Fine display ends in another agonising defeat

For the second consecutive week Matlock suffered the disappointment of defeat in the dying minutes of the game. Throughout the match the score line see-sawed with the lead changing hands with every score and eight times in all. With the sun shining down on Cromford Meadows playing conditions were perfect for the flowing game of rugby that followed. Matlock welcomed back Danny Fletcher at hooker for his first game of rugby at any level this season. Nick Coombes moved from the back row to centre in the absence of the injured Neville allowing Hartley to continue at fullback.
From the kick off both sides showed intent to test each others’ defence moving the ball at every opportunity. Matlock’s back line looked the more dangerous with ball in hand whereas Paviors looked dangerous from the base of the scrum and occasionally on the counter. The first score came 10 minutes in courtesy of Chris Young’s boot with a fantastic strike from just inside the Matlock half after Paviors had been penalised for handling the ball in the ruck. Young was then a layer of paint away when his drop goal attempt from half way was just wide of the posts. Paviors then hit back with an unconverted try minutes later after a period of pressure near the Matlock line. Whilst Matlock's line-out was going well it was proving more difficult to gain good possession from the set scrums. Normally this is an area where Matlock trouble their opposition but they struggled to settle against the much bigger Paviors pack. Fortunately Matlock were able to rely on a good supply of ball from the contact area where they battled with success all afternoon, courtesy of some good work by Crofts, Lane and Brookes. Matlock regained the lead shortly before half time. A promising attack appeared to broken down following a poor pass when Young picked up the loose ball and jinked past several defenders before passing to Dan Hooton to finish smartly in the corner. The conversion was missed and Matlock were leading 8-5. Paviors are never a side to lie down and with their number eight causing the home side problems off the base of the scrum they worked another unconverted try of their own just before the half time whistle to gain a lead of 8-10.
Energised by some strong words at halftime Matlock were back in the lead with the first score in the second half when great handling saw the ball moved quickly to Nick Coombes who forced his way over in the corner for an unconverted try giving Matlock an 13-10 lead. Shortly after Powell looked almost certain to score when he stepped the last defender on half way he was cynically close lined by Paviors’ giant prop who then somehow escaped a yellow card. Young’s subsequent penalty attempt was wide. The game continued from end to end but Paviors physical advantage was becoming more evident in scrums and mauls. A major turning point came when Paviors were awarded a penalty inside their own half. The attempted kick to the corner was fielded by Buckley whose touch kick sailed safely out on Matlock's ten metre line. However the referee having already apparently blown his whistle thinking the Pavior’s penalty kick was going into touch brought play back inside the Matlock 22 and awarded a restart scrum to Matlock albeit both sides would have happily gone for the lineout where Buckleys kick went out. With the Matlock scrummage having come under increased pressure all second half this decision was no advantage at all to the home side. Sure enough the Paviors pack put pressure on the Matlock put in and turned over the ball and this subsequently resulted in a converted try for Paviors giving them back the lead 13-17. With nine minutes remaining Matlock still refused to give up and another fine attacking spell finished with the ball being spun out quickly for Rollinson to go over in the corner for an unconverted try. Five minutes to go and Matlock were leading again 18-17. Paviors then frantically threw everything at the home side and with time running out it looked like Matlock had done enough to win this entertaining encounter. Having defended what would be Paviors last attack Matlock regained possession and Hartley broke out from defence but before he could clear the ball to the other end of the pitch he was tackled. Although the tackler failed to release the player, Hartley was unlucky to be penalised for holding on. Paviors went for the corner. The catch and drive attempt was stopped short of the line but the ball was recycled and a tired tackle saw Paviors cross the line for the winning score. The conversion was added and the final whistle went with the score line 18-24.
For the second week in succession Matlock were left feeling frustrated at having a potential victory snatched away. On a positive note recent games against three of the top five teams have resulted in one win and two very narrow defeats underlining the improvements that have been made this season. Next week Matlock are away to Bedford Athletic, kick off 3pm.
It is vitally important that the squad approach the game in a positive frame of mind, with focus, determination and self belief.