Belper RUFC 26 Tupton RUFC 10

Changes to the side saw Jim Lowden come in at 10 with Craig Innocent moving back in to his preferred position of 8. Back into the centres was Jake Holmes. It was the away side that started brighter and opened the scoring following a break in the middle of the pitch. This break led to their winger going in, nearly making a hash of It but managed to touch down. With the kick missed Belper started to ease into the game. Belper dominated possession and territory but it took until late in the half before they drew level. A well worked try led to Rory Peverell going in with ease in the corner. Belper should have scored earlier through breaks from Jake Holmes but with the ball not going to hands the chance had gone. Belper turned down kickable penalties to try and finish the season with try’s. The line outs were looking good and the scrums were also tight affair with both sides having moments. The half continued to be an arm wrestle finishing 5-5.

The second half was more like it from Belper as they pushed to get the win and implement their game plan. The second try from Belper came from a lovely move. From a scrum they worked the ball right with yards being made from Smith, then Powell and finally England who set up quick ball for Naylor to fire it out to Watson. Great hands and support from Captain Carter saw him go over near the posts. It was Belpers game now and soon after this the game was safe when again good hands from the backs saw Tom Stones score in the corner. The bonus point and win was confirmed when Jake Holmes danced around his opposite number to score under the posts.

In the dying seconds Tupton managed to get a consolation try but it didn’t affect the celebrations after the game. An excellent league campaign came to an end with them being crowned champions and still have 2 cup finals to look forward to. The 1st is the NLD final at Lincoln on Saturday 25th April and the next on Monday 4th May at Chesterfield in the Derbyshire cup.