long foppish hair after numerous girly hair pulls from Buxton the referee gave the ultimatum, tie it back or see the red card!! After a brief hair styling session that left the poor young man looking like a pineapple on legs Blake was angry and ready to go. A turnover ball by scrum half Nicholson was passed out by back row O'Garam to now the streamlined Blake who broke through the Buxton lines to be faced with the fullback. Having to make a quick decision between being tackled without support or try line glory, Blake chose the latter by selling the 15 a text book sidestep. 8-8! The dream was once again well and truly alive.

Smith from the sidelines decided to shake things up a little in the backs putting Nicholson out to the wings, Blake into the centres and Andrew Laven in at scrum half. This allowed some of the trademark Laven 8/9 manoeuvres and some nice centre moves from Blake and Barrow.

In the second half of extra time Andrew Laven stepped through numerous tackles, in the way only he knows how, to give Belper an extra 5 points and a tentative lead. Emslie converted to make the gap just that little bit wider.

Belper kept up the pressure, happy to run down the clock and keep their lead. Mere minutes before the end though they thought what the hell and the backs pulled off a quick ball to the wing that saw a fleet footed Nicholson finally seal Belper's win with a further glorious 5 points. However, the referee thought Nicholson may have been in touch and consulted with the controversial lines man Ross Gray. After what seemed like a lifetime Gray finally decided Nicholosn hadn't gone into touch, the try was awarded and the Mighty Belper 2s were heading to the final.

The final battle for cup supremacy will take place further up the Derwent Valley at Matlock on the 13th of May. The opposition this time will be the Club's nemesis Melbourne. Please come and give your support. KO 11:30. Please come along and give your support as the 2s fight to reclaim the trophy.