TUPTON DEFEAT LEADERS IN LOCAL DERBY

TUPTON RUFC 6 CHESTERFIELD PANTHERS 3

COUNTIES 3 MIDLANDS EAST [NORTH] AT NORTH SIDE

21 OCTOBER 2023 --- 3PM

SHEER JOY AS TUPTON DEFEAT CHESTERFIELD PANTHERS

Tupton RUFC secured a remarkable victory against unbeaten league leaders and local rivals Chesterfield Panthers in a fully committed performance that saw the home side defend with a resolute determination in the closing stages that denied the boys from down the A61 any chance of coming back to avoid their first defeat of the season. 

TUPTON MAKE A BREAK FOR IT

The proceeding day had seen the area witness some of the poorest weather in terms of torrential rain for as long as I can remember and with many parts flooded not just the roads and access points but a large scale flooding of peoples homes in the surrounding areas of Chesterfield and Clay Cross.  So with many sporting events cancelled it was a superb effort by the Tupton officials and ground staff to get this game on.

EARLY ACTION FROM TUPTON V CHESTERFIELD

The chance of playing the undefeated leaders after victory in their half a dozen league games so far must have been an incentive on a damp surface with the chances of being a leveller for the team in fourth place.  Of course the added encouragement of denting their local rivals start to the season would give added impetus to preparations.  By the time kick off arrived a healthy crowd in three figures was generally mingling around the patio terrace area of course located close by to the food hatch and the bar for added sustenance.  

IT TOOK FOUR BUT TUPTON WERE STOPPED JUST SHORT OF THE TRY LINE

Tupton had seen a great start to the season maybe slightly disappointingly losing to Bakewell in their last home outing but for Chesterfield it had been all systems go.  The lowest points total the Panthers had achieved in 80 minutes was fifty and a 117 to nil defeat of Cleethorpes made this an ominous fixture for any side never mind when riding high like the blue and gold of North Side.

But it was a local derby and anything is possible.

MORE DETERMIED TACKLING FROM TUPTON

The tightest of opening forty minutes had seen Tupton start of well and looking to take the attack to Chesterfield however after twenty two minutes the visitors would take the lead with a penalty and that's how it remained at half time the league leaders leading three to nil.

WISE EXPERIENCED HEADS KEEP CALM

The second half saw a swift turn around in fortunes with Sam Cooper scoring two penalties within the opening five minutes to give Tupton a three point advantage and when they looked to take a third on fifty five minutes dreams were commencing, sadly Cooper just missed the left hand post by inches.

A MEMORABLE VICTORY IS CELEBRATED

This miss seemed to reinvigorate Chesterfield and a determined effort was underway shortly that would see most of the remaining twenty minutes camped out in the Tupton half.  Wave after wave of attacks and the full blooded determination and defence of the Tupton side shone through and as the minutes ticked away you could see their belief that a upset really was on the cards.

IS IT ALL OVER JOY AND EXHAUSTION

With Chesterfield supporters cheering on their teams drives forward and Tupton cheering on every tackle or turn over in play the atmosphere seemed to further add to the determination of the men in blue and gold.

Finally at the end of a long lasting closing ten minutes plus the three minutes stoppage time the referee signalled an end to proceedings and Tupton had achieved a fantastic victory 6-3.

JOYOUS SCENES AT THE FINAL WHISTLE

Time for Tupton to celebrate the victory they were extremely joyful but also I guess some absolute delight at the end of play for a gruelling eighty minutes for both sides who gave so much to this tight game of local rugby.  The try line wasn't worried today but were else would you see community clubs players put their bodies on the line like this, a tremendous effort all round.  

But just for this time it was well done Tupton RUFC a superb win.

HAPPY TUPTON FACES RETREAT TO THE BAR