LEIGHTON Buzzard lost 34-10 at home to Derby on Saturday, but only after giving the table toppers a good run for their money.
The defeat means Buzzards remain in danger towards the foot of the Midlands 1 East league table, with just two points separating basement boys Nuneaton and the three teams above them, including Leighton in 11th place.
There is then a 10-point gap to fifth bottom Loughborough who Buzzards visit next this Saturday as they continue to fight the drop.
But if they can produce the same level of performance as they did against Derby then they stand every chance of picking up enough points.
Derby started well and soon showed exactly why they were top of the league with strong runners and a powerful pack pushing them forward.
They got on the scoreboard with a catch and drive from a lineout early on – a tactic they repeated successfully throughout the game.
Leighton came back from that early blow and managed to drive deep into the Derby 22, where good forward play, matching the visitors in all departments, set loose the backs and James Gurney went over to make it 5-5.
However, Derby responded with two more tries, one from the powerful backs forcing their way over, and another catch and drive straight from a lineout, giving them a 17-5 lead at the break.
Another catch and drive try early in the second half further extended the visitors’ lead, but Leighton were not finished yet and fought hard to stay in the game – captain Andy Jenkins leading the way with a great individual try.
But the hosts’ task wasn’t made any easier when they were reduced to 14 men. The home pack, which had been competing well in the scrums all afternoon, was now a man short and Derby were able to take advantage with a push over try to open a 27-10 lead.
Ben Silvester came on for the injured Dan Baroux and Ed Payne was given a break after his superb performance to be replaced by Ross Bevan.
But Derby performed their lineout move once more, and with Leighton unable to stop the maul, they managed to go over for another try to finish 34-10 winners.
They may have been beaten by 24 points, but the general feeling was that the score did not reflect the game and that Buzzards can certainly hold their heads high.