UTTOXETER
1ST XV 7pts
BELPER 1st XV 12pts
BELPER continue to top Midlands 6 East (NW) after becoming the first team to
score on Uttoxeter territory this season, thus ending
their unbeaten record.
The visitors kicked off into the wind and knew it was going to be a tough game
as Uttoxeter kept the ball tight to the forwards
using their bulk and weight advantage to try and bosh holes in the Belper
defence.
Following some sustained pressure Belper returned fire with some good rucking from the forwards with Holmes picking and driving
being supported by
The ball was spun wide to Booth who stepped through a gap and released Tennick. He in turn popped wide to Wilson who powered down
the wing and gave the ball back inside to Blackwell who was tackled into touch
short of the line.
The visitors then opened the scoring following further pressure in the backs.
Blackwell was tackled 30-metres out and the defender handled the ball in the ruck. A penalty was awarded and Booth opened the scoring.
Belper doubled their score with another penalty, this time following a break
from Inns in the forwards. A handling offence was penalised and Booth added
another three points.
The visitors continued to pressure through the half but handling errors and
good defensive work from the home side kept Belper at bay
It was Uttoxeter who could have score twice in the
last 15 minutes, firstly following good forward work and Belper held firm on
the line but Omara was binned following excellent
tackling from himself and Inns but was adjudged to have handled in the ruck giving him ten minutes in the sin bin.
Moments later the home side's no. seven charged through several of the Belper
forwards looking like he was going to score from 10 metres out but Inns tackled
back superbly to hold him inches short of the line and Belper led 6-0 at half
time.
The second half began scrappily
and following a bad decision from the referee, not seeing the ball had
travelled short of the 10-metres from the kick, Uttoxeter
got on the front foot. The weather then turned wet and the ball became
slippery.
The home side spent 70 per cent of the second half in Belper's half but failed
to score several penalties and again Belper broke away with the man of the
match
The hosts rallied and finally scored against Belper's dogged defence with the
forwards and some of Belper's backs drawn in, the home side spread the ball
wide and despite Tennick's best efforts, the ball was
spread wide of him and he only stroked the attacking player as he ran in to
score next to the posts.
The conversion was good and set up a nervy final ten minutes.
With
the home side’s tails up Belper knuckled down and worked hard, keeping the ball
tight then spinning the ball out to the backs who took the ball to the home
side, hitting hard then setting again.
Following a scrum deep in the home side’s half the ball was spun wide from
Booth to Tennick who stopped and stepped back inside
his opposite number who lay over the ball, stopping the quick release and
giving away a penalty in front of the posts.
Booth slotted to give Belper a 12-7 lead which they held onto with some
brilliant tackling and general grit. The win puts Belper two points clear at
the top of the table.
Belper’s
next game is
Belper’s next league game is Saturday, November 10 when they are home to Boots
Athletic.