TUPTON REMAIN FOURTH AFTER DETERMINED WIN

TUPTON RUFC 24 AMBER VALLEY RUFC 5

COUNTIES 3 EAST [N] WEST AT NORTH SIDE

29 OCTOBER 2022 --- 3PM

AN AFTERNOON OF DETERMINATION IN TUPTON V AMBER VALLEY

A determined performance from fourth placed Tupton was required to despatch visitors Amber Valley after the scores were level at half time it would take a solid showing in the second forty to over come a resolute effort from the visitors.

It was the wettest of mornings and a day that had not really got out of its darkness yet and once again my go to in these conditions saw a trip through the village to The Rec down North Side for a Tupton RUFC fixture.  I promise to visit on a bright and clear day to get some better pictures but bear with me although there was brief glimpses of a patch of blue sky the afternoon became increasingly dark and of very poor light, that's my excuses in.  As ever at Union I don't search out the teams to shirt number so apologies for hardly any name checks.  While mentioning names thanks to Bob Curry from the club for as ever getting back to me to confirm the fixture was on

SECOND MINUTE TRY FOR TUPTON AS THIS SOMEHOW GOES OVER

The 'walk and a match' series continues but todays would be about ten minutes worth not the massive ones of the last few weeks in terms of mileage and time.  

On past visits to watch a match I have commented on the great feel around the club and the excellent clubhouse but it is worth noting their efforts for the local community not only providing sporting facilities for all ages of rugby and mid week cricket in the summer bit its charitable efforts.  Last season the club raised over £31,000 for the allotted good causes this season they have selected The Air Ambulance and Tupton Food Bank and to that end they also hold next Friday their annual Fireworks night which will hopefully add to the pot for their superb efforts.

TUPTON V AMBER VALLEY

Talking of which the club have now added some smart wooden fencing to create a tidier impression and also have training lights on their seconds pitch now as well as the main one.  

As ever both sides were out warming up and activity was around the clubhouse were varying liquid refreshments were I dare say being sampled.

ABOUT TO BE CONFRONTED

Following a reorganisation the league sees some new clubs come in and there is the loss of others disappointingly Skegness which I'm sure made an interesting trip.  Its all wrapped up now in the highly confusing league title of Counties 3 East [N] West, my head tries to keep splitting the pie in those segments but hey who cares the bars open.  Sorry I had to get that in even after promising myself not too.

FIRST TRY OF THE SECOND HALF 

Having covered this fixture last season and shall we say it was a bit of a physical affair there was an anticipation but upon looking at the league table seeing Amber Valley second bottom with just one win I did wonder if this would be an easy game for fourth placed Tutpon but as with all sports no game is an easy one and so it proved here for the home side.

MIDDLE OF THE PARK ACTION WITH A FEW BEERS BEING ENJOYED

Tupton on five wins went over after just two minutes with a cheeky through the legs five points and much of the half became a challenge of trying to break down Amber Valley that was until in the late stages of the half when from somewhere the visitors went over in the corner to level the scores.  There had been no close introductions of the two sides that was until 37 minutes and then again two minutes later and I guess it was mainly discussing who was getting the drinks in.

TRY NUMBER THREE FOR TUPTON FOR JORDAN WHITE

The second period saw both sides re double their efforts and it was Tupton who would dominate, we were really not to see the visitors as an attacking option and to that end the boys in blue and yellow went over on 54 minutes with a conversion and the seven points.  These were added to with a maximum ten minutes later when place kicker Jordan White weaved his way thought the body of opposition players to go over before he added the additional two points with a lovely kick from a wide position.

With a minute of time left a forceful try on the far side at the railway end gave the game a comfortable end for Tupton.  

There was even time for some injury time coming together and when all was calmed down Tupton had overcome a very sturdy effort from their visitors to retain fourth spot in the league table.

THERE IS SOME DETERMINTION THERE

 

As ever a pleasant and different afternoon with that promise of visiting on a bright fine afternoon, I really must do that and pop along soon to this excellent community club.  Thanks for the game.

TUPTON OVER IN THE LAST MINUTE