Dronfield 2nd XV 75 v Long Eaton 0
Following a heavy defeat at Ilkeston last weekend Dronfield showed tremendous spirit and character in responding with a great performance to cross the whitewash thirteen times and win this fixture convincingly. The home side opened the scoring with a try but Dronfield's dominance at scrums and line outs provided the platform for the side to lead Long Eaton 35-5 at half time. Memorable first half tries included Ken Blake's fine individual kick and chase score - his first for the club and Ryan Wileman's finish in the corner following a 35 metre rolling maul by the Dronfield pack. Dronfield started the second half slowly but in the end had sufficient strength in the forwards and speed and skill in the backs to go on and win the game convincingly. All Dronfield's 20 players, including the 5 replacements, played their part and by the end of the game everyone from 8 through to 15 had scored tries.
There were many strong performances across the park but the Man of the Match was Tim Collings, who is developing into a fine strong and incisive running outside centre. After the final whistle the team went over to watch the end of the 1sts league game against Long Eaton, which shows the positive spirit within the club. Dronfield 2nd XV are away at Newark next saturday for their final Pennant League fixture in what has been a challenging but enjoyable season.
Dronfield 2nd XV 12 East Leake 2nd XV 44
After last week's fine 26 point victory over Castle Donnington it was unfortunate that there were many enforced changes required for this week's home fixture against East Leake. Players returned from retirement to assist the club and four players made their debuts with some playing club rugby for the first time. It soon became apparent that the visitors had the edge in their ability to move the ball wide and be available to support the player in possession. In the first few minutes they led 8-0 with a try and penalty. Dronfield then came close to scoring with centre Nigel Slater 's powerful midfield drive. An overlap, on the blindside, increased East Leake's lead with a try.
Dronfield continued to persevere and Brian Steel was having an impressive debut both in attack and defence. It was fitting that Steel should open Dronfield's scoring finishing off a move involving forwards and backs, by diving over under the posts. Soon after both Keith Elsey and then Martin Flack, were stopped from scoring close to East Leake's try line.
In the second half East Leake continued to find gaps in Dronfield's defence at regular intervals. Midway through the second half with Dronfield reduced to 14 players, Neil Garland was forced to leave the field. Despite this setback Dronfield did not give up and were rewarded with a second try for Brian Steel converted by Adam Pedley on his return from injury. In the final play of the game East Leake scored once more to give them a 44-12 victory.
Dronfield 2nd's must hope for the return of some regular team members if they are to compete with next week's visitors Boston - a team who gained an comfortable victory earlier in the season.
Dronfield 2nd Xv 26 Castle Donnington 2nd XV 0
Dronfield were always in control in this friendly fixture with tries coming at regular intervals in the first half. Every attempt was made to link up with supporting colleagues resulting in some excellent rugby.Dronfield scored first when a penalty try was awarded for Donnington handling of the floor. Ryan Wileman's conversion giving the home side a 7-0 lead. John Kilmartin finished off fine interplay to score and then Tim Collings ran the length of the field for an excellent individual try. Conversions to both tries from Ryan Wileman gave Dronfield a 21-0 half time lead.In the second half Dronfield 's mature pack tired and possession was less frequent. Kilmartin did score once more for the home side to give them a well deserved victory Next week they are at home once more , this time against East Leake.
Worksop 2nd XV 10 Dronfield 2nd XV 8
Dronfield 2nd XV travelled to Worksop for this Pennant League fixture. On a heavy pitch against a much bigger pack, Dronfield started brightly, enjoying the lion's share of both territory and position. However, the visiting team were unable to convert this pressure into points in the first half, squandering easy opportunities to take the lead.
The second half continued in much the same vein, with concerted Dronfield pressure eventually leading to a well worked try for the impressive Chris Sorsby, following more excellent work from the Dronfield pack. A Dronfield penalty from Matt Lowry followed a few minutes later to increase the lead to 8-0, with Dronfield yet to be seriously troubled by the home team.
There then followed a series of bizarre decisions from the referee which led the home team back into the match, with a try awarded to Worksop when neither side had expected it ! .From this point on Dronfield had great difficulty with the official's interpretation of the laws. The try that was given acted to spur on Worksop and with five minutes remaining they crossed the Dronfield line again to take the lead with a pushover try. Dronfield managed to work their way upfield in search of a deserved win, but simply ran out of time.
There were some real positives from this performance for Dronfield, with some excellent support play, solid defence and good lineout work. If Dronfield play as well as this every week they will not be on the losing side very often.Next week they travel to Boston.
Dronfield 2nd XV 10 Matlock 3rd XV 33
Dronfield's opponents in this Security Plus Pennant League fixture at Gosforth Fields were Matlock. Within a minute the visitors took the lead with a successful penalty kick from in front of the posts.As in previous matches Dronfield were struggling to provide a solid platform from their front five in both lineouts and scrum and as a result controlled regular possession was at a premium. This allowed the visitors frequent opportunities to attack and their backline were confident in moving the ball wide. Only excellent covering tackles, firstly from Charlie Truelove and then soon after from Adrian Wileman and John Steade stopped further scores .
However it was only a matter of time before Dronfield's defence was breached with Matlock's influential centre sorry with a midfield break. His own conversion increased the lead to 10-0. Dronfield came close to reducing the deficit soon after. An accurate kick through by Iain McDonald was nearly touched down by Neil Piper moving at pace. Dronfield continued to use the limited ball they had to attack and they were finally rewarded with a score. It came from possession at a five metre scrum and quick thinking from Iain McDonald. He darted through from the base of the scrum to score an unconverted try. There then followed a long period where Dronfield were encamped in Matlock's 22. From a lineout close to the try line Charlie Truelove timed his jump well to provide his forward colleagues with the ball. Only excellent defence from Matlock prevented a series of forward drives from crossing the try line .Against the run of play and as a result poor Dronfield handling ,Matlock scored a breakaway try from their own 22 to lead 17-5 at half time. In the second half, despite having a comfortable lead, Matlock were negative in the use of the ball from penalties awarded. At every opportunity, they elected to kick for goal or touch instead of running with the ball. Their lead was increased by 3 further scores in part due to Dronfield being guilty of giving away well-earned possession with inaccurate kicks ahead. Before the end of the game Dronfield scored an fine try. It involved good play from Andy Short on his return from injury and was finished off in style by debutant James Rose.
Matlock finished the game winners by 33-10- a score that did not due justice to Dronfield's attempts to play positive rugby. Next week Dronfield travel to Worksop for another league match
Dronfield 2nd Xv 12 Notts Casuals 2nd XV 35
Dronfield 2nd XV were at home for this Security Plus Pennant League fixture against Notts Casuals. With many regular 2nd XV players being required to travel with the 1st XV, this was a much changed side representing the club. From the kick-off it was obvious that this was going to be a difficult afternoon for Dronfield, with their opponents showing confidence in all facets of their play .Their well-drilled forwards and fast moving backline causing Dronfield to defend for long periods .Within a few minutes the visitors were ahead with a successful penalty from close range. Throughout the first half Casuals gained possession from almost every line-out and scrum resulting in little opportunity for the home side to attack. The visitors scored at regular intervals with their scrum-half heavily involved in decision making. Only twice in the first half were Dronfield able to put their opponents under pressure. On the first occasion Steve Lyons and Myles Butler, on his return to the club, combined well in midfield, but possession was lost within Casuals'22.Then, just before half-time, Adrian Wileman finally scored Dronfield's first try after good work from John Steade . Adam Pedley's conversion making the score 20-7 at the interval.
In the second half Dronfield came more into the game with the introduction of Dave Poole providing much needed increased aggression to the pack. Unfortunately Casuals continued to find gaps and overlaps with excellent support play resulting in three further tries. Dronfield, to their credit, continued to show spirit and their endeavours were finally rewarded with Myles Butler scoring an unconverted try.
Next week Dronfield 2nd XV are at home again, with another difficult fixture- their opponents being Matlock
Keyworth 2nd XV 8 Dronfield 2nd XV 15
After last week's excellent league victory Dronfield 2nd XV travelled down to Keyworth for this Pennant Plus League fixture confident of maintaining their recent good form.What was always going to be a tough match did not start well for Dronfield, who were 5-0 down after ten minutes when weak tackling allowed the home side's number 8 to score the first try of the game. Dronfield weathered the early storm and began to play some controlled possession rugby. As the first half progressed the Dronfield pack began to dominate, with New Zealander Matt Green winning a steady stream of good line-out ball. Fine work from the Dronfield forwards, with Neil Garland and captain Paul Bedwell leading the way, saw Matt Lowry finish off an excellent drive to score a well deserved try for the away team. His fourth try in consecutive matches. The Dronfield pack repeated the trick a few minutes later with a well controlled drive from the lineout resulting in a debut try for the impressive Nick Barker. A touch-line conversion from full-back Adam Pedley further added to Dronfield's tally. Keyworth responded with a penalty late in the half to leave the match finely balanced at 8-12 at half time.
The second half started in much the same way with a controlled and disciplined mix of accurate kicking and forward muscle keeping the away side on top. A well struck penalty from Adam Pedley extended Dronfield's lead to 8-15, with the home side needing a converted try to draw level. As the second half wore on Dronfield were increasingly reliant upon their excellent defence, with Paul Collings and Jonny Howard typifying the team's resilience. Keyworth were unable to breach the resolute Dronfield defence and the match ended in a memorable Dronfield victory, 8-15.
This was a controlled and determined display by Dronfield, based upon an excellent performance from the Dronfield pack. It was fitting that prop Neil Garland was awarded man of the match. Next week the Seconds are at home with a league fixture against Notts Casuals.
Dronfield 2nd XV 35 East Retford 2nd XV 12
Dronfield soon found themselves on top in this Security Plus Pennant league fixture but were forced to re-organise early in the game when Nathan Barber was forced to leave the field with an eye injury. Dronfield were still able to maintain their momentum and were rewarded with a try from captain Paul Bedwell converted by Bob Backhouse. Dronfield continued to dominate and two Backhouse penalties increased their lead.Charlie Truelove was heavily involved in gaining clean possession. It was Tim Bertram who scored next for the home side.A Backhouse conversion giving Dronfield a 18-0 lead. Just before half time East Retford found space in midfield to score an unconverted try. The second half followed a similar pattern with Dronfield controlling both scrum and lineout.A move involving fine support play was finished off by Simon Proctor and then a fine individualistic try from Matt Lowry increased the lead. Paul Collins was having a fine game in the centre with excellent tackling. Although the visitors scored once more it was it was fitting that Bob Backhouse finished of a excellent performance with the final try to give Dronfield a comfortable 35-12 victory.
Dronfield 2nd XV 14 Newark 3rd XV 52
Dronfield 2nd XV entertained Newark at Gosforth Fields in the Security Pennant League. With Newark's early season form it was anticipated that this match would be a stern test for Dronfield especially as they were forced to make many changes due to 1st team call ups, injuries and unavailability. Dronfield started facing the strong wind and playing against the slope. It soon became obvious that the Newark backs were well drilled and had the ability to exert pressure on Dronfield's defence. A series of missed tackles and inexperienced marking led to the visitors building up a comfortable lead with six first half tries. Dronfield's only reply came from a Matt Lowry try converted by Bob Backhouse. Quick thinking by Dave Tankard had created the platform for this score.
In the second half Dronfield proved more of a match for their opponents. Tim Bertram providing Dronfield with good line- out ball .A move along the backs resulted in a Dronfield try with Bob Backhouse scoring and converting a try. Unfortunately in the last period of the game gaps appeared on Dronfield defence and Newark scored two more converted tries to gain a convincing victory. Next week Dronfield 2ndXV travel to Mansfield .
Ashby 2nd XV 47 Dronfield 2nd XV 12
Dronfield travelled to Ashby with a team that combined youth and experience, but soon found themselves behind to a well-drilled Ashby team. Dronfield's slow start gave confidence to the home team and by half time the score was already 27-0 with both Ashby's back and forwards playing with confidence.
A stern half-time teamtalk galvanised Dronfield, who started the second half in a much more positive manner, putting the home side under real pressure. Good work from Dronfield's experienced pack was finished off by Matt Lowry for Dronfield's first try. Dronfield continued to dominate for long periods of the second half, although as they chased the game gaps began to appear in their defence that the home side took advantage off. Dronfield's second try was a solo effort from the lively Chris Sorsby, playing at fly-half, who showed great pace and vision to score under the posts. The try was converted by Bob Backhouse.
Dronfield can take credit for their second half performance against a very well organised team - the less said about the first half the better.Next week Dronfield 2nd XV are at home in the Pennant League, their opposition being Newark 3rd XV
Dronfield 2nd XV 17 Ollerton 2nd XV 9
Dronfield started the match brightly and were soon on the scoresheet. A well worked move by the home team's lively backs was finished off by centre Steve Lyons. The try was converted by Bob Backhouse to give Dronfield a 7-0 lead. Despite this excellent start Dronfield were unable to convert their dominance into points, with penalties traded to leave the half-time score 10-3. As the match wore on Dronfield never looked in danger of losing, with their solid defence only being breached by two further penalty kicks. Dronfield's second try came again from the backs, with half-time substitute James Karageorgiou setting up Steve Lyons for his second of the match. This try was again converted by Bob Backhouse.
This was a good all round performance from Dronfield, with the hardworking forwards led by Dave Poole and Neil Garland laying the foundations for the backs to build upon. Next week the 2nd XV travel away to Leesbrook near Derby and will be hoping for a similar performance.
