Aldridge RUFC 0 Belper RUFC 24

With fly half Watson missing Jack Smith moved to 10 and Dave Bacon moved to inside centre. Also into the starting side was Tom Powell to Hooker, Bryan O’gorman to wing and Tom Matthews back on the flank.

Having never played this side before it was a step into the unknown and with them going well in the league it was always going to be a difficult game. The first half was more of an arm wrestle than a rugby game with Aldridge being very strong at the scrum and competing well at the break down. Belper flexed their arm with strong runs from Bacon, Sam Hallam-Gray and Craig Innocent but could not kick on and break the home defence. The closest anyone came to scoring was after trademark run from veteran Gareth Dakin was rightly adjudged to be held up over the line. HT 0-0.

The second half saw Belper come out and play more open rugby. Belpers scrums were now solid and it was from the base of this that Mitch Wilmott powered over for the first score after 8 minutes of the half. The encouraged the away side and they stretched the lead after a powerful run from Bacon who beat his defenders to score. 5 minutes later Belper were to score again from a piece of excellent support play. Dakin broke the line running an excellent angle but was too far out to go all the way. He popped off to England who then found Wilmott in space. Peverell supported well and after passing to Hallam-Gray he again was available for the next off load and went over in the corner. With the home side tiring injury’s started to affect the game with the home side repeatedly going down injured. Fortunately the referee played on and it allowed Belper to play the more positive rugby. Off the bench had come Blount, Holmes and Nicholson who all made a positive impact on the game. In the last 10 minutes Jack Smith scored the last of the tries following a good backs move. Stones kicked 2 of the 4 conversions. Belper held on to secure a win and a clean sheet which was typified by a huge hit from Belpers smallest player, Peverell, as he sat his attacker firmly on his backside.

Next up Rolls Royce away. 215pm KO where the winner will take 2nd spot in the league.