However, there was only ever one side in the game and Grimsby were also the only team to even look like wanting to play rugby. A vociferous home crowd were keen for action of any sort, except rugby.

They were silenced early on as despite the almost zero preparation time for the game, the Blues started fast. Phase after phase was put together with impressive runs from prop Jason Stead, lock Simon Weller and blindside Matt Vincent.

After a series of fast rucks, scrum-half Ash Watson popped the ball up to openside Rory Rendall-Tyrell, who made impressive yardage before the defence reined him in.

The following ruck saw Watson fire out a pass to fly-half Ben Pharaoh. He played a dummy and passed to centre and player-coach Ian Midgely to crash over and score the first of his brace. Full back Luke Chaplin added the extras.

Grimsby could feel the game coming to them but were shackled by what, at best, could be described as bizarre refereeing decisions. This simply wouldn't allow the Blues to play their expansive style of play and anything that looked like an impressive flowing move was called back.

Chris Burke again reigned supreme in the line-out and hooker Greg Robson constantly found his target. The hard yards in the loose were taken up by returning number eight Mark Burke and captain Neil Corry was his usual uncompromising self in the loose.

The home side hit back with an unconverted try from a rolling maul in their only visit into the Grimsby 22. The visitors realised that they were up against it, with the crowd very much on the side of the Amber Valley players.

Time and again the Blues put together flowing move after flowing move and from one such phase, inside the second half, scored their winning try.

Watson fed Pharaoh and he placed a well-timed pass into the path of Midgely, aided by the excellent dummy run of centre colleague Jonno Norman. Midgely then burst through the tackles of four defenders and scored his second. Chaplin added the conversion.

The home side hit back with another rolling maul and penalty to somehow leave the difference of a point between the two sides.

Grimsby continued to attack the home line, and replacement winger Lewis Newson and replacement back-row Jim Livemore both went close on several occasions.

Centre Midgely kept making in-roads and the wise old head of Pharaoh kept the home side pinned into their own 22 with searching and probing kicks.

Amber Valley never really threatened the Blues line through attacks out wide and these were all snuffed out in impressive defensive displays from wingers Pip Dann and Douglas Clough.

Grimsby will take many positives from this game. Despite the late arrival, preparation time and difficult circumstances they attempted all of the rugby during the game and came away with the well deserved league points.

This Saturday, Grimsby face high-flying Ashbourne at Springfield Road. Everyone welcome.
Thanks to Saturdays match sponsors: WRMH www.wrmh.co.uk