Binghams revenge and the league title

Bingham played into the wind and Derby took an early lead with a penalty but Bingham responded taking the game to Derby and after forward pressure, Andy Gill broke and offloaded out the back of his hand to Jonathan Thomas to score. Missed conversion 5 – 3. A crazy 5 minutes followed as Bingham took a quick penalty feeding Anthony Thomas making a half break but tackled and a yellow card after retaliating. This was closely followed with Dan Bartram joining Anthony in the bin for a late tackle. Derby in possession kept play in the Bingham Half and whilst the scrum held firm, the advantage of 2 over allowed Derby to break from the scrum to score in the corner. 5 – 8. Bingham rallied and as Anthony Thomas returned to the fray, the Bingham Scrum exerted pressure despite still being 1 down were held up just short. From further scrum, the ball fed to Anthony who sidestepped and powered his way through to go under the posts but injured in the process. Converted by Tom Packer 12 - 8 With half time looming, an interception gifted Derby a try under the posts 12 – 15. Anthony Thomas was unable to carry on being replaced by Lee Fretwell and reshuffle in the backs. HT 12 – 15 and a see saw half in terms of scoring but Bingham more than holding their own despite being down to 13 men for a while and gifting a try.
The forwards and backs stood up to be counted in the 2nd half and were not over awed by the occasion or opposition taking the game to Derby and created a try from interplay between forwards and backs with Mark Plough scoring. Tom Packer converted 19 – 15. 2 missed penalties from Tom added to the tension but all play in the Derby half and a quick penalty led to a score in the corner to extend the lead to 24 - 5 and bonus point 4th try. Derby briefly put some plays together and won a penalty but pulled wide. With 20 mins left, Jason Churchill on for Pete Mount and pressure mounted as an attack was held short. A penalty conceded by Derby and Tom Packer gets one over, 27 – 15. Gareth McGahan and Ben McGill on for Andy Gill and Jonathan Thomas. With the game closing down, Derby were having to run any ball and led to a turnover, quick hands along the backs and back inside to Will North with the line begging could not hold onto the ball. A score which would have given a good reflection of the 2nd half but a fantastic win nonetheless and the league title comes to Bingham and sweet revenge for the earlier season shut out. Quite a turnaround in performances since Christmas with everything coming together scoring 402 points and conceding only 92.
Next game NLD Vase Final – Sunday 8th May
Nothing being taken for granted as North Hykeham too have had a good season – a great game looms as Bingham now go for the double.

Sunday Final – KO 11:30 at Matlock RFC
Location of Matlock RFC
All support welcomed. Coach leaves Bingham @ 9:00am and coming back to the club afterwards – a few spaces left.