Season finale brings victory over League Winners

Melbourne had won the first match of the season on their home turf much against the run of play so Matlock had been eagerly awaiting this return fixture to put matters right. With the opposition already guaranteed promotion next season to Midlands 1 East the home side were in a mood to spoil their party and make a statement in this final league match of the year. Ash Statham started at prop, in spite of him picking up a nasty finger injury at work two days before, making him the only player to play in every game this season. The pack were therefore at full strength and whilst the backs were still missing key players the depth in the squad still ensured a strong backline, and a solid bench.
From the kick off Matlock were immediately into their stride playing with high intensity, pace and control. Melbourne were clearly rocked by the early intensity of the home side and spent the opening minutes defending desperately. The Melbourne pack were being given a lesson in scrummaging as Matlock’s pack had them going backwards at a rate of knots. The home side were playing some sublime rugby and were rewarded with a fine opening try when James Fairclough glided through a hole in the Melbourne defence to touch down. The conversion attempt was wide 5-0. Matlock were then reduced to fourteen men when Tim Taylor was shown a yellow but this didn’t seem to be much of a setback as Matlock’s seven man scrum continued to push pack the visitor’s eight with apparent ease. Melbourne were struggling to find any rhythm with Matlock’s strong tackling defence preventing them from breaking the gain line and were only able to get any decent field position by virtue of the occasional penalty kick when Matlock transgressed. In contrast Matlock looked dangerous whenever they had the ball, the pack as a unit were outstanding in the sets and in open play and James Young was industrious at inside centre making several half breaks. With the forward supremacy it was only a matter of time. A couple of scoring chances had gone begging as Matlock camped yet again in the Melbourne twenty two. The pressure finally told as Matlock’s scrum drove back the Melbourne pack for the umpteenth time for Simon Wright to claim the try. Morton added the extras 12-0. Melbourne made a rare visit to the Matlock twenty two and created space out wide but were thwarted by a magnificent saving tackle by Marcus Bolam. As the half came to a close Matlock were again camped on the Melbourne line but a lack of patience saw them lose a golden opportunity to extend their lead. Half time 12-0.
The start of the second half saw Melbourne attempt to find a foothold in the game and Matlock handed it to them by giving away a couple of silly penalties to give them good field position for a successful catch and drive to score out wide. The conversion was good 12-7. Matlock came straight back and within a couple of minutes should have scored in the corner to cancel the Melbourne score but Melbourne managed to hold them out. However it wasn’t too long before Matlock restored the twelve point lead when Chris Atkinson was in support to take and pass and race twenty two metres to touch down under the posts. Morton added the extras 19-7. As the game entered the last twenty minutes Matlock’s defence continued to frustrate a Melbourne side seemingly bereft of flair and ideas. Prop Curtis Bolam showed his fly-half skills putting a fine up and under and the regathering his own kick to then chip ahead again keeping Melbourne on the back foot. Tim Taylor then picked up a second yellow leaving Matlock to play out the remainder of the game a man down. As the game was coming to an end Matlock attacked again pushing for the bonus point try but were unable to make it happen but were happy to settle for a good win on the back of a great team performance.
What a way to end the season for the 1st XV, a fantastic effort from the whole team, with Tom Cruttenden putting in an outstanding display. All good wishes to John Statham for his proposed trip to play in Australia. His skills and flair will be missed next season. Congratulations again to Ash Statham on his 100% playing record, what a warrior.

Congratulations to Melbourne for winning promotion to Midlands 1 East. That will be a real hard test for them next season.

So the season has ended for the 1st team but the 2nds still have a chance of some silverware in the Derbyshire 2nd team cup. Next Saturday they play Ashbourne for a place in the final, kick off 3.00pm.