JC Balls Belper 1st XV 17 v Uttoxeter 1st XV 3

Following a start to the week of bad weather and plenty of H2O, Belper's pitch was very heavy but just about playable for the visit of title contenders Uttoxeter to Strutt's Fields.

The first half saw Belper play from the old clubhouse towards the hospital, playing into the wind and receiving the ball from the kick off. Belper's plan was to aim to at least keep the visitor's score in single figures for the first half. The kick off from the visitors didn't make 10 yards and Belper started the game with a scrum on half-way, with the visitors having a much larger and more experienced set of forwards they pushed Belper backwards but the ball moved back quickly to Meakin who spun the ball out to Blackwell who moved the ball out through the backs seeing Byard setting off on one of his trademark power runs, getting tackled into touch.

For the next 15 minutes Belper asked the visitors questions in defence and but for bad handling or decision making Belper woud have opened the scoring.

Belper having made the brighter start started to flag a little in the heavy conditions and the visitors started to press using the wind to find touch deep in Belper's 22 from penalties and using their weight to drive the ball on, but every time they looked like scoring one of Belper's forwards would rip the ball back out of a tackle or drive over a ruck to win the ball back. Smith, Skivington and Inns were knocking players back left right and center and with only a couple of minutes left in the first half Uttoxeter were driving towards the home side's 5 metre line when Skivington tackled the player receiving the popped ball from the scrum half, Holmes then repeated from the next ruck and not to be outdone Inns on the third ruck collected the ball and drove deep into Uttoxeter's half, thus turning the visitors attack into a Belper attack. With the first half finishing scoreless Belper were fired up knowing they had weathered a storm and were up for doing some damage themselves.

Half time 0-0

Belper kicked off with Holmes and Skivington chasing the kick down and putting the full back under pressure who crumbled and knocked on giving Belper an opportunity to attack from the resulting scrum. Meakin fed Blackwell the ball who popped to Tennick who returned the ball to the looping Blackwell who spun the ball wide to Blount who crashed into contact on the 22 only to see the visitors handle in the ruck giving Belper a penalty in front of the posts. Blount stepped up and from 20 metres out slotted the penalty to give Belper the lead.

Uttoxeter weren't going to lie down and came back at Belper with the forwards keeping the ball tight and working upfield with Adams and England working hard keeping them at bay.
Belper held firm with Ogorman and Emslie making some big hits deep in their 22.
Following the visitor's pressure Belper turned the screw some more with Inns setting off on a run with 3 players needed to take him down, as he was finally slowed he popped out to Holmes who set off further getting tackled near the visitors 22, Adams and Omara set the ruck and Inns picked and went and as he was tackled Blackwell darted through a gap calling for the ball, Inns popped the ball out of the tackle and Blackwell dashed under the posts to score. Blount converted giving Belper a 10-0 lead.

Belper had to get back to tackling practice with Uttoxeter asking questions and with a couple of tired missed tackles the Visitor's 15 found himself running into Belper's 22. Blackwell tackled back and set after the ball but was adjudged to have handled on his knees, giving the Visitors a penalty in front of the posts, having missed an opportunity earlier in the game Uttoxeter's kicker made sure with their kick 10-3

Uttoxeter seemed to rally and go in search of more points with some good pick and driving, they found themselves camped on Belper's line, but try as they may Belper held firm with every player putting their bodies on the line, with the forwards especially showing a master class in last ditch defence, not even the visitor's capitain, a 19 stone power house could cross the line from 5 metres out when Inns and Skivington tackled him backwards. Moments later Smith held a player up as he dived over the line to save another certain score. Blount ran out of his 25 and kicked a speculative ball through which the Visitor's 15 collected and tried to step past Emslie at full pace only to be hit so hard he spilled the ball forwards, with Smith picking up and running on, popping out of contact to Holmes then receiving a return pass from Holmes and doing a little dance, combing his hair and generally mucking about a bit before diving over under the posts to score his first try of the season. Blount converted to give Belper a deserved 17-3 victory and remind the rest of the league that they are not going to give up top place easily