Bonus point win sees Belper extend their lead at the top of Midlands 4

Bonus point win sees Belper extend their lead at the top of Midlands 4.

A superb hat trick from jake Holmes was the highlight of a gritty away performance at Buxton RUFC

Belper travelled to Buxton for the rescheduled match which should have been played a few weeks ago. Belper had to shuffle Their team with several regulars missing. Captain simon carter returned to the starting side as did England at lock and jake Holmes at outside centre. February in Buxton is not normally a great time of year and always a very difficult place to go with their young and talented side. The pitch looked good on first viewing but soon dug up and made footing and scrums difficult. The home side started well showing their intention of playing open rugby and using their pacey centre. Belper handled the early attacks well and started to get a foot hold with some breaks of their own. Buxton had the scrums in the opening half with the Belper back struggling to get their timings right when the ball was eventually put in. The first half was mainly played around halfway with neither team really gaining much territory. After a Belper break they were awarded a penalty within kicking distance. As frank Watson took the kick he lost his footing and the ball hit the defender square in the face. Belper reacted better and from the following ruck sensational hands from naylor, Watson, smith and peverell released Holmes. He still had work to do put out paced the cover tackle to go in close to the corner. Conversation missed. The game resumed to a battle in midfield with the home team having most of the play but never breaking the Belper line. Just before the break Buxton tried a pass to many and Holmes intercepted beating the full back with ease to go under the posts. Conversation scored by Chalkin to make it 0-12 at half time to the league leaders.

Changes at half time saw York come in at lock to shore up the scrum. This worked and Belper didn't go backwards in the half. Again Buxton huffed and puffed but their round the corner play was to predictable and the Belper defence held firm and in most cases made yards diving them back. The hits from Roberts, Haines. Matthews, innocent and Dakin in the pack and Watson and smith from the backs were cancelling out the Buxton threat. They only move they seemed to pull was using their outside centre but again Holmes and smith saw to him. A Belper attack early in the half saw captain carter go over the line. Good position over on the right and driving runs from bacon and mordue put the home side under pressure and created the overlap for carter to score. Conversation missed. Buxton upped the pressure at the breakdown with their cry of "fire" in an attempt to turn over the ruck but Belper held firm. It wasn't long before Belper added the forth try through Holmes. This time he was released by smith with much to do. He beat several Buxton defenders before completing a sensational hat trick. Chalkin added the extras and the game was over as a contest. Buxton hit back with a penalty and never stopped running at the Belper defenders. Belper held firm until 10 minutes from time when good hands saw the Buxton winger go in after they created an overlap. This Buxton side are a talented bunch which shows as they have only lost once in the previous 10 league games. This was an excellent result for Belper as not many teams will get 5 points against them.

It does put get any easier for Belper as next up they are away to east Retford on Saturday 21st feb.

The second team also managed a fantastic league and cup double victory over Buxton. 2 tries from Wayne green saw Belper triumph 10-3. Belper now have both the 1s and 2s in the final of the derbyshire cup at Chesterfield on May 4th.

Anthony England