Matlock triumph in must win game

With the VPs Dinner ensuring the largest home crowd of the season Matlock went into this bottom of the table clash knowing that nothing less than a win would be good enough. Two selection changes were made to the previous weeks starting line-up. Tim Taylor started in the second row alongside Twyford allowing Rollinson to revert to his familiar back row role and Buckley came back into the side at full back. In the breezy damp conditions the visitors switched kick off was fielded safely by Hooton under pressure and the ensuing ruck ball was passed to C Young to clear the danger. The early period of the match saw both teams test each others defences both by kicking and with ball in hand. After the first ten minutes the Matlock pack gained more control providing a good steady supply of possession to C Young who began to push the visitors deep into their own half. Matlock won a lineout five metres from the visitor’s line and following a good catch and drive the Matlock pack forced their way over for the first score, Jonny Bunting emerging with the ball. The conversion was narrowly wide.
Dunstable tried to hit back immediately but Matlock’s defence was solid and Young’s boot kept the visitors pinned back in their own half. Strong runs from Coombes, Neville and Mackrell set up a series of good attacks. Matlock then won a ruck around the halfway line, the ball was fed to Young who drew the winger before passing to Hooton who went on a surging run down the wing, and bounced one defender before being stopped five metres out. The scrum was awarded to Dunstable but with their pack under tremendous pressure, the ball squirted out over their try line and J Young was the quickest to react getting the touchdown. The conversion was added by C Young. Dunstable were then successful with a penalty kick and the half time score was 12-3 in favour of the home side.
As expected Dunstable came out firing strongly after the break asking questions of the Matlock defence but were unable to breach the line and soon found themselves again being turned around by Young’s howitzer boot. Matlock again applied pressure to the visitor’s line and were rewarded with a try for Brookes after yet another forward drive. The conversion was missed. Matlock were now in unfamiliar territory, the win all but secure and in reach of a bonus point if they could score a fourth try. They didn’t have to wait too long as C Young’s vision and long miss pass sent Rich Taylor away from 60 metres out. Taylor evaded the tackle from his opposite number and outpaced the covering defence before touching down under the posts. Young added the conversion.
The final score for Matlock came after more pressure deep in Dunstable territory. After a series of pick and drives the ball was quickly moved to Ben Neville who crashed through one tackle and forced his way over near the posts. Young again duly obliged.
Matlock then lost Hooton with a rib injury and with the game all but won Matlock’s lack of discipline, which had been a problem at times throughout the game, saw the referee award a series of penalties which resulted in an almost inevitable converted try for the visitors. Matlock then lost Crofts to a yellow card and only their brave and ferocious defence denied the visitors a second try before the final whistle.
This was a much needed win and valuable points gained. Although lying second to bottom in the table Matlock are capable of beating any other team on the day. Hopefully this win will reignite the squad’s confidence in their own ability. With belief, joint effort and improved discipline the results will come.

Report by Tony Hooton