Derby City completed a “derby” double over the Chargers in a tightly contested and sometimes fiery encounter that saw 2 Derby players sin-binned and Chargers eventually end with 12 men due to injuries.
The game started well for the Chargers with Adam Seredynski going over under the posts, Andy Thorpe adding the conversion. With the game ebbing and flowing and defences on top Derby got back into the game with a try on 18 minutes, not converted. The score at the 20 minute water break was 6-4. Derby started well and scored two more unconverted tries to go 12-6 ahead. Chargers then got in front of the kicker from the kick-off and Derby took advantage with a quick tap and go to expose a hole on the left side Chargers defence and stretch their lead to 18-6. With half time looming Chargers needed a break and got one, when a Derby player was sin binned for getting involved in a scuffle after an alleged off the ball stamping offence by a Derby player. Chargers took advantage just before the break with an unconverted close range try by Jamie Brown.
After the break the Chargers could have drawn closer but a try claimed by Adam Seredynski was ruled out for a knock on just before the line after a great break from the flying winger. He made amends a few minutes later when he scooted over from dummy half to drag the score back to 14-18. Unfortunately for the Chargers they knocked on from the kick off and Derby ruthlessly took advantage with a try that was unconverted. The Chargers stormed back and after a penalty for a high tackle they got back into the game when Seredynski dropped on a smart kick through to complete a hat trick. Chargers were dominating now and they took the lead when a smart switch play saw Sam Parkes crash over and Andy Thorpe kicked the goal to make the score 24-22 at the 60 minute water break.
After the break it looked like the spoils were going to the north of the county when a second Jamie Brown try and a conversion by Thorpe made the score 22-30 but at this stage the Chargers were losing players through injury and a starting group of 18 had been reduced to 12 fit men. Derby took advantage with some smart plays resulting in 3 quickfire tries to take the lead once more.
As the clock ran out tempers were rising and a series of high tackles by both sides led to a flare up with both sides squaring up and a Derby player binned for persistent offending. It was too late for the Chargers to take advantage, although a clever kick by Tom Schofield almost led to a break on the right wing but Derby snuffed out the danger and ran out winners in a second great encounter in the space of 2 weeks.
Despite the defeat the Chargers will contest the Midlands Division 2 final on Saturday 18th August against strong favourites Hope Valley Hawks in another all-Derbyshire encounter. Training continues on Thursday nights at Barlborough Country Park.
Touch Rugby Training is now happening at Barlborough on Wednesday nights at 6.30 All over 14s welcome, the sport caters for male and female participants.
The North Derbyshire Chargers Under 13s team put in a number of very encouraging performances at the Birmingham Festival – winning two matches, drawing two matches and losing one – playing against a number of new opponents.
Great work by Gabe Ward, Sam Dawson, Jacob Teasdale, Brandon Thompson, Ben White, Kai Mohan Ramrattan, Henry Stott and Brendan Morley.
With one more Junior Festival left this season plus the potential of a few friendly fixtures, the team are already building for next year.
