ilkeston V Belper

The U16’s had a mixed U16/17 fixture with Belper this week. With illness and model making taking its toll, we still only had 15 players at kick off.
That said, the mixed training showed, and for the first time this season, they looked like a proper side, not a mixed squad at all. Each player played their part in this and it does highlight the approach is working well.
Belper had 24 players, so we knew it was going to be hard, especially in the 2nd half, but they started brightly and the ball moved through the hands like it had been bathed in unicorn milk. The forwards work rate in the first 10 minutes really helped the back line, giving them time to get themselves set up and a first try came on the 10 minute mark through good link play and Alfie Manders swivel hips to go over on the right.
Ilkeston didn’t sit back on their laurels though and their scrummaging was awesome, winning them against the head. Line out was also top draw, with Anthony leaping like a salmon to keep the ball in Ilkeston’s possession.
Having tasted success, they quickly worked out were to attacked and pushed the Belper back line until gaps appeared. A sweet kick and chase had Kieran the prop prove he is indeed ‘rapid’ (he’s been telling us this all season) and good support from Dylan Harris-Joyce gave us our second try.
It became a bit tougher after this and only solid tackling and fast D work kept Belper at bay. They kept plugging away though and Joel Naylor ran like a gazelle for a full 60m to create us 3 try lead.

Belper came back at us in the final 5 of the half though and clawed a try back on the stroke of half time.

With the extra subs Belper had, and a slope that health and safety would have insisted on climbing equipment being using to climb, we enter the second half expecting to be up against it.
While it was hard work, Faz Walters harassed the Belper number 9 to the point of a restraining order being required. This gave us options and didn’t allow Belper enough time or possession to get into a string of phases.
Hard work to a man kept the second half scoreless, but entertaining. special mention to Harry Blount (100% conversion rate) and Ethan Mee who put his body on the line on multiple occasions as last man on the wing.
Ilkeston came out 21-7 winners. Cannot speak highly enough of both teams today. Closer than the scoreline suggested, but solid skills and supreme effort for all 15 Ilkeston lads the victory, against a Belper side that has come on leaps and bounds over previous seasons.
Respect to Alex Ayers who officiated the game, while looking a very pale shade of green.