Belper played their first league match in 4 weeks and were left wondering how they are going to start turning pressure into points.

Belper kicked off with the wind behind them, but didn't wake up til 20 minutes into the game by which time they were 12 points down following some quick hands in the home side's backs with the ball getting touched down in the corner. Then minutes later tackles were forgotten and the lead was extended. When Belper finally woke up they started smashing holes in the homeside's defence and camped out in the Nottinghamian's half for decent periods of time.

Following good forward play from Dyer and Holmes Belper found themselves deep in the home team's 22 and as the ball was spun wide Gratton crashed into contact with the ball being released to England, who drew the defender for Nicholson to run in from 15 metres out to score on his return start following a stint in Belper's foreign side.

Belper should have extended their lead just on half time when 2 head height tackles on players were ignored by the ref when tries were in the offing but the referee claimed advantage had been played.

The second half saw Nottinghamians further their advantage to 15-5 but Belper responded well with Mc phee scoring in the corner following quick hands wide with Holmes feeding him well to power over in the corner.

Belper continued to battle but then fell asleep, conceeding in the corner and despite some real determination never seemed to get their teamwork together. If Belper want to stay up this season they need to get back together working as a unit and stick together.

This weekend sees local rivals Leesbrook visit Strutts fields which should be a real test of Belper's steel.