Belper overpower Leesbrook

Belper entertained Leesbrook this week expecting a tough physical encounter as previous games with Leesbrook had always been tight and bruising affairs. Once again Belper fielded a changed side, something that seems to be a recurring theme that needs to be remedied if we are to challenge for the title. Joe Blackwell returned this week playing out of position at 9 for the injured Naylor. A long awaited recall was handed to the tenacious Tennick in the centres to replace O'Gorman's inavailability. A number of other changes were also required with Dyer moving from the front row to 7 to replace Holmes and Emslie moving to full back.

The weather seemed as though it was going to have a hand in today's game after a week of heavy rain the pitch had begun to transform into the familiar mudbath that happens in every season other than summer. With intermittent downpours and strong gusts it did not bode well for expansive and crisp rugby.

The game kicked off with Belper receiving into the wind and oncoming rain and from the off took the game to Leesbrook. For long periods Leesbrook had to defend the Belper onslaught, however the condition of the pitch and the slipperyness of the ball leveled out the game. The first half was a scrappy affair with Belper making a number of significant handling errors at times when it looked as though they were going to punish Leesbrook. While Belper's pressure at times was relentless, Leesbrook responded by utilising the wind and using the boot of their 10 to relieve the pressure, however Belper's response to this was to take it right back into the fray.

Belper's Scrummaging seemed a million miles from last week, Leesbrook by no means were pushovers, but all cylinders seemed to be running in the engine room and Belper were dominant in the scrum winning a number against the head, which in turn disheartened the Leesbrook pack. The lineouts seemed to be functioning well in the main however Leesbrooks no.7 seemed was quite disruptive at two jumper, Belper controlled the ball with efficiency and guile at times and Leesbrook were unable to cope with the pressure.

The first half finished 0-0. Captain Gaz Dakin and Bob Boyd, who was sporting a new coat rallied the team and reminded them that while there was no score yet, it would come providing the focus, control and hunger remained in the side. Coach Barden's instructions were clear and the team were reminded of this.

The second half started with similar gusto to the first with Belper piling on the pressure. The game was very much kept in and around the forwards who worked the fringes and support play well. Leesbrook could only defend and through numerous indiscretions the penalties started coming Belper's way. The first points came from the boots of Blount following a sustained period of attack where Leesbrook were caught in an offside position and Blount took the points.

From the kick off Belper returned to the Leesbrook 22 and continued to push and pressurise the Leesbrook line, With excellent work from the forwards Leesbrook defended for their lives, however after 4 penalties on the trot where Leesbrook killed the ball through their infringements a penalty try was awarded which Blount converted.

Kick off was then given strangely to Leesbrook, But Belper returned into Leesbrook territory. After more forward pressure the platform was set, Blackwell sent a miss pass out to England on the wing who stepped two defenders to ground the ball over the five point line. Blount gracefully converted this difficult kick to make it 17 - 0.

Joe Blackwell had a storming game after returning from ilness and being chucked into the alien scrum half position, however it was not a day for running rugby so when the backs did get the ball they were drawn into a battle where flair and speed would likely be punished. Tennick was tenacious as ever with some solid running and excellent workrate even though carrying a few knocks.

Further pressure in the forwards created a the next try with Watson, Dyer and Matthews punishing the defensive line before creating the platform for the ball to successfully go through the backline to England, who stepped one defender and then passed the ball (backwards) to the oncoming Yorke who crossed for his debut first team try. Leesbrook did not give up the fight and throughout the game they battled on continuously putting their bodies on the line, however Belper played harder and faster to take the game away from them with at times some ease. Had it been a different day with different weather the scoreline would have been higher, however these games are what rugby is about and Belper responded well.

Next week Belper host Amber Valley who are riding high in the league above in the quarter final of the NLD Plate. Kick off at 2.30pm at Strutts Fields, all are welcome to lend their support.