WINTER ARRIVES AS RUGBY PLAYERS DONT FLINCH

TUPTON RUFC 36 ROLLS ROYCE RFC 12

MIDLANDS 4 EAST [N] WEST AT NORTH SIDE

27 NOVEMBER 2021 --- 2.15PM

TUPTON V ROLLS ROYCE WITH THE DERBY SIDE ON THE ATTACK

On a bitterly cold afternoon Tupton put on a solid display that saw them defend resolutely in the first half and power on to a comfortable points success in the second and in so doing produce a victory that secures them a mid table slot in the division.

The yearly trip to the rugby probably came a bit early this season but thankfully on this wintery weekend Tupton had a fixture against their Derby based opponents.  The snow had deposited a fair covering in the early hours of Saturday morning, although most of it had disappeared by kick off and alongside a drop in temperatures was a strong wind that brought back cold hands on the camera that I had not felt for a while, sadly as I shivered my way through the afternoon my action shots were not up to a great standard.

As on normal visits to the rugby I drop into stereotypes for the game but after watching this afternoons proceedings in the wet, cold and wind these lads really are a different breed compared to their football counterparts who just wouldn't have fancied it.

There was a precautionary inspection at noon although I think this may have been to check the pumps for the beer had not frozen rather than the state of the pitch.

LATE STAGES OF THE GAME ILLUMINATED WITH CLUBHOUSE OVERLOOKING

Tupton RUFC as regular readers know have developed superbly over the recent years with of course its excellent clubhouse and community connections backed up by its annual bonfire night with fireworks display.  The club under the guidance of Bob Curry who it was nice to have a brief chat to have seen him given the proud honour of being awarded the current Derbyshire RFU Presidency.  The day would also be the annual day for the clubs sponsors and vice presidents and surprisingly this normally falls on the day of my visit as well.

HIGH ENERGY FROM THESE LADS NO SOLAR PANELS NEEDED

[Apologies here for no names the club have a good Facebook page which normally updates match facts but sadly this time these were not available so it has to be a brief match overview]

Finding a hedge behind the A61 end sticks for some protections, although by twenty minutes in I was clearly not going to locate the feelings of my fingers for a couple of hours, was clearly a priority.  With Tupton defending the railway end and the strong wind favouring Rolls Royce it did look like the home side, with nine regulars out injured, would from early showings been made to work hard.  Indeed that's how it turned out with 95% of the half seeing the home side providing a solid and admirable effort all round to deny Rolls Royce.

Surprisingly they took the lead and with the conversion led 7-0 before the visitors notched up a try to trail by two at half time, this had been some effort by the home side.

FIRST TRY FOR TUPTON OPENS THE MATCH SCORING

After a brief interval everybody was grateful to get the game back under way and amazingly it was Rolls Royce who scored the first try of the half and with the kick maximum points were achieved.  This seemed to galvanise Tupton who went over to level the scores after this there was no looking back as they dominated the proceedings four more tries of which two were converted.

STANDARD RUGBY SCRUM SHOT AS TUPTON PUT IN

The second period had seen no let up in the wind and chill factor for the hardy fifty or so spectators who took up an external position to the clubhouse how many had stopped inside I know.  There was a first chance for me to see the training lights, that run down the clubhouse side, on for a game.  As regulars will know I'm not a regular at rugby union but this was a sterling effort from both sides in the conditions which were a credit to rugby union and at a club that has developed superbly at the heart of its community.  Hopefully I can return again soon to enjoy some more of this sporting commitment but with some slightly warmer weather.

CLOSE IN ACTION AS SEAGULL GETS IN ON THE ACT

Tupton first fifteen next return home on 18 December for the big local derby versus Chesterfield Panthers get the kitchen and bar well stocked now.

TUPTON CLOSE TO THE LINE