Match statistics reveal that Keyworth won 91.27% of all scrums and 68.43% of all lineout ball in this league encounter and unlike the encounter at Widmerpool, they made great use of this glut of possession, running in 7 tries.

One may question a game plan that encouraged poor handling and a string of forward passes but when they give you a chance to smash a student scrum once more, who can argue with such tactics? Keyworth were first on the scoresheet, after 9 minutes when Richard Johnson picked up at the base of the scrum and drove the 5m to record the try.

Johnson waited only another 11 minutes to secure his brace when he steered the ball over the line for a pushover try from 7m out. Simon Richards added the first of his 4 conversions. The next 15 minutes saw a number of chances to add to the lead squandered by poor passing and handling by Keyworth players over eager to score. When the usually reliable Richards missed a penalty he’d normally expect to slot it appeared as if was things might start unravel. However, the resultant clearance to touch gave Keyworth the chance to win the lineout and get the ball out to the bullocking Steve Hart to crash over for a fine solo try from 30m out, giving Keyworth a 17 – 0 lead.

Final word of the first half went to the University who scored wide out on the right wing after some fine inter-passing to bring them back to within 12 points. The referee’s whistle then went to spark a tirade of abuse from Stuart Clark toward his players in the half-time motivational huddle. Uncompromising and possibly unfair it might have been, but it worked, as Keyworth soon regained their dominance in the second period, scoring three tries in the next 25 minutes.

A first try for Jack Starr in the first XV was run in from zero yards as he picked the ball from the clutches of Johnno, held up over the line and rolled free to touch down. If he’d have been as fast around the field as he was in the pub, he’d have had an even better game! Shortly after this, a great clearance kick from Richo to deep in the Derby 22 caused chaos and confusion in the Uni defence and a catch and drive from the resultant lineout saw the barrel-shaped Cavan Keiran crash over the whitewash, which Richards duly converted.

Keiran was also involved in the next score when he helped drive young tyro Adam Waldron over the line in an effort to score two tries in a season for the first time since ………………forever, after a quick tapped penalty from 5m out, following good approach work from the lively Nicky Martin and Steve Hart. A Richo conversion gave the visitors a 36 – 5 lead.

Derby were the next to score on 73 minutes when they secured a rare piece of scrummage ball, their classy out-half chipped the ball over the Keyworth defensive line and their inside centre gathered and ran in from 35m when the Keyworth wing and full-back failed to claim the bouncing kick. Their conversion hit the post and from the kick-off the students again found themselves pinned in their own 22. Two minutes later the might Keyworth 8 absolutely creamed the imploding Derby pack, moved the ball wide and after a couple of well defended forays, Tom Muncey sweetly jinked his way over from just a few yards. A brilliant touchline conversion from Simon Richards saw the scores move to 43 – 10.

That should have been all she wrote but the ever- generous Keyworth decided to gift a final try to the home side as their out-half took an interception on the 10m line and outpaced the defence to score under the posts. The exertion however prevented him from slotting what should have been an easy conversion and the ref’s whistle signalled no-side and a very pleasing 43 – 15 league victory.

Man of the Match was the entire Keyworth pack and whatever changes were made in personnel or positions it made absolutely no difference, they still had almost total dominance. Nor indeed did the revolutionary tactic of substituting more than one player at a time.

This excellent win keeps Keyworth on track with their rivals at the top of the table, bringing them to within 4 points of Meden Vale in second. There’s a great spirit in this side which is starting to believe in itself. A few changes in running lines and greater awareness and use of players in supporting positions could improve things even further.