Exciting game with 11 tries and nail biting finish

Following the disappointment of the previous week’s defeat, the squad were looking to pick themselves up, raise the intensity levels and put in a solid performance. The backline again saw changes with James Young now serving a ban and both Alex Powell and Matt Resta unavailable the squad welcomed back Harry Morton and George Whittaker with young Lewis Burford coming in at fly half for his first team debut. Jack Ritchie travelled a long way to sit on the bench alongside Jonny Bunting and Rory Cookman. Matlock kicked off and were immediately on the front foot courtesy of a knock on by the visitors scrum half. From the scrum Harry Morton crashed up followed by Chris Atkinson doing the same. Quick ball from the breakdown allowed Tom Morton to pick up and dummy his way through for an early score with barely two minutes gone. Morton converted his own try 7-0. From the restart Matlock were soon back on the offensive as Newark themselves were struggling to get a foothold in the game such was the early intensity of the home side both in attack and defence. A Matlock lineout on the Newark 10 metre line saw Tom Cruttenden break away with the ball to feed Curtis Bolam who then passed to Simon Wright who returned the favour to send Bolam over for a great try. The conversion attempt was wide 12-0. Matlock were in complete control at this point with their pressing defence allowing Newark no space or time to settle on the ball. In contrast Matlock were making good ground with ball in hand with Tom Cruttenden again to the fore putting in several rampaging carries despite going into the game with a groin strain. Matlock were in ruthless mood and when another Cruttenden break was followed by a strong carry by Harry Morton an under pressure Newark defence offended at the breakdown. Seizing the opportunity Tom Morton took a quick tap and dummied his way through for a second try. Again the kick was wide of the posts, 17-0. Matlock’s first half dominance continued and following another Newark transgression on half way Tom Morton nudged a fine kick to the Newark 22 metre line. A clean catch by the impressive Mike Emmerson followed by a strong maul saw the visitors driven back all the way to their own try line for Chris Atkinson to touch down. Morton added the extras 24-0. Matlock finished the half with perhaps their best try of the game. A fine passage of play including another strong carry by Tom Cruttenden set the scene for a period of intense pressure deep in the Newark half. A series of pick and drives followed before the ball was passed via Lewis Burford to Curtis Bolam who showed great vision and skill to fizz a long pass to George Whittaker out wide for an easy run in to the corner. The kick was again off target but Matlock headed in at half time with a very comfortable 29-0 lead.
The second half began with Newark beginning to find their way back into the game and their never say die attitude was rewarded with a well taken try on 56 minutes. This score should have set off a few alarm bells because it was partly down to Matlock relaxing and letting their intensity drop. As Newark’s confidence began to show Matlock’s task got harder as Simon Wright was forced to leave the field with a rib injury closely followed by Tom Morton. The pair were replaced by Jonny Bunting and Jack Ritchie. Matlock responded well to the Newark score when a strong run by Harry Hunt had given them great field position before the ball was recycled for Curtis Bolam to make a telling break and pass out to George Whittaker to finish off the move. Lewis Burford coolly slotted the conversion from wide out 36-7. With only 25 minutes remaining the result appeared a foregone conclusion but a determined Newark side aided by the home side’s defensive generosity coupled with them giving away far too many penalties resulted in the most chaotic end imaginable. Matters were made worse with the home side picking up two yellow cards during this period leaving them to play a full 20 minutes with only fourteen men. Rory Cookman had to leave the field forcing the hardworking James Harrod to return to the fray despite carrying a dead-leg. A re-energised Newark took advantage of the disarray and the injury strewn home side to score four tries during this period reducing the margin to a mere 3 points. Tom Morton re-joined the game replacing the injured Marcus Bolam and the last minute of the game became a real scramble with the home side desperately trying to wrestle control of the ball. Eventually Tom Morton turned over the Newark possession and Tom Wright kicked the ball out of play heralding the final whistle.
At the final whistle both sides were clearly shattered having left nothing out on the pitch. Matlock were relieved to get the bonus point win but were disappointed in the way in which they let the game slide. The injury strewn squad now has a well-earned rest with no game next week.
Their next game will be away at Notts Casuals on 4th November when the kick off will be 2.30pm.
Team: Wright T, Bolam C, Stokes T, Atkinson C, Harrod J, Cruttenden T, Emmerson M, Wright S, Morton T, Burford L, Hunt H, Morton H, Boyd H, Whittaker G, Bolam M
Bench: Bunting J, Cookman R, Ritchie J