Wait finally over as Derby get started
ONE week later than scheduled, Derby begin their Midlands One East campaign tomorrow.
And that means a return to league action for the first time since March 14, 2020 after being sidelined during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Since then, there has been a change at the top as Mark Bradley has returned for a second spell as head coach, with Roxy Fearon stepping down to be part of the support coaching team.
There were two pre-season games – losing 26-24 against Sheffield, and a 10-7 defeat against Burton – before last weekend’s planned opener at home against Rugby Lions was postponed because the visitors couldn’t raise a team.
So Bradley’s men begin on the road tomorrow, away against Towcestrians, who lost 29-7 at Belgrave last Saturday and were crushed 67-7 by Derby the last time the two teams met.
“The extra week was helpful in a way as it gave us extra time to prepare,” said Bradley.
“But the players are at that stage where they just want to play.
“It’s almost 18 months now roughly since the last league game, and they’re just itching to play. They want to get out there and do what they have been doing all the pre-season work in preparation for.
“We’re confident but it is early doors. I think this year the league is going to be up and down because of covid, you can soon have a few players out of teams and then they’re weakened.
“Most clubs are struggling getting numbers back in at the moment and we’re not as strong as we normally are.
“But just like everybody else we have got to get on with it, put our best sides out each week.
“We have trained well this week and we will go out and give it a good go.”
Full-back Andy Brown was named 1st XV captain for this season but will miss the opening game ater suffering a shoulder injury in the preseason friendly against Burton.
And there will be a long-awaited debut at fly-half.
“Jack Partington is set to make his debut at 10,” Bradley added.
“He came across from Ilkeston back in the first lockdown and he has been waiting ever since for his first game. It seems like he has been here for years but he has not played!
“We’ll miss Andy who is still injured from the Burton game, he’s probably a couple of weeks away. Patrick Burke will come in for him.
“It’s hard on Andy but it’s a positive for somebody else.
“It’s the strongest line-up we have got so it’s about going out and getting that first win.”