Matlock travelled to Loughborough with renewed confidence on the back of a resounding victory the previous week. The squad for this game saw just a couple of changes. With Jonny Bunting unavailable the equally experienced Dave Ball stepped in to fill the front row vacancy. Tom Morton and James Harrod were both recovering from illness during the week so found themselves on the bench alongside Conor Loughnane. James Young started at scrum half and Tim Taylor moved into the second row with Tom Cruttenden on the flank.

Matlock failed to control the ball from the kick off thereby putting themselves under unnecessary early pressure. Loughborough made the most of the opportunity to play on the front foot and despite some solid Matlock defence they made the most of the early territory to earn a score in the corner on 5 minutes for a 5-0 lead. Matlock reacted well to the early setback and began to put their game plan into action. Playing down the slope the visitors showed good control and patience in equal measure and a combination of strong carries and some good kick chases played dividends with Matlock getting themselves in good attacking positions. On 14 mins Matlock created a fine score after good work first by Young and then Fairclough the ball was recycled and moved through hands to Atkinson who dummied and broke through the defence to race over the line for a fine try. Fairclough added the extras 5-7. On 19 minutes Matlock increased their lead with a fine team try. From a scrum just inside the Matlock half, Wright broke blind feeding Young who made good ground before passing to Mike Allen who charged down the wing before being brought down inside the Loughborough 22. At the ruck John Statham picked up and was stopped 5 metres out. Young picked up from the base and made dash to the blind before popping a superb reverse pass to Simon Wright to crash over. The conversion attempt was wide 5-12. Loughborough regrouped and looked to use their big ball carriers but Matlock’s defence was strong and determined with every man putting his body on the line to prevent Loughborough from crossing the gain line. Loughborough’s only reward came on 35 minutes with 3 points from a penalty 25 yards when Matlock were guilty of being offside at a ruck, 8-12.
With half-time approaching Matlock added to their tally following a good period of pressure they were awarded a penalty and Young found a good touch. The lineout catch was clean followed by a strong drive to the Loughborough line and John Statham peeled off to crash over for a good score. The conversion effort was wide but Matlock went into half time with a valuable 8-17 lead.

In the second half Matlock were playing up the slope and had to endure long periods of pressure defending against a much bigger side but the intensity and sheer determination of the Matlock defence prevented the home side from crossing the line. This effort was typified by stalwart Dave Ball who led the way making numerous big hits. Loughborough’s efforts did not subside yet their big runners were unable to find a way through. Matlock soaked up long periods of pressure and then on 60 minutes capitalised on a rare visit into the Loughborough 22 they upped the anti playing through several phases before Fairclough scythed through the defence to touch down. Fairclough added the extras to his own score 8-24. This was soon followed by the final score as Dave Ball crashed over for a well-earned bonus try making the score 8-29. Once again Loughborough threw everything they had at Matlock but the visitors proved that size isn’t everything as they successfully repelled each attack. On 70 minutes Matlock lost Charlie Jackson to the sin bin but still managed to prevent the home side from crossing the line, with one joint tackle from Wright and Taylor on the Matlock line being particularly memorable. The final whistle brought the game to a close and saw Matlock with a very hard earned and deserved victory yet with other results going as expected they still remain in sixth place in the league.

Given the strength and size of the opposition this was undoubtedly Matlock’s best performance of the season so far. Next week the squad take a well-earned rest but will use the next two weeks training sessions to build in readiness for their next league game away at Market Bosworth on 10th December kick off 2.15pm.

Team: Ball D, Jackson C, Statham A, Taylor T, Atkinson C, Cruttenden T, Statham J, Wright S, Young J, Fairclough J, Howard L, Neville B, Hooton D, Allen M
Bench: Loughnane C, Harrod J, Morton T