No match report, but here's a link to the Photograph Gallery by Brian Leverington.

No match report, but here's a link to the Photograph Gallery by Brian Leverington.

Match Report by Steve Giller

As with the Chesterfield match, Rhinos had a much heavier pack, and knowing that there was quality in the back line meant that Vipers needed to be on their game in all areas.

The game started very evenly, with most of the play in the centre of the pitch, and with some very good support play the Vipers were just edging both possession and territory but solid defending from Rhinos prevented any real penetration. When the possession was reversed it was much the same story, with the Vipers' defence up quickly and tackling well the Rhinos were struggling to make ground. The game continued to be closely fought, mostly just inside Rhino's half until the centres combined to break Vipers' defence and after 20 minutes score the only try of the game. Vipers didn't allow conceding the 5 points to alter their game, and the majority of the rest of the half was played, if anything, further into the Rhinos territory, but with a slippery ball and a few over-ambitious passes, combined with some big hits from the Rhinos defence they were unable to break through. In the second half both teams stepped up the pressure and again the possession and territory was evenly matched. In the muddy conditions there were plenty of fumbles, and both packs worked very hard through numerous scrums, without either getting an advantage over the other. Both defences were in the oppositions' faces, pressuring, tackling and forcing errors, preventing any real breakthroughs, until Rhinos eventually breached Vipers' line. The attack was halted, but giving away a penalty in kicking range raised the score to 8-0. From then on the game was really played in Rhinos' half, with Vipers being repeatedly thwarted by the solid defending until, after a consistent period of 15 minutes pressurising the line the Vipers took the ball over, only to have it called held-up and were denied the points with 7 minutes to go.

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Rhinos continued to hold their ground, and the final score remained Vipers 00 v 08 Rhinos.

All the players gave great performances, but special mention should be made of the two wingers, Jess and Lisa who, in the absence of regular players, stepped in to be lifted in the line-outs, to Siobhan who broke her collarbone whilst successfully charging down Rhinos' clearance, and to Kerrie, who played almost every position on the park during the game!

A big thank-you as well to the supporters, it was fantastic to see every level of the Club represented on the touchline, from Minis up to Vets, and the support is greatly appreciated.

Match Report by Steve Giller

No match report at the moment but here's a link to the Photograph Gallery by Steve Giller.

A glorious day for watching rugby; sunshine, a cooling (but not too cooling) breeze and the ground moist but firm underfoot. Not quite so ideal for the players - good playing conditions but the heat was always going to play its part.

Before the match there were a few nerves showing, understandably for a first league match - indeed for some a first match - but after a good warm-up the atmosphere in the changing room was improving all the time. With the focus on playing to our strengths, not being bullied into someone else's game and just putting on the best performance they could the Vipers took to the field in good spirits. Against a very strong, heavy pack with a back line known to be able to handle and run well the initial performance was very good - The Vipers were standing up to the forwards well, and closing down the backs, and it took until about 15 minutes in before a period of consistent pressure around the middle of the park resulted in a string of good passing and running, leaving Chesterfield with space out wide for the full back to run through and score the first points of the game. Rather than allow the breakthrough to unsettle them, Vipers tightened up their game, and plugged the gaps in their defence, while upping the pressure on the Chesterfield attack. With the possession fairly even it took about another 15 minutes for the next score. From a sequence of strong attacks, which the Panthers defended strongly Vipers were awarded a penalty, which was taken to with 5m by Mitch, and from the resulting scrum Pash wriggled and squirmed her way through to level the score. For the next 10 minutes noone could take control of the game, but the Vipers seemed to have a slight edge, and play was mainly in the Panthers' half. A number of powerful attacks by the Vipers were defended strongly and the Panther managed to mount some counterattacks, but the tide was moving gradually toward the Panthers' line and after being stalled briefly a few metres from the line Mitch powered the ball over to put Vipers ahead. With a slender lead at half time, the focus was on keeping the game tight, and being ready for Panthers to mount a strong retaliation after the restart, which proved to be wise words indeed. With play once again centred either side of the halfway line, and possession fairly even some deft passing and confident running involving the whole of the Vipers' back line resulting in Amanda scorching down the touchline with Lorraine, Katie and Pash in hot pursuit to score 6 minutes into the half. About 5 minutes later, after almost gifting possession trying to run out from under their own posts, Vipers got the breakaway right at the second attempt, the forwards powering out of the danger area, recycling the ball and allowing the backs to mount a fast attack. Debbie and Amanda worked to break the Panthers' defensive line, leaving Leanne to sprint home from about 40 yards out with Lisa and Katy in support. After a shameless display of flamboyance the ball was finally grounded for the only converted Vipers score of the game. Panthers really turned up the heat at this stage, and without dominating possession they clearly had the upper hand. Vipers had a few good attacks, and did get close to the Panthers' line, but most of the play was in the Vipers' half, and there were two or three try-saving tackles within 5m of the line. The pressure eventually paid off for the Panthers and they drove the ball home under the posts for their converted try after about 25 minutes of the second half. Vipers concentrated on not letting any more momentum turn to the Panthers, and for the remainder of the game possession and territory was pretty much even. With the final score at Panthers 12 - 22 Vipers and having given a performance way above anyone's expectations an excellent start to the first league match was rounded off by T being soundly beaten in the after-match drinking.

A fantastic day, an excellent result, and a performance to be proud of. Let's hope Derby can provide a sizeable home crowd on October 5th, and that the Vipers can entertain them with another performance of this quality.

Match Report & Photographs by Steve Giller

No match report from this pre-season friendly just a link to the Photograph Gallery by Brian Leverington.