The first game of 2007 saw Belper entertain promotion rivals Buxton at the Strutts playing fields. At the start of the day Buxton were 1 point ahead in 3rd place in the league. The weather certainly suited Buxton with a continuous downpour, keeping the ball wet and the ground very heavy. This allowed Buxton to slow the ball down and keep it tight with their forwards using their substantial weight and age advantage to drive deep into Belper's 22.

Buxton's bully boy tactics couldn't break Belper's defence, with the Belper and Buxton front rows exchanging blows the referee calmed the situation and Hayward, following a rucas with his opposite number, stayed on the park.

Belper stood firm despite the onslaught of punching, stamping and cheap shots with Belper's young forwards letting their rugby do the business, taking it all in and taking revenge with hard tackling. Inns tackled everything that moved and Holmes followed suit, chasing runners down and tackling players half his age.

Belper nearly opened the scoring when Blackwell took a quick penalty deep in Buxton's half, popping out to Tennick who fed Inns who crashed through several tacklers, setting up a ruck with Adams picking up and driving but being stopped just short of the line.

It was 0-0 at half time with Belper spending much of their time choosing the wrong option in attack, trying to take Buxton's big forwards on rather than using their pacey backs.

Coach Boydd had words with his players and told them they needed to move the ball rather than taking the ball too far on their own.

The second half opened well with Belper attacking the old clubhouse with Gray pressurising the visitors fullback, following a Blackwell punt down field, the ball was kicked clear and Belper couldn't score following good pressure.

The Visitors opened the scoring with Belper handling on the floor in the ruck and the ref giving the penalty in front of the posts which Buxton's Fly-half slotted well.

Belper's heads didn't fall and with 30 minutes on the clock started to turn the screw pushing Buxton back, With Coombes and Blake wreaking havoc in the Buxton back line. Belper scored with 20 minutes left, the ball was fed from Naylor to Blackwell who fed Tennick. Tennick popped the ball to Coombes who in turn popped the ball to Blake, who knocked the ball backwards with Buxton's winger picking up and running towards his 22, Holmes stopped him in his tracks ripping the ball out of his hands and sprinted 20 yards to slide in at the corner with 2 players jumping on him but unable to stop the try.

With 17 minutes left Blount made his return and added to his seasons scoring with his first touch of the game, a penalty given for a high tackle 30 yards out was given and Blount expertly slotted.

Belper should have extended their lead but bad decision making stopped them from adding when overlaps were on, the forwards took the ball on just too far and Blount was unlucky with another penalty attempt. But Belper held firm and deservedly took the points to leapfrog Buxton and move to 3rd in the league