Fixtures between these old adversaries are usually tight affairs and despite the final score-line this match proved to be no exception. Almost half way through the season the fortunes of both teams could not be more contrasting. Derby sit second top of the league and have been enjoying a winning vein of form on the back of a very tough season which saw them relegated from Midlands National 3 whereas Matlock who have been ravaged by injuries throughout have struggled to find the platform and cohesion to take them out of the bottom three which has seen them lose winnable games.
Matlock’s starting line-up again saw several enforced changes. With three of the usual pack opting for the attractions of Benidorm over the chance to put a dent in Derby’s bid for promotion, the door was opened for some of the younger members of the squad to stake a claim for a regular first XV spot. Simon Wright came into the starting line-up alongside Chris Atkinson who has impressed since he came back into the squad only three weeks ago and Lewis Richardson moved from prop to hooker for the day. James Noble also came back from Bristol Uni to bolster the pack. With the Young brothers taking the tally of missing threequarters to five the back-line was boosted by the return of Dan Hooton in the centre and gave James Fairclough his second consecutive start at flyhalf. Andy Carr was on the bench together with George Stephenson and Elliott Turner both returning to the help the cause.
From the kick off the young and hugely outweighed Matlock pack took the game to the visitors and it wasn’t long before a fine series of pick and drives saw Matlock beyond the half way and a fine grub kick by Morton gave Derby a lineout inside their own 22. Derby won the line but good pressure on the kicker brought about a poor clearance and Matlock had an attacking line. With clean lineout ball won Matlock drove forward and when their progress was halted another series of pick and drives took the home side within metres of the Derby line. Another quick couple of phases took them in front of the posts and quick recycled ball and nice delayed pass from Fairclough saw Hartley slice through the gap to touch down Morton added the extras. A stunned Derby side looked to hit back immediately but Matlock defence stood solid frustrating the Derby attack whose only reward was 3 points from a penalty in front of the posts. From the kick off Matlock worked their way down field again and more good work by the pack the ball was moved well through the hands to Packard who with pace and great use of his feet created space before putting Luke Howard over in the corner. The conversion attempt was wide. 12-3
Derby were struggling to create anything through their back-line with Matlock’s threequarters defending with vigour. However a Matlock infringement gave Derby the opportunity for the first time to kick to the corner. The catch was clean and the forward drive strong bringing Derby’s first try. The conversion was successful. This was a warning for the home side that their young, lightweight pack was not a match for the much heavier more experienced Derby pack when it came to driving mauls from close range lineouts. Despite the plan to deny them any more such opportunities another infringement soon presented the visitors with a similar opportunity and again they were successful giving them a 12-15 lead with half time looming. With only a couple of minutes to half way Matlock took the game back at Derby again and snatched the lead back again through another fine try through the backs who’s pace and audacity worried their Derby counterparts the whole game. Again was the fleet-footed Packard who created the opening and put Howard in for his second try. The conversion missed Matlock had a slender 17-15 half time lead.
The second half was equally close. Derby scored first through their scrum half following some stout defence on the Matlock line. This score was a body blow as it came from a penalty which should have gone in Matlock’s favour at a ruck when the Derby player was clearly not supporting his own bodyweight. The conversion was added and Derby had wrestled back the lead at 17-22. Matlock were still not down and should have at least brought the scores level when another piece of scintillating pace from Packard saw him run the ball back from deep, outpace several defenders before chipping forward with Howard again in support. The two Matlock players looked certain to score but were unfortunate to be penalised for an offside over the Derby line. This was another body blow as supporters from both sides agreed the play deserved a try. At this point the slighter Matlock pack showed signs of tiring and the penalty count against the home side began to mount culminating with the impressive and hardworking Crofts being sin-binned for a high challenge which was more clumsy than intentional. With the extra man giving them even more of a weight advantage the Derby pack drove over for their fourth try. This gave them a bonus point at the same time as robbing the brave home side of a much deserved losing bonus point. With the game now lost, and only moments to go to the final whistle, the first piece of sloppy defending allowed the Derby No8 the final score of the match with the final score-line of 17-32 flattering the visitors and leaving the home-side ruing a couple of missed opportunities which could have seen the result reversed.
Despite the result this was an excellent Matlock team performance full of character, pride and determination and certainly provides a platform for the coming weeks. The threequarters clearly had Derby worried on several occasions whilst keeping their opponents back-line contained. The effort and application of the entire pack was also outstanding with the incoming players holding their hand up for inclusion next week. This can only stand us in good stead. With at least nine players due to come back into contention over the coming weeks, the extra competition for places should see us well placed to start posting some victories and climb the league during the second half of the season.
Squad: Ball, Richardson, Goodall, Wright S, Atkinson, Noble, Coombs, Crofts, Morton, Fairclough, Allen, Hartley, Hooton D, Howard, Packard. Subs: Carr, Stephenson, Turner
Next week’s game is away at Huntingdon who having started well now sit just one place above us in the league. With both sides looking for points to climb the table a big effort will be required if we are to secure our fourth win of the season. Kick off 2.15pm