Tuesday 21st January 2014
pics courtesy and © Michael Poole

Chesterfield Panthers 1st XV 7 - 3 Tupton RUFC 1st XV
Midlands 4 East (North) League
Saturday 18th January 2014

Chesterfield Panthers were on the hunt for a double against their local rivals Tupton on Saturday, to further increase their lead at the top of the table.



Emotions were running high at Chesterfield as they started to come to terms with their current standing in the league - and the hurdles in front of them to remain in first place.

A nervy start to the game tested the home side's defensive resolve early on as the visitors dominated possession as a result of penalties going in their favour at the scrum. Chesterfield should have led with a kick at goal going wide of the post after 10 minutes, which could have settled the tension, but this only added to the stressed atmosphere.

A stop-start game, led by penalties on both sides, continued to disrupt the flow of the match and neither team could exert their domination. Chesterfield was awarded another penalty close to Tupton's line and opted for the three points, which, to Tupton's delight, was missed.

Spurred on by this, Tupton made their way up the field and laid siege to the Panthers' line, but were repelled by the ferocious defence of Chesterfield. However, a penalty was awarded to Tupton who slotted the kick home to make it 0-3 to the visitors.

0-3

Chesterfield harboured slim hopes of gaining the lead as the ball hardly touched the hands of the backs.

With a tough forwards battle tussling for the upper hand, Tupton managed to secure themselves a dangerous position on the Chesterfield 22 metre line.

With open play, they shipped the ball to the wing who ran in for the line, but an outstanding covering tackle by Tom Rice, for which he was awarded Man of the Match, spoilt Tupton's chance to extend their lead as the winger touched the line before getting the ball down over the line.

Panthers took full advantage of the half-time break with stern words from head coach Derek Sherlock (below) rained down.


Forwards Coach Derrick Sherlock dishes out some wise words to the huddle

Whatever was said worked and Chesterfield hit back right after the break with strong running from Luke Holt and Robert Davison orchestrating the forward drive, which was lacking in the first half. 

Fly-half Ali Sherlock began to play the backs into the game with direct runs from 'Bjorn' Ward and Robert Collins breaking the gain line.

Tupton was unable to hold off the continued barrage of attack, awarding Chesterfield penalties allowing them to pin them in their 22. 

You could sense the home side was starting to get the upper hand in the game but still behind. Another missed penalty at goal kept the score at 0-3.

Now in a dangerous scoring position, Chesterfield needed to be clinical, so when awarded another penalty, from repeat Tupton offences, Chesterfield decided to kick to the corner.



Alex Allen took a pinpoint throw by hooker Rob Davison to set up a driving maul. All in sync, the forwards marched towards the line allowing Paul Jones to go over to put Chesterfield in the lead, Ali Sherlock on kicking duties, hit the post but the ball went over the cross bar to make it 7 - 3 to Chesterfield.



7-3

As the game started to draw to a close, Tupton tried to counter-attack on a few occasions only to be shut out by Chesterfield's defence.

As the final whistle blew, Chesterfield Panthers were glad to get the win and remain on top of the league.

FT: 7-3

Tries: Paul Jones
Conversions: Ali Sherlock

Man of the Match: Tom Rice

PANTHERS:
Paul Jones, Rob Davison,  Joe Walton, Alex Allen, Will Stride,
Andy Hughes, Tom Rice, Luke Holt, Steven Avenier (c), Ali Sherlock,
Jonny Ryan, Chris 'Bjorn' Ward, Benjamin Button, Glenn Grayson
Subs: Jordan Grayson, Tye Rose, terry titley, Alex Hughes, Chris Windle

NEXT GAME:
Saturday, 25th January 2014
Chesterfield Panthers away at Amber Valley
Kick-off: 2.15 pm

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