Dereham returned a resounding victory in Saturday's derby.

The hosts were missing a few senior players for this match but announced their intentions as early as the first minute when they ran back the ball from the kick off and, after several slick interchanges between the backs, the ball finally reached fly-half Jack Edwards who skipped through to score under the posts (unconverted).

It didn't take long for the score to increase when winger Chris Duggan broke well and found good support inside from scrum half Carl Thomas who scored. Les Moon converted. With their scrum dominant, Dereham were able to control the pace of the game and with 10 minutes gone, captain Rhys Leeder broke from the back of the set-piece and found Thomas again in support. He dummied to pass outside but turned in to complete the score himself.

Dereham's pace was now beginning to tell and the speedy winger Josh Gee was in on the act when he ran a superb line to cut through a static Watton defence to score (converted). Connor Clarke (unconverted) got in on the act as did Moon, who failed to convert his own try.

A good kick and chase form Edwards further increased the scoreline and the half was brought to an end when centre Craig Chester crashed over following good work on the outside from Gee.

The second half saw more dominance from the hosts, although Watton dug in well, with Gee, Brett Stolworthy (2) and Harry Graham all adding five-pointers. Thomas was shown a yellow card during the second period after several penalties were conceded but Dereham held strong and ensured their rearguard was not breached.

Skipper Leeder said: 'It was great to get back to winning ways – and decent conditions – after last week's disappointment at West Norfolk (their seconds team).

'This was a good team effort with several players getting on the scoresheet. Credit should also go to Watton whose heads never dropped and who made us work hard for the win throughout.

'We now have a free weekend to plan for the important away fixture at Broadland Yarmouth on the 21st which I'm sure we'll be up for'.