After losing midweek in a friendly against the University 3rds, Derwent returned to winning ways by running eight tries past a luckless Halifax side, who had been solid and resolute in patches against one of college rugby’s prime title-contenders.
Sunday’s one-sided affair was characteristic of Derwent’s current form in the college league, having defeated each of their opposition convincingly since the league commenced in October. Halifax, significantly, did not play midweek, and had not trained recently due to the forbidding weather; perhaps offering a reason as to such a heavy loss.
Derwent did not waste any time in exerting pressure on Halifax, running the ball up intelligently and flustering the ‘Fax defence. A few plays in, and Derwent were rewarded a lineout just outside the Halifax 5. Some great lineout organisation from Derwent second-row, Luca Illing, resulted in Derwent’s first try of the game; a forward-powered drive ball executed perfectly allowed strapping fresher Thomas Brent easy access over Halifax’s try-line.
Moments after Derwent first drew blood, an almost identical phase of play culminated in a second Derwent try, this time scrum-half Cameron Strange cruising over to make the score 12-0 with conversion.
Derwent back Phil Hammick – one of the side’s more prolific try-scorers – crossed the line once more before the half time whistle, adding 5 more points to what currently appeared a fairly unbalanced contest.
In spite of the score line, Halifax were in fact exceptionally well structured when defending in the first half, and persevered well to prevent Derwent from scoring more than they did. Halifax hooker Jonny Coates put in a stellar performance, interrupting Derwent’s ruck-play and often spoiling Derwent ball and pilfering possession.
The second-half looked progressively bleaker and bleaker for Halifax, however, and Derwent proceeded to dominate: a spate of back-engineered tries, organised by bewhiskered Derwent 10, Brayden Ridgeway, who’s been in blistering form this season.
Try scorers included Alex Sankey, Kristian Elgheim, and Ridgeway himself – all players who have not been shy of crossing their opposition’s try-line.
Halifax did effect several promising breaks during this latter half; powerful runners such as Alex Ulyet slipping through the ordinarily impenetrable Derwent backline only to be usually stopped by a wary Edward Kemp, Derwent’s invaluable fullback.
Herculean Chris Judge, Derwent captain and prop, was soon to stamp his own authority on the game, muscling his way through the impotent Halifax players in his way. Judge added his second in the last play of the game, right after a last-ditch Halifax surge, lead by captain and scrum-half Andy Cox, that saw Derwent defend their line staunchly into the dying minutes of the match.
Halifax’s aforesaid captain Cox commented after the game, “The first 20 minutes were good for us. We were well structured and disciplined. The second-half got away from us, but we definitely have a good platform to build upon.”
Derwent’s Judge similarly remarked, “Today was a good opportunity to pick ourselves up from our defeat on Wednesday. I was pleased with the pod work and forward play. The backs also used the space well, and it was great to see new players come into their own on the field.”
Derwent face James College on Saturday; a match that should be of monumental proportions, the teams having not played each other this college season and having both disposed of their opponents with flamboyant ease.
Derwent will get their comeuppance when they meet the mighty Old Boys in two weeks! The undefeated men of old are the only ones who can stop these thrusting young College Rugby guns. Hurrrnngghhh.
We will see just how good this team is when they play a proper team on the 16th. After a win last year the Old Fellas are looking to go back to back!
Like last season it seems that Derwent’s skills on the field are only matched by the eloquence of young Josh’s reporting! All good stuff – keep it up!