North Derbyshire, Saturday 1^st March, Away, Lost 31-17

Royces made the trip up to Chesterfield to play North Derbyshire looking to keep alive their promotion ambitions. Upon arrival it was evident the wind was going to be a factor, unfortunately skipper McLaughlin failed in his attempt to switch the referee’s coin and lost the toss - Royces playing with the wind in the first half.

The team contained two changes from the side that was victorious last time out against Nottinghamians with DFRL returning on the flank and Jon Turner starting on the wing.

Royces started well and drove themselves into the opponents half and were awarded a penalty that McLaughlin converted, 3-0. Dominant in the lineout and holding their own in the scrum Royces quickly scored the first try of the afternoon, DFRL touching down under the posts following a break up the right hand side. Conversion successful, 10-0. A few minutes later Royce again broke well up the right hand side with Paul Hill touching down, however the ref disallowed the try for a forward pass. This seemed to stir North Derbyshire into life and they showed Royces how to play against a strong wind with a series of drives ensuring they stayed in the Royces half. Royces were opting to run the ball rather than kick with the aid of the strong wind. Clearly used to the round as opposed to oval ball the North Derbyshire winger fired off some expletives at the referee to earn himself a ten minute rest (he was not finished yet). A quick tap penalty saw North Derbyshire crash over the line, conversion unsuccessful 10-5. Royces played themselves into the North Derbyshire half and from a lineout midway inside the opponents half the ball was driven to within 5 metres of the line. The ball was sent out to the backs and McLaughlin touched down under the posts, conversion successful 17-5. Royces continued to press for a further score before half time and got to within 5 metres of the line only for poor indiscipline and an exchange of handbags to end the half, with Ben Higgin and a North Derbyshie player sent to the sin bin, half time 17-5.

Royces started the second half knowing what was required playing against the stiff breeze but ended up being totally second best unable to get out their own half, poor first up tackles allowing North Derbyshire to get behind Royces on too many occasions. Over a 30 minute period Royces conceded four tries, 3 converted which left them with an insurmountable task in the final ten minutes. Royces did rally and played the final minutes out in the opponents half, but the result was a fair one. It was the winger who fancied himself as Jeremy Kyle who was to have the last word after the final whistle he let the referee know what he thought of him in his best French, earning himself a red card.

This was a poor performance by Royces who played well beneath the standard they are capable of. There is still plenty to play for this season, remaining unbeaten in the league at home and winning the NLD vase.

Team: Jon Peacock (7), Paul Hill (6), Lawrence Betty (6), Mark Lowe (7), Jon Turner (7), Paul McLaughlin (7), Dave Poole (7), Iwan Ranft (7), Mike Brown (7), Adam King (6), Ben Higgin (6), Andrew Taylor (6), Alex Gill (6), Dan Sanderson (8), Ian Baker (7). Subs: Ady Gregory (Unused), Marco Maseko (6), Warren Greenway (Unused)