Belper 2nds kicked off the New Year with a hastily re-arranged home fixture against Dronfield and again, had to listen to Mick Elove's pre match talk. Despite all the cliches about "scoring more points than the opposition" and having to answer the same question about "wanting it", (whatever "it" maybe) in a loud shouty voice about ten times, Belper took to the field with an air of confidence and determination.

From the Belper kick off it was clear that despite no one really understanding the pre match talk, it was certainly effective and Belper immediately caused Dronfield problems. Rob Parker toke it upon himself to maul and ruck as if it was his last game (???) and managed to win good ball for Belper who spread the ball down the line and gave Danny Doodah-Thingy an easy score in the right corner. The kick was missed by Jack Blount who blamed the soft ground underfoot and the cross wind.

Straight from the kick off Belper returned the ball with vengance and went straight back down the field with the Captain Holmezy, the aging fly half, creating gap after gap for Big Brian (Ex Irish Rugby League and netball international) to burst through. The first 25 minutes must have been a blur to Dronfield as they conceded try after try and allowing Belper to build up a 32(ish) point lead, with Steve Whittle being the main man with 4 tries.

Towards the end of the half, again Captain Holmezy broke through the Dronfield defence and fed a delightful ball down out to Big Brian, on to Steve Whittle who released Luke "Swiss Tony" Bullivant and gave him so much time that he managed to sell the Dronfield fullback an 04 plate Vectra, on an attractive finance package, before putting the ball down for his first Belper try. Darren Griffiths managed to miss the kick.

With a comfortable lead Belper managed to take a nap in their 22m and when they arose from the slumber, Dronfield had snook over for a try. Very sneaky if you ask me. Half time came with the score at approx 40-5.

During the half time team talk, Micky Love rambled on about commitment, hard work and desire whilst Captain Holmezy again did his best to upset the referee. It difficult to say whose speech was more effective but perhaps Mick Elove shaded it because Belper came out with all guns blazing in the second half and gave Dronfield no way back into the game by scoring early on through a Steve Whittle try.

As the game went on, Belper relaxed more and more and some of the handling and running was quite a joy to watch. The scrum was solid and won ball against the head on numerous occasions with the wiley old prop Tony Laven having a starring role, despite his gout and poorly ankles. Gaz Dakin, on his return to rugby after childbirth, was an inspiration and managed to score 2 tries.

Gaz played extremely well and if only he could lose the weight that pregnancy brings, then he must be a consideration for 1st team. Old Dobber, fresh from his enforced rest, found himself with the ball in open play, and in a moment of panic, decided to kick (???) and then shout "Chase me". The worrying thing is that Steve whittle (newly married) was on the same wavelength as Old Dobber and took off, managing to beat the full back to the ball for his 5th touch down, sorry wrong sport,,,,, try! The Dronfield full back later confirmed that he would have been more alert had he not been reading the handbook of his newly aquired 04 plateVectra. ( Big "up" to Swiss Tony!!).

Dronfield never really threatened in the second half until Captain Holmezy decided to take a rest and allow a kick thorough to run dead, however the post had other ideas and prevented this, which mean't Cap'n Holmezy had to play the ball. Despite doing a good job under difficult circumstances Mick Elove decided that criticism was called for and proceeded to de-motivate the now sullen Captain to just short of tears.
Perhaps the most surreal moment of the day came towards the end of the game when, from a scrum wide on the left, the ball was passed down the backs in a mesmerising interchange of handling which must have lasted for at least 3 minutes, for Steve Whittle to pop up on the right wing and scamper in at the corner. He had the forethought to head for the posts to make the kick easier.

Unfortunately when he arrived under the posts, he was joined by Mick Elove who had ambled across the park and headed for where he thought the ball would end up, like any good forward should. However, the shock of him actually being there was too much for Steve who, in panic, threw the ball back to Mick for him to score. Forget his previous boasts of scoring from 25, sorry 75 metres out, this time he scored from minus 2 metres which must be a club record!

The final whistle went with the score 57-5 to Belper. And Gay Tom Hallam ( now confirmed) volumteered to have a birthday and get the customary baptism in the Derwent.It was good to get back to winning ways, and that much covetted mid table place looks to have Belper's name all over it. To round off a good day, the second 2nd team also managed a victory against a Ripley side so it was all smiles in the clubhouse. In the final tallying up of try scorers, 2 tries were unaccounted for so in a moment of graciousness, Captain Holmezy claimed them. Much discussion took place after the match about the performaces of certain players but it was eventually decided that all who played today would benefit from staying in the second team for a few more months.

A good day at Belper was followed in the evening by Gay Tom's coming out,,,,sorry,,, birthday party and that was a quiet affair with absolutely no arguments or raised voices from anyone at all associated with the rugby club, so all was well.

Leesbrooke away next week, so pack your bags, were going to Long Eaton!!