Derby pay price for slow start in loss to leaders
DERBY began 2022 with their first away loss of this Midlands One East campaign, beaten 42-22 by leaders Bedford Athletic.
The visitors rallied to produce a strong second-half display, in which they scored a bonus point try to lift them back up to second in the table.
But they had too much to do after trailing 35-10 at the break.
“I think some of them were still celebrating Christmas at the start!” said Derby head coach Mark Bradley.
“We were very slow to react to anything to begin with. There were individual errors, while Bedford were just that bit quicker and sharper in the first 40 minutes.
“We won the second half but there was too much to catch up. You can’t give up 30 points or so like that and expect to win the game, especially against the team at the top that has only lost one game so far this season.
“But the way we reacted in the second half was pleasing and we scored some good tries, managing to get that bonus point as well.
“There have not been many games where we haven’t picked up a bonus point and that is what has helped keep us so high in the table.”
Bedford kicked off and took the lead after only two minutes as prop Ryan Taylor crossed and Leo Mortimer converted. Mortimer’s kicking was superb all day.
Derby hit back six minutes later when Josh Tizard and Jack Bates combined well to send winger Harry Bigland away to score an unconverted try.
But Bigland did not last much longer, as he was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder, replaced by Patrick Burke.
“Harry started the season but then popped his shoulder and was out,” Bradley added. “He’s come back in, scored a great try and then he’s popped the same shoulder again, which is really unfortunate.
“I feel sorry for him because he has worked so hard to get back, doing well in the twos and getting his chance to shine. He scored a great try and then two minutes later he’s injured again.”
Mortimer kicked two penalties for Bedford to extend their lead before
Derby scored again in the 16th minute. Josh Bingham chipped the ball through the advancing Bedford defence and Burke touched down for another unconverted score.
The remainder of the half was dominated by Bedford. Ben Thompson, Harry Sawford-Smith and Stephen Woodhead all scored tries and Mortimer converted twice.
Mortimer kicked another penalty to complete the first-half scoring and give Bedford a 35-10 half-time lead.
Derby were staring at the possibility of a big defeat at that stage but, to their credit, they started the second half full of energy and on the front foot.
They were twice held up over the Bedford try line before the pressure finally told in the 55th minute.
After all the good play by the visitors the try was a bit fortunate, but credit to Bates for following up and touching down a loose ball over the Bedford try line.
Bedford hit back with a spell of pressure which Derby did well to resist.
The visitors finally escaped their own half and put Bedford under pressure again, being awarded a penalty try in the 70th minute to claim a bonus point.
Derby had hopes of scoring again and adding a losing bonus point but instead Bedford closed the game with a Thompson try, converted by Mortimer.