Solid performance brings victory

After the previous weeks whitewash at Kettering, there was a lot was riding on this game against old adversaries Mansfield. Matlock’s pack was strengthened by the availability of their influential captain James Cooper along with the added power of Scott Robinson and the return of hooker Elliot Boam. The backline also saw several changes due to injury and unavailability. Both James Young and Alex Powell were ruled out through injury and Tom Hooton and George Whittaker were both unavailable. With Chris Young out serving the last week of his ban the flyhalf berth was filled by the versatile and dependable Dave Hartley for his first outing of the season. The starting line up saw Neville and Coombes in the centre, Dan Hooton moving out to the left wing, Luke Howard coming in on the right wing and the fleet footed Packard switching to full back. Having suffered a defeat themselves the previous week Mansfield were also hungry for a win so a tight, hard fought game was anticipated.
Mansfield kicked off and Matlock made a positive start with a good take and set by captain Cooper. The home side looked after the ball well and only three minutes had gone when Cooper charged through the Mansfield defence, rampaged up the field and fed the supporting Charlie Jackson who in turn raced toward the try line before unselfishly passing to Henri Packard to go over under the posts. Tom Morton added the conversion for a perfect start for the home side. Both sides attacked with intent but in this first half hour it was Matlock who looked most dangerous with ball in hand and contrary to the previous weeks outing the defensive effort throughout the team showed a vast improvement. On 12 minutes Matlock increased their lead with another fine try. Mansfield were penalised for the tackler not releasing and Tom Morton kicked for territory 10 metres into the opposition half. Clean line out ball was followed by a crash ball up the middle and quick recycling saw Dave Hartley brilliantly pick the ball off his toes to feed Adam Twyford. He in turn passed to Packard who drew his man before passing to Luke Howard to race round under the posts from 25 metres out. Tom Morton added the extras and Matlock were 14-0 in the lead. Three minutes later Morton converted a penalty attempt taking the score to 17-0. Matlock could have scored further tries but for a couple of loose passes. This game was far from one sided though and Mansfield also threatened on a few occasions but were thwarted by some resolute, if at times desperate, last ditch defending by the home side. One defensive lapse allowed Mansfield a huge drive up the middle toward the line. Matlock infringed and Mansfield opted to kick the penalty to put some points on the board. Minutes later there was big match moment when on the attack in the Mansfield twenty two Packard attempted to chip the defence for himself and Hooton to run on to but his miskick went straight in the arms of a Mansfield player who raced away for what seemed like a certain score with his winger in support. However Packard and Hooton set off in pursuit and with Hooton doing enough to convince the ball carrier not to pass to his supporting player, Packard’s sheer pace and determination saw him catch the player just before the line and his tackle dislodged the ball as they crossed the line. The half time whistle blew with the score at 17-3.
It was no surprise that the second half saw Mansfield start strongly and they enjoyed long periods of pressure but without reward as a determined home defence stood strong under the onslaught. Matlock struggled to get out of their own half for any respite but they were playing with a certain calm assurance in the knowledge that they are capable of scoring at any time even from deep. And so it proved with 60 minutes gone Mansfield kicked over the Matlock defence toward the touchline. Packard fielded the ball looked up and spotting space he deftly chipped the ball over the Mansfield would be tacklers, raced forward, regathered the ball and outpaced the remaining defence to score in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful but the lead was now 22-3 and the victory was in sight. Mansfield refused to lie down and came back strongly again and despite a herculean defensive effort by the home side a strong catch and drive saw the visitors finally rewarded with a try in the corner. A superb conversion attempt bounced back off the upright and the score remained at 22-8. With the score-line and the clock on their side the Matlock game plan was supposed to be to kick the ball deep into Mansfield territory and run the clock down, but sniffing the possibility of a bonus point the Matlock mentality is to attack. Matlock turned over the ball about forty yards from the Mansfield line and with time running out Mansfield had no choice but to force the game and take chances. This proved their undoing as Dan Hooton pounced on a stray pass, deliberately drove into two defenders and offloaded to Ben Neville who in turn offloaded to Dave Hartley who, capping a fine performance, ran in for the bonus point try. Tom Morton converted superbly from out wide and the referee blew the final whistle with the score 29-8 to Matlock.
Given the disastrous outing at Kettering the previous week, this was a fine turn around by the whole squad with all eighteen players running themselves into the ground in the pursuit of putting in a much better performance and restoring some pride.
The man of the match award went to Henri Packard for a superb individual display, although the whole squad deserve credit for this performance. Congratulations also to Ashley Statham on his 50th first team appearance.
Team:
Forwards - A Statham, Elliot Boam, L Richardson, A Twyford, S Robinson, C Jackson, J Wagg, J Cooper
Backs - T Morton, D Hartley, L Howard, N Coombes, B Neville, D Hooton, H Packard
Subs – J Bunting, J Heald, H Morton