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Sat 25 Jan 2014 · Midlands 1 East
1st XVOld Northamptonians
16
15
Thunder Lighting and Hailstones before Matlock secure much needed victory
Thomas Hooton26 Jan 2014 - 17:55
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Matlock 16 v 15 Old Northamptonians
Following another very wet week the game was given the go ahead after an early morning pitch inspection. The match squad again saw changes from the previous week. Following injuries in the Newark match to both Powell (hamstring) and Hartley (dislocated elbow) the backline was boosted by the return of Packard and Howard back from their skiing trip and Allen started on the wing. In the pack Wagg returned on the flank with Tom Wright switching to No.8 replacing the injured Crofts (broken thumb). Richardson passed a late fitness test to join Statham and Ball in the front row.
The players ran out onto the pitch for kickoff to be met by thunder, lightning and hailstones. The referee sent the teams back to the safety of the dressing rooms. Five minutes later the storm passed and the game kicked off. It was clear from the outset that this wasn’t going to be a day for the open running rugby that both sides normally display. Instead it was going to be a battle of attrition and was always likely to be won by the smallest of margins. In the difficult conditions both sides struggled to string together phases with any real continuity and with both sets of players finding it difficult to keep hold of the ball turnovers happened with some regularity. ONs were first to get on the score sheet with a try after 15 minutes. A missed tackle was all that was needed to gift them the opportunity to cross the line unopposed from 15 metres out. Crucially the score was not close enough to the posts and the conversion attempt was well wide. Matlock came back strongly from the setback and were soon in front. From a midfield scrum the ball was moved to Packard on the blind side. The defence showed the pacy fullback half a gap and he was through it in a flash before drawing two defenders and firing a pass to Howard who, after some tantalising juggling, gathered the ball and raced down the touchline to dive over for a great try in the corner. Tom Morton brilliantly converted from the touchline to give Matlock a 7-5 lead which they held on to through to half time.
Matlock lost both Young and Neville to injuries which brought Fairclough off the bench and meant the hardworking Coombes had to move from back row to centre. Chris Atkinson also came off the bench. The second half saw both sides continue to try and play rugby but conditions hampered their efforts. Matlock increased their lead to 10-5 with a well struck penalty by Morton but the scores were brought level by a second try for ONs. The visitors took a quick tap on the 22metre. Matlock hadn’t retreated the full ten metres and Wagg was sent to the sin bin for the cynical act. ONs tapped again and forced their over for a try out wide. The conversion attempt again was well wide.
From the kick off Matlock eventually forced their way upfield and regained the lead through another well struck penalty from the boot of Morton. At 13-10 Matlock could sense a real possibility of victory but these hopes were temporarily dashed when ONs forced their way over for their third unconverted try to take a 13-15 lead with only minutes to go. Matlock though were still in reach of a victory against the top four side. ONs were then penalised for a lineout infringement. Left with the choice of kicking for the corner and the risky catch and drive in difficult conditions or a very difficult kick for goal Morton stepped up and with baited breath the crowd (both pitchside and inside the clubhouse ) cheered in unison as the ball sailed through the uprights to give Matlock the slenderest of leads. With the score at 16-15 Matlock then held out for the remaining tense couple of minutes for a hard fought but excellent victory 16-15.
This was a gritty, determined performance by the home side. It definitely wasn’t a day for free flowing rugby or for the faint hearted but the whole team gave everything to get this result which in the end came down to the goal kickers. ONs missed all three of their attempts on goal whilst Morton gave a 100% kicking display. Its backs to the wall time now, we are still sitting third bottom in the league and have some big games coming up. All we can do is try and win all our remaining games and hope that the teams above slip up. Next week is a free week and I expect the squad will welcome a week’s rest. The next league game is away to Paviors on 8th February kick off 2.15pm.
The players ran out onto the pitch for kickoff to be met by thunder, lightning and hailstones. The referee sent the teams back to the safety of the dressing rooms. Five minutes later the storm passed and the game kicked off. It was clear from the outset that this wasn’t going to be a day for the open running rugby that both sides normally display. Instead it was going to be a battle of attrition and was always likely to be won by the smallest of margins. In the difficult conditions both sides struggled to string together phases with any real continuity and with both sets of players finding it difficult to keep hold of the ball turnovers happened with some regularity. ONs were first to get on the score sheet with a try after 15 minutes. A missed tackle was all that was needed to gift them the opportunity to cross the line unopposed from 15 metres out. Crucially the score was not close enough to the posts and the conversion attempt was well wide. Matlock came back strongly from the setback and were soon in front. From a midfield scrum the ball was moved to Packard on the blind side. The defence showed the pacy fullback half a gap and he was through it in a flash before drawing two defenders and firing a pass to Howard who, after some tantalising juggling, gathered the ball and raced down the touchline to dive over for a great try in the corner. Tom Morton brilliantly converted from the touchline to give Matlock a 7-5 lead which they held on to through to half time.
Matlock lost both Young and Neville to injuries which brought Fairclough off the bench and meant the hardworking Coombes had to move from back row to centre. Chris Atkinson also came off the bench. The second half saw both sides continue to try and play rugby but conditions hampered their efforts. Matlock increased their lead to 10-5 with a well struck penalty by Morton but the scores were brought level by a second try for ONs. The visitors took a quick tap on the 22metre. Matlock hadn’t retreated the full ten metres and Wagg was sent to the sin bin for the cynical act. ONs tapped again and forced their over for a try out wide. The conversion attempt again was well wide.
From the kick off Matlock eventually forced their way upfield and regained the lead through another well struck penalty from the boot of Morton. At 13-10 Matlock could sense a real possibility of victory but these hopes were temporarily dashed when ONs forced their way over for their third unconverted try to take a 13-15 lead with only minutes to go. Matlock though were still in reach of a victory against the top four side. ONs were then penalised for a lineout infringement. Left with the choice of kicking for the corner and the risky catch and drive in difficult conditions or a very difficult kick for goal Morton stepped up and with baited breath the crowd (both pitchside and inside the clubhouse ) cheered in unison as the ball sailed through the uprights to give Matlock the slenderest of leads. With the score at 16-15 Matlock then held out for the remaining tense couple of minutes for a hard fought but excellent victory 16-15.
This was a gritty, determined performance by the home side. It definitely wasn’t a day for free flowing rugby or for the faint hearted but the whole team gave everything to get this result which in the end came down to the goal kickers. ONs missed all three of their attempts on goal whilst Morton gave a 100% kicking display. Its backs to the wall time now, we are still sitting third bottom in the league and have some big games coming up. All we can do is try and win all our remaining games and hope that the teams above slip up. Next week is a free week and I expect the squad will welcome a week’s rest. The next league game is away to Paviors on 8th February kick off 2.15pm.
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