Matlock Under 15s 21 - 24 Ashfield Under 15s

Blustery conditions greeted Matlock on their first visit to Ashfield.

From the Ashfield kick off, Matlock started off well, getting to the breakdown quickly and putting in tackles quickly.

Ashfield's early game appeared to rely on brute force. The Matlock defence held up well initially, but all the possession was in the Matlock half. Harry in particular was chasing down well.

Ashfield opened the scoring with a try in the corner after the backs failed to halt a run down the wing and Ashfield brought in reinforcements to bundle the ball over the line Ashfield 7 Matlock 0

But from the kick off, Matlock restored parity immediately after Brandon burst through, riding four tackles in the process. Ashfield 7 Matlock 7

Reynell and Adam were driving through the Ashfield lines. A great rip from Harry halted Ashfield in their tracks as the visitors tried to take hold of the game. But Ashfield were proving to be dogged opponents, particularly down the left wing and from one such move took the lead again . Ashfield 14 Matlock 7

Matlock were struggling to get their game going in a performance of fits and starts. Danny and Sam took the initiative with 2 great runs but from the resulting possession and scrum near the Ashfield try line, the hosts were able to kick out to protect their lead into half time

The message from the coaches at half time was that the boys needed to up their effort and intensity and get quicker to the breakdown.

The result was clear to see as Matlock pushed the hosts back from the second half kick off. The scrum upped their efforts and the boys were much quicker to the breakdown. Reynell took off on a great run and was only prevented from scoring by a last gasp tackle into touch.

The second half deteriorated into a poor contest of fits and starts, neither side seemingly able to establish a rhythm, not helped by some erratic decisions. A scrappy try extended the hosts lead. Ashfield 19 Matlock 7.

But out of nothing, Sam grabbed the ball virtually on his own line and ran the entire length of the field to score between the Ashfield posts - Ashfield 19 Matlock 14

The host replied again after being awarded a penalty close to the Matlock line - Ashfield 24-14

But again, Matlock replied with a full length run from Danny - Ashfield 24 - Matlock 21

As the game entered its final stages, Matlock were looking to turn the game to their advantage, but what appeared to be an early final whistle brought proceedings to an abrupt close.