Matlock go top with victory over Rasen

Matlock welcomed Market Rasen to a very damp and windy Cromford Meadows. The away fixture earlier in the season saw Rasen come out narrow winners in a 19-17 less than enthralling game. For this fixture both match day squads included nine changes from the previous encounter. With Matlock sitting second in the league (on points difference) but only 8 points ahead of Rasen, the visitors arrived early and were already warming up whilst the home side in contrast were still chatting in the warmth of the clubhouse, before a short sharp warm-up prepared them for the ensuing encounter. Matlock’s line-up saw a few changes from their last game. Forward changes saw Curtis Bolam in for the absent Conor Loughnane and George Whittaker replacing Mike Emmerson. In the backs, Tom Morton, Sam Ball and Tom Lawrence were all unavailable but the return of Luke Howard, Mark Thornley and Andrew Eastwood meant the squad strength was unaffected. James Young moved to scrumhalf and Alex Powell switched to the unfamiliar position of fly-half with James Fairclough at full back.
Rasen kicked off playing towards the railway line and with a strong wind in their favour. In the early exchanges both sides played with pace and intensity looking for ways to break down each other’s defences. Matlock eventually began to gain the upper hand with strong carries by Simon Wright and Ben Neville leading the way. On 15 minutes Matlock broke the deadlock when following a strong catch and drive from their own twenty two was followed by a couple of phases off the ensuing ruck before the ball was moved to the short side for Dan Hooton to hit a great line off Ben Neville to scythe through the Rasen defence at pace before racing 40 metres up field and drawing the last man the feed the supporting Luke Howard to cross for an superb team try. James Fairclough added the extras 7-0. Rasen reacted well but their game plan appeared largely to be based around their fly-half who inexplicably kicked away much of their possession. Despite Matlock playing the better rugby it took another 15 minutes before they added to the scoreboard. On 30 minutes Rasen again kicked to gain ground into the Matlock 22. At the ensuing line-out Chris Atkinson rose high to gather the ball which was followed by a couple of phases before Tom Cruttenden made a strong carry to break the line and put the Rasen defence on the back foot. The ball was quickly recycled, James Young fed Alex Powell who made a superb break which saw him race 40 yards before passing to Mark Thornley who took the ball on before being stopped. The ball was quickly recycled to the short side for Ben Neville who showed pace and power in crossing over near the corner for another excellent team try. The conversion attempt was wide 12-0. With half time approaching Rasen made a rare incursion into Matlock’s 22 and were awarded a penalty which despite being close to the posts was unfortunately pushed wide of the uprights. Ben Neville left the field for an HIA to be replaced by Andrew Eastwood with Dan Hooton switching to inside centre.
Rasen hit back on the stroke of half time when after a penalty gave them the opportunity to kick to the corner which was followed by a catch and drive and when several pick and goes were strongly repelled by a strong and determined Matlock defence they were finally rewarded with a try in the corner, although the grounding appeared questionable to the partisan home crowd.
Half time 12-5
The second half was something of an arm wrestle sprinkled with a few handling errors, and neither side being able to add to the score board other than a Matlock penalty on 43 minutes. Matlock lost James Harrod with another HIA and shortly after Ash Statham had come on for Finlay Mosley, Finlay’s rest was short lived as he had to re-join the fray to replace the injured Curtis Bolam. Rasen tried to break down the Matlock defence but it remained strong and determined throughout, giving no quarter to the visitors.
Final score 15-5

The pitch held up remarkably well given the volume of rain in the preceding weeks. Matlock are now top of the league but it remains tight at the top with Dronfield having a game in hand.

Next week Matlock entertain Notts Casuals at Cromford Meadows kick off 2.15pm.