Cup run continues with nail biting finish

Matlock welcomed last season’s Staffordshire Intermediate Cup Winners to Cromford Meadows, where playing conditions were perfect despite the heavy rainfall in the days leading up to this game. Both sides had recorded recent victories over Ilkeston, Matlock in the league and Newcastle in the previous round of this competition. The home side’s match day squad saw a few customary changes. George Whittaker was rested after his slight concussion against the Elks, and Harry Morton was unavailable. Luke Howard came back in on the wing and with Coach Dave Hartley stepping down Tom Morton started at scrum half and James Young moved to fly-half. James Fairclough switched to the unfamiliar outside centre berth and Mike Allen started on the bench alongside Lewis Richardson for his first game of the season and Tim Taylor. Curtis Bolam started at hooker with John Statham dropping onto the back row.
The visitors had turned up without their kit so borrowed Matlock’s yellow change kit to play in. From the kick off Matlock began strongly and had what appeared to be a good score turned down in the opening minutes. Newcastle then took a 0-3 lead through a penalty kick before Matlock responded with their opening score. With only eight minutes on the clock Matlock put through a probing kick which was knocked on. From the scrum Simon Wright picked up from the base of an advancing scrum and after being stopped a number of pick and goes followed before Conor Loughnane forced his way over the line. Tom Morton added the extras 7-3. The Matlock pack clearly had the upper hand in the scrums and the driving mauls and despite them having had the better of possession and territory it was the visitors who were next to score when good use of turnover ball on their own 22 saw them punish Matlock’s narrow defensive line to score an excellent try on the counter. The kick at goal was wide but the visitors had regained a narrow lead 7-8 with 17 minutes gone. On 26 minutes Matlock regained the lead courtesy of a Tom Morton penalty 10-8. Matlock made a change bringing on Lewis Richardson for the hard working Ash Statham and only minutes later Matlock increased their lead. Richardson made good ground with a powerful carry, a quick clear out at the ensuing ruck saw the ball moved quickly through the backs where Alex Powell took a great line to scythe through the visitors defence making 30 metres before passing to Luke Howard wo in turn was stopped just short of the line before Tom Wright dived over for a score following a series of pick and goes. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful 15-8. Shortly after this Alex Powell left the field with a back injury, Mike Allen coming off the bench. Matlock continued to enjoy more possession and territory and almost on the stroke of half time they extended their lead. From an attacking scrum Matlock’s dominant pack edged towards the visitors line before an infringement stopped their progress. Tom Morton took a quick tap penalty to Ben Neville who was stopped just short of the line. A series of pick and goes followed before John Statham squeezed his way over the line to touch down. The conversion attempt was off target 20-8.
Half time 20-8, Matlock brought on Tim Taylor for James Harrod.
Shortly into the second half Tom Wright suffered a dislocated kneecap which saw James Harrod having to re-join the fray. On 55 minutes Newcastle scored another try, which was frustrating for the home side since it came from a series of needless penalties giving away easy field position followed by some sloppy tackling. The conversion was added 20-15. Matlock responded well and their forward dominance again paid dividends. Awarded a penalty on half way Tom Morton kicked deep into the corner. The driving maul from the lineout was stopped illegally and Matlock opted for the scrum which saw the visitors pushed back over their line for Simon Wright to touch down. Again the conversion attempt was wide 25-15. Tom Morton left the field with a dead-leg, Alex Powell limped back on to the field. Matlock were now in the ascendancy and only three minutes later their lead was further increased when Chris Atkinson sold an outrageous dummy and side stepped his way over to score under the posts. James Fairclough added the extras 32-15. At this point the game should have been as good as won but with a surprising 20 minutes still on the clock Matlock paid the price for their indiscipline and failure to play the game in the opposition half. Having gained easy ground again through a series of penalties Newcastle applied some good pressure and with the home defence stretched a long kick to the wing made for a simple score out wide. The conversion was excellent and with the score at 32-22 a re-invigorated Newcastle side sensed the opportunity with 15 minutes still left on the clock. Matlock defended heroically but their enthusiasm and passion to regain possession was deemed to be worthy of being penalised which kept the pressure upon a tiring defence. They managed to hold out until the last play when the Newcastle efforts were rewarded with another score when they finally breeched the defence. The conversion added the referee blew the final whistle on a very long second half, giving Matlock a hard fought but deserved victory by the narrowest of margins with the final score 32-29.
This was an exciting cup tie rugby played in the right spirit between two well matched sides which sees Matlock now with four wins on the bounce. James Harrod was named man of the match.

Team: C Loughnane, C Bolam, A Statham, C Atkinson, J Harrod, T Wright, J Willingham-Statham,
S Wright, T Morton, J Young, M Thornley, B Neville, J Fairclough, L Howard, A Powell

Bench: L Richardson, T Taylor, M Allen

Next week Matlock have their next league fixture when they entertain Lincoln kick off 3.00pm.