A perfect response as Derby take down high-flyers

SCARE BEFORE LAST-GASP TRY SEALS FINE VICTORY

AFTER their thrashing away to Luctonians the previous weekend, Derby swept to a 29-21 Midlands Premier victory over second-placed Newport (Salop) in a thrilling game at Haslams Lane.

It was the best response director of rugby Roxy Fearon could have hoped for following their 55-0 shutout in Herefordshire as they survived a late scare to clinch their fifth league win of the campaign.

Nathan Crow, Luke Willmott and Callum Slater all returned to the side, while George Castledine was on the bench after his injury break. Jake Roome switched to scrum half, with Josh Tizard unwell.

With a strong breeze behind them, Newport had the early territory and possession before taking the lead after 21 minutes. The pressure told with a converted try but that appeared to invigorate Derby and they began to take the game to their opponents.

With eight minutes of the half remaining, a slick backs move saw McGrath Van Wyk cross the line to narrow the lead.

Five minutes later, a similar move brought another Derby score and this time Slater was the player to touch down. A magnificent touchline conversion by Van Wyk put Derby five points clear and the half ended with the home side 12-7 up and in the ascendancy.

With the rain falling throughout the second half, the stage was set for a tight, tense affair.

It was Derby who struck next, seven minutes into the second period, when the ball was moved across the backs from a scrum and then returned towards the forwards.

Sam Tebbs collected it 15 metres out and, with two defenders bearing down on him, he spun out of the tackle and galloped away to score.

Van Wyk converted and Derby were 12 points clear.

Newport were far from finished, however, and responded midway through the half with a converted try.

Derby kept probing and won a penalty deep in Newport territory, which they opted to kick to the corner.

The line-out was won but the attack seemed to be going nowhere. Josh Bingham was clearly of the same opinion and, when the ball came to him, he dropped a goal, putting Derby two scores clear.

With four minutes remaining, Newport seemed sure to score until Ben Marlow stopped them by knocking on. He was shown a yellow card before the referee awarded a penalty try to make it a one-point game.

A man down, Derby were under the cosh but as Newport tried to run the ball from deep, it squirted out of their hands.

George Castledine hacked on, picked up and slid over the line for the bonus point try. Van Wyk added the conversion with the final kick of the game.

The result leaves Derby eighth at the midway point of the season and they travel to Sandbach on Saturday for the final game before Christmas.