Challengers Dereham get Eastern Counties Two North title push back on track

Norwich II 12 Dereham 33

After the disappointment of losing to Diss last week, Dereham had set their sights on a bonus point win to maintain their push towards the top of Eastern Counties Two North.

Dereham opened the scoring when centre, Craig Chester, pounced on a loose ball in midfield. A pass to Les Moon saw the scrum half launch an up-and-under which the home team failed to deal with. The ball eventually went to winger Josh Gee whose pace took him over the line (unconverted).

Minutes later, a Dereham scrum on the Norwich 22-metre line was won and the ball went through two phases of forward play before captain Rhys Leeder drove over the line. Marcus Evans obliged with the conversion.

Norwich were certainly not in the mood to give up without a fight and this determination – coupled with some poor Dereham tackling in their own half – allowed a Norwich forward to cross the line under the posts in the 35th minute to register their first points (converted).

The away team put some good phases of rugby together after the break when winger Brett Stolworthy made good ground and released the ball in the tackle to centre, Harry Graham who had run a great line to score under the posts (converted).

Dereham pressure eventually told and prop Lewis Smith touched down at the foot of the post for the bonus point try (converted). Big Andy Brooke didn't want to miss the party and showed great determination to force another score in front of the posts. Norwich added an unconverted try late on.

Captain Leeder said: 'This was certainly an improved performance from last week although aspects of our game could certainly be improved. We clearly need to address some things on the training ground. Nevertheless, a bonus-point win was crucial so I can't be too disappointed.'

Dereham have a free week coming with their next match at West Norfolk II on January 31.