Although Dronfield had much of the possession they quickly found themselves behind. Whether it was nerves or lapses in concentration, but Sleaford were quickly 14 points the better by the 10 minute mark. Dronfield were undeterred and continued to push forward, a crafty kick from Nat Warburton almost lead to try had the Sleaford fullback not got a hand to it. Dronfield continued to apply the pressure working their way up the field, phase after phase eventually quick ball from George Thompson and Harry Lyon allowed Nat Warburton to find the smallest of holes in the Sleaford defence and score Dronfield’s first try under the posts. Harry easily made the extra points. Sleaford charged forward at the restart but Dronfield defended well just managing to keep them out of the 22 and shepherding the ball into touch.
Half-time Dronfield 7 Sleaford 14
Dronfield had woken up now and were ready to play but it was a big ask not only were they 7 points adrift they were playing up hill with the sun in their eyes. Great skills from Lewis Toseland, Joe Sweeney and Jake Allen ended a meter from the try line as the cut through the Sleaford defence with the skill of a surgeon. Good scrummaging and Dronfield were off again quick ball out to Jay Greensill and but for a foot in-touch Dronfield would have been level. Again Dronfield hammered the Sleaford defence inching ever closer to the try line patiently going through the phases. Eventually Will Backhouse throw himself over the line and Dronfield had a chance to go all square. Thankfully Harry had his kicking boots on, 14 all. Dronfield had the bit between their teeth and charged straight back at them. Then came Reagan Spiers moment of magic with the grace of a steam train, Reagan charged the line the shortest most direct route possible. Sleaford’s defence was hurled into the air and the carnage left in his wake was awesome, now all that stood between him the try line was the Sleaford full back, but all the laws of physics were on Reagan’s side and although he may have slowed him he would never stop him. Reagan dropped over the line directly under the posts. It was a try that will almost certainly go down in NLD history. Harry had no problem with the extras. An excellent run from Olly Patu from the back of the scrum set Will Backhouse up for his second try of the day. Harry again made the extras. Sleaford wouldn't lay down and die they took the game back Dronfield, back and forth the ball travelled the boys from Derbyshire obviously frantic to keep their 14 point cushion. Sleaford’s patience paid off a wonderful line by their number 15 gave a 4 onto 1 advantage and a simple try in the corner for the number 12. An excellent kick from a meter short of the touch-line and Sleaford were within a converted try of drawing. Fortunately time was on Dronfield’s side a great tackle from Ethan Woodhead and Dronfield regained possession and was left for Olly to bundle it into touch. Game Over.
FT 28-21
Team: 1 Reagan Spiers 2 Ben Gibbons 3 Ben Holmes 4 George Lamb 5 Leon Phillips 6 Nathan Warburton 7 Finlay Osborne-Waller 8 Olly Patu 9 Harry Lyon 10 William Rose 11 Jacob Greensill 12 Joe Sweeney 13 Jake Allen 14 Jack Longden 15 Lewis Toseland Replacement: 16 Ethan Woodhead 17 William Backhouse 18 George Thompson 19 Harley Berry 20 Charlie Dunning