An end to end game.

A great game for the neutral, nail biting for the coaches with the lead changing hands throughout the first half.

With AJ promoted to the 1st late on, it was down to Gareth Bartsch (wearing the number 2 shirt) to lead the side out at a damp Kelham road. With one or two unavailability’s and late cry off's the backline hadn't been fully finalised until half an hour before KO, with the justifiable decision to bring Brian Loftus up from the 3's being made.

We started well with keeping Ilkeston pinned back in there own half for the first 10-15 minutes but unfortunately spilling the ball or giving away penalties at the key times. We finally crossed over the line after pressurising the Ilkeston's scrum, the ball going through the forwards for Richard Primett to finish it off, Rhys Overland adding the 2 points.

The game then swung the other way with Ilkeston putting our line under a great deal of pressure. Our pack held firm, turning the ball over and over again but unfortunately we couldn't clear our lines. With a lineout catch and drive, feeding the backline, Ilkeston went over under the posts, with a little hint of crossing, with the conversion added 7 points each.

With 3 points added from the boot of Rhys Overland a few minutes later we edged the lead 10-7.

From the re-start Ilkeston once again put us under a lot of pressure eventually resulting in their pack scoring from a rolling maul 10-14.

Toby Edlin should have scored a very well worked backline move running half the pitch to touch down under the post but for the Ref to award Ilkeston a penalty for obstruction off the ball which seemed only to be seen by the Ref!

With the half time fast approaching the 2nd team try machine, aka Sam Sibilski once again struck! The pack again dominating the set piece, fast hands putting Sam in the corner 15-14. But once again Ilkeston came back with a try from the exact same move as their first try, the same little hint of crossing, 15-19 at half time.

The second half both sides came out with all guns blazing with end to end rugby, with our pack getting the upper hand. Eventually we were rewarded for our persistent pressure a penalty which Rhys slotted over 18-19.

Once again up stepped Sam Sibilski with a very strong run through the pack of Ilkeston after a nice little break from Tom Bridges, scoring under the posts with Rhys Overland converting 25-19.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, Richard Primett came off and was replaced with Paddy Robinson who went onto the back row with Ryan moving up into the second row. Much of the next 15-20 minutes the game was played in the middle of the pitch with both sides not wanting to give anything away. We eventually moved up into Ilkeston's 22 and again Sam Sibilski crashed over following some great hands from the backline 30-19.

With 5 minutes to go we really sat back a little and with the very last play of the game we let them score a try in the corner from again a lineout catch and drive.

Final score 30-24.

A great result with 1 to 15 playing their part especially the lads playing out of position. Also Nick Samuels at 3 propping against a old head and holding his own very well.

Simon Glass