Sat 26 Sep 2026
DERBY 48 PAVIORS 31
Under a bright sun, the new season got started with the visit of Paviors to Haslams Lane. Families were able to enjoy Bouncy Castles and ice cream, while players enjoyed a dry pitch. Things got off to a fast start but Paviors suffered a serious set back after only two minutes, when their scrum half, Jack Stanford, had to leave the pitch with a shoulder injury. However, hooker and captain, Owen Taylor, sprinted through for an unconverted try in the corner. Nine minutes later, Lewis Hancock kicked a penalty. This motivated the Derby team and set the stage for them to up their game.
In general Derby produced a fitter performance with good support play and rapid passing. They also competed well at the battles of the breakdowns. That support enabled Jim Wigglesworth to exploit a gap and charge through for an unconverted try. In the ascendancy, Derby used the ball well and Ollie Horton brushed aside a couple of tackles to score a try converted by Lewis Hancock, opening up a ten points lead. It was then that Jake Roome and Ryan Milton diplayed great endeavour to keep the ball alive. Sam Tebbs took an inside pass and there was no stopping him from scoring. Hancock converted and Derby looked more confident. Back from retirement, Jake Roome brought a stability to the backs with his hard running and defensive tackling. Winning a lineout, Paviors pushed at Derby with a driving maul and No. 8, Phil Eggleston, broke for a try. However, in added time Dan Stokes showed some speed in scoring a try converted by, George Billam, to make the half time score Derby 22 Paviors 17.
Four minutes after the restart, Wigglesworth showed power and pace in racing through for his second try converted by Hancock. Some very good passing enabled Paviors fullback, Ollie Anderson, to score a try converted by George Billam reducing the gap to five points. With the scrappy lineouts, Jeri Oldfield usually reacted quickest to secure possession. On the half hour, Sam Tebbs crossed the gain line and passed to Jim Wiggleworth, who accelerated through for his hat trick of tries. Minutes later Ryan Cokayne received a perfect pass from Sam Tebbs and he touched down near the posts, making it easier for Lewis Hancock to convert. Once again Sam Tebbs crossed the line and selflessly passed to the supporting player Ossie Massie, making his debut with a try under the posts. Hancock duly converted to put the score out of reach. To their credit, Paviors continued to push for a score and their efforts were rewarded when Doug Billam scored and his brother converted
It is away to Stoke next Saturday. Derby could do with your support.
Gerry Sherry
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