Following good performances in their last two games Matlock travelled to Notts Casuals with a quiet confidence but by the end of this match that confidence was seemed somewhat misplaced. Matlock’s squad saw a few changes for this game. Whilst the pack was unchanged from the previous game the backline was without the injured Powell, Boyd and Howard as well as the services of Fairclough, Dixey, Harry Morton and Marcus Bolam who were all unavailable. Fortunately James Young was deemed fit to play and a 70% fit Ben Neville slotted in at fullback with young Rory Cookman being asked to make his debut out of his comfort zone on the wing. Conor Loughnane joined Chris Atkinson on the bench with coach Mike Brookes having to stand in as the third replacement due to the long list of unavailable players. Matlock arrived at the Casual’s ground in buoyant mood, however the dark clouds looming above the ground should have served as a warning for the poor game of rugby that followed. The pre-match build up was first disturbed by having to share a dressing room with another visiting team (when is the last time that happened!) and as the teams began their pre-match warmup flashes of lightning and thunder claps were followed by an incessant downpour. With the overhead storm a potential danger to the players, both sides made for the shelter of the changing rooms only venturing out again when the storm had moved away albeit only a short distance but there was no let-up in the rain.
From the kick off it soon became clear that this match was going to be anything but a classic. With the majority of the home support deciding to stay in the shelter of the clubhouse it is a proud boast that all the travelling support stayed pitch side throughout the entire game despite the awful weather and the rather abject rugby on display from both sides. To be fair despite the monsoon like conditions both sides tried to play rugby and Matlock looked the better side with ball in hand but the problem was the inability to hold onto the ball long enough to put together several phases of play. The game was therefore punctuated by far too many scrums which in itself made any attempt at flowing rugby futile. Casuals took the lead with a try in the corner despite an appeal for crossing in the build-up and Matlock responded with a penalty from Tom Morton and a try from Conor Loughnane following a good period of pressure, making the half time score 5-8.
At half-time Brookes took his charges into the dressing room for a dressing down and Matlock began the second half with more intensity. However despite the odd chance being created, last passes or simply losing the ball in contact meant that Matlock just could not build on their lead, not even when Casuals were reduced to 14 men when their flanker was sent to the bin. As the game wore on and thoughts wandered towards building an ark, Young and Morton began to switch positions and this seemed to bring more success but when Young’s superb long pass to send Gunter away towards the line was adjudged to be forward it looked unlikely that there would be any further scores added by either side. Casuals missed one relatively easy penalty shot and with full time approaching Matlock were relieved to see another penalty attempt come back off the upright. Hooton cleared up the loose ball and Matlock held out for the narrowest of victories. Highlight’s were few and far between in this match barring a mazy run from Hooton early in the second half, a neat passing interchange from the Wright brothers and a rampaging run late on from Gunter. Defence however was excellent with Ash Statham nullifying the enormous Casuals props efforts and the pack worked hard in the sets against their heavier opponents. The lineout went well throughout and on his debut Rory Cookman put in a solid performance out on the cold and lonely expanses of the wing. In the final analysis this was a game to forget and a performance not to be repeated but nevertheless a welcome four points for the win. The referee did an amazing job in the terrible conditions.
Next week Matlock will be looking for a much better performance and hopefully better conditions when they entertain Southwell at Cromford Meadows, kick off 3.00pm