Dereham first team progressed to the next round of the Powergen Shield with a hard- fought 11-10 victory over Essex side Old Cooperians.The home side started well exerting good pressure on the visitors' backs, but it took 20 minutes before they were able to break down the Cooperians defence.

Dereham first team progressed to the next round of the Powergen Shield with a hard- fought 11-10 victory over Essex side Old Cooperians.

The home side started well exerting good pressure on the visitors' backs, but it took 20 minutes before they were able to break down the Cooperians defence. Edwards took a quick tap from a midfield penalty and Cooperians failed to retreat 10 yards, which put Drewery within kicking distance and he opened the home side's account with three points.

Dereham extended their lead when a huge hit was put in by Chester on his opposite centre, the ball was spilt and Aaron Tribe picked up the loose ball and broke into the opposition 22 and the ball was popped to Pilbrow in support to score.

The rest of the first half was played largely in the middle of the park with both teams missing penalty kicks.

There were some good runs and more crunching tackles from Chester and Dunsire.

Old Cooperians had to settle for a single penalty, a well struck kick from their impressive fly-half.

Five yellow cards were brandished as the tempo of the game increased, both sides knowing the next try was a crucial one.

To Dereham's dismay it went the way of the visitors.

The Cooperians forwards worked the ball well and sucked in the Dereham backs.

The overlap was spotted and the winger scored in the corner and converted from the touch line.

Dereham now trailed by two points but piled on the pressure with the introduction of Winchester, Basecala and Head.

Poor discipline by the Old Cooperian forwards saw a penalty gifted to Dereham in front of the posts, Drewery stepped up and calmly slotted over the three points to make the score 11-10 to Dereham.

The visitors pushed hard to take the lead back but Dereham held on to secure victory.

Coach Frank Affleck said after the match: “It was a gritty performance, if not pretty. We expected a hard physical match and it turned out that way. We moved the ball out of contact well at times and in the end deserved the win.”

Saturday sees a return to League fixtures with a home match against Haverhill kicking off at 2.45pm.