The Rams' problems were added to when Andy Bostock was a late withdrawal after tearing a hamstring in training. He is now having intensive treatment to get things right and it is hoped he will make the pre-season game against Bradford. But with James Walker also ruled out, two important members of the side were out, adding to at least five others.
Coach Warren Jowitt remarked: "Andy Bostock being injured left a big hole in the team. He is a good defender but also an important attacking weapon. It meant we had to drop Adam Robinson back from prop to second row and he hasn't played there for a while but he did a good job.
"We had 21 players on duty and had seven missing, who would normally be in the squad. In the last 20 minutes I gave some of the youngsters a run-out and it was very much a second team on duty.
"I don't like losing any match, particularly a derby game, because everybody wants to win and gain the bragging rights. But it was a good work-out and valuable experience for some of the younger lads. We are trying to get what is virtually a new squad to gel and will use the other pre-season games with that in mind."
Including prop Keegan Hirst, who is back after a year at Hunslet, and Morgan Starkey, from the reserves, the Rams had nine players new to the senior side and not surprisingly looked uncertain at times.
The starting newcomers were Spurr in the backs and Ian Tonks, Mike Emmett, Hirst, Rob Spicer and Adam Robinson up front, while Adam Hayes, Starkey and Josh Tonks came off the bench.
Jowitt said: "I was happy with certain things, although some players could have done better. It was pleasing to see some of the things we have worked on in training come off.
"I thought Keegan Hirst did very well. He has something to concentrate on regarding defence but we can do that in training. Rob Spicer had a good outing, while Adam Robinson showed what he can do, although he needs to be consistent.
"In the backs Lee Lingard had an excellent game and did many good things, some of them off the ball which aren't always noticed but are valuable for the team.
"When you think Rob Spicer had the ball reefed out over the line and Simon Cook dropped the ball three yards short, we could have been a lot closer, especially if Pat Walker had kicked his goals and he doesn't usually miss many.
"The game showed we have strength in depth and there will be keen competition for places."
Jowitt said the accent over the coming month would be on putting various structures in place and said there would be much more field work. But he added: "We shall still be going into the gym and working on the weights. This is more important than ever. When you see the size of leading teams these days you have got to have strength as well as pace."