Victory over Bedford Athletic sees Young in sparkling form

Matlock set off for the long journey to Bedford in relaxed mood. Sat safely mid-table and free of the pressure of having to win every game there was an exciting buzz throughout the squad in the knowledge that they could go out on the pitch and express themselves more freely and maybe take a few risks. An unscheduled visit to the Bedford Blues ground on the way was an unexpected bonus for the travelling squad.
The starting line up saw Tom Hooton return at fullback allowing Dave Hartley to slot in at centre and Nick Coombes move back to the openside. Chris Young was made Captain for the day and having won the toss elected to play up the slope against a fairly strong wind. Despite playing against the elements Matlock were first to threaten the scoreboard when Hartley worked a perfect two on one to put Powell into the corner. The referee however called play back for a forward pass, a decision which baffled both teams. At the resulting scrum Matlock put huge pressure on the home side’s pack but as the scrum broke up the Bedford No 8 picked up and raced down the wing breaking several would be tackles before feeding the supporting giant winger to race away for an unconverted try. This was soon followed by a second try for the same player as Matlock were still apparently pondering the injustice of not having taken the lead. The try was converted and Matlock found themselves 12-0 down with only eight minutes played. Bedford’s confidence was growing and they continued to test the Matlock defence and their wing looked certain to claim his hat-trick but for a superb effort from Tom Hooton who prevented the ball from being touched down over the line. Matlock regrouped and began to apply their game plan. Young’s boot began to turn the opposition around and with the home side’s tackling being put to the test quick recycling of the ball saw Buckley cross in the corner. Young was only narrowly wide with the conversion. Matlock were now beginning to play with purpose. With the Bedford backs pushing the offside line Young chipped over the advancing line foe Dan Hooton to gather and evade several would be tacklers on a forty metre run before being stopped just short of the line. The ball was quickly moved out to Chris Young who crossed the line for what seemed like a certain score but the ball was somehow held up. However the disappointment was soon forgotten as a loose ball in midfield was hacked on by Powell, the fullback fumbled the ball on his own line and Powell gratefully gathered and touched down out wide. Young added the extras and the scores were level. Matlock were in the ascendancy now and were unlucky to have another score disallowed after a driving maul saw Dave Ball touchdown. Supporters and players were mystified when the referee was apparently unsighted, and scores remained even at half time.
With the wind behind them in the second half Matlock kept the home side pinned in their own half for long periods. Young’s second half display was outstanding, playing with aplomb he controlled play throughout the second half. There were booming touch kicks and deft chips over the advancing defence which saw Dan Hooton twice come close to scoring. He was also deadly accurate from the kicking tee adding nine points from three penalty kicks on 48, 62 and 71 minutes giving the visitors a lead of 12-21. With fresh legs off the bench in the form of Tim Taylor (for Twyford) and Henri Packard (for Tom Hooton) Matlock were now in firm control. Bedford continued to attempt to run out from deep but sharp defence thwarted all their efforts. Matlock then went down to fourteen men when Luke Crofts was very unfortunate to be shown a red card when he was inexplicably singled out for punishment when he had been set upon by at least five of the opposing team. The injustice galvanised the Matlock side who worked another score in the corner for the fleet footed Packard after more good approach work. Young converted brilliantly from the touch line. The final whistle followed soon after with the score 12-28 in Matlock’s favour.
Matlock’s next league match is the rearranged home fixture against Wellingborough on Saturday 9th April kick off 3.00pm.