Keyworth Seconds edge home 43 - 34 in a real thriller!

Derby IVs stormed into a 17 point lead after only 14 minutes, scoring 3 excellent tries and looking like a team in total control as thelr strong forwards and free running backs took every opportunity to drive hard at the Keyworth line.

They opened the scoring on 5 minutes when their tight head prop took a neat inside pass to crash over from about 7m. The ensuing conversion was their only one in the match. The lead was extended to 12 points only 5 minutes later when their outside centre weaved his way across the line when the ball was moved wide after an attacking 5m lineout.

Using the conditions to their advantage and showing a willingness to run the ball from all phases, Derby continued their ramapage and it was their fiery hooker who notched the third after a flowing movement from the Keyworth 10m line.

Many other sides would have buckled under this intense pressure and avalanche of early points but this Keyworth team are made of stern stuff and came storming back on twenty minutes when the elusive Jason Holland crossed after picking up a loose ball and beating several players.

Six minutes later, young tyro Adam Waldron bullied his way over from a 5m tap penalty after Derby had infringed at a ruck in front of their posts. Having closed the gap to 3 points, Keyworth then conceded a further try when Derby’s veteran scrum half forced his way over from a 5m scrum to extend the lead to 22 – 14.

Unbelievably, Keyworth then ran in 3 tries in the last 5 minutes of the half to turn round 31 – 22 in the lead, a situation that was unthinkable, twenty minutes earlier. Tom Muncey scored a superb solo try after gathering the ball and outpacing the defence from 60m out. Mark King added his third consecutive conversion and at about this time also realised that he wasn’t refereeing as well as playing and kept quiet from here on in.

The next try was an absolute gem, with Muncey again to the fore. It was Alex Tsang who eventually crossed after he and Muncey swopped perfectly timed and weighted passes on about 5 occasions to completely outmanoeuvre the Derby defenders along the far touchline.

Young Connor Sealy then entered the fray and with his first touch in senior rugby raced 80m down the wing to cross in the corner, showing real pace and determination. That signalled the arrival of the oranges, beautifully sliced by Jill Stimpson.

The second half started a lot less frenetically with both sides trying to reassert their positions and bring some control to the game. There were 15 minutes on the clock before Keyworth extended their lead when No 8 Mark Scott drove over from a 5m scrum which was won against the head.

Five minutes later, Keyworth scored again with a great individual try from Alex Tsang who was fed the ball on the blindside wing after a scrum on the home 22. Tsangy raced almost 80m to score beating several cover defenders, with superb running, jinking and breaking tackles. Sam Tilaks added the extra points and that was the Keyworth scoring completed.

Derby IVs then showed why they play in a league above as they closed the stronger team, crossing for two late tries and bring the score to within nine as their big second row grabbed a brace. Derby battled throughout and must have driven home wondering what went wrong after such a strong start and finish. Their storming captain Norman was nonplussed after the effort that his squad of 18 made and must have asked, how often do you play away from home, score 6 tries and end up losing?

One issue they did face was the size of the Keyworth bench, which at times seemed to contain a cast of thousands! On the plus side, having 23 players available is great for Keyworth and the players all contributed to the team effort.

If storming Norman was Derby’s most valuable player, Keyworth’s Man of the Match could have gone to either one of two outstanding young backs. On balance, on this occasion, it was Tom Muncey who got the nod by a whisker from Alex Tsang. Although he runs like Shergar on steroids, he does manage to eat up the ground and both his passing and tackling are improving with every game.

There were several other cracking performances, with Aaron Browning running well in the loose and still learning about playing at full-back. Ryan White did well, coming on for his first appearance of the season. Ashley Waldron found himself in some positions he’d never played before and coped admirably. Jack Pitchfork and John Scott ruled the lineouts and Mark Hall was omnipotent in the loose. Tom Bradshaw had another good driving game at hooker along with front row partners in crime James Maddock and Adam Sheen. Zander Wiles again did well as he continues his comeback, whilst young Liam Harrison is improving with every outing.

In 3 games this season, Keyworth IIs have scored 21 tries, which is fantastic. However in two of the games they have conceded 6 tries each time. More work is required on defence if they are to do anything like repeating last season’s promotion winning efforts in the Security Plus Pennant league.