1st XV
Matches
Sat 02 Oct 2021  ·  Midlands 2 East (North)
Matlock (Baileans) Rugby Club
1st XV
31
12
Lincoln
Matlock weather an early storm against Lincoln for bonus point win

Matlock weather an early storm against Lincoln for bonus point win

Tony Hooton4 Oct 2021 - 11:28
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.pitchero.com/clubs

Matlock 31 v 12 Lincoln

Matlock welcomed Lincoln to a wet and windy Cromford Meadows for their first home game following the eighteen months break. A number of VP’s had ventured down to brave the weather and give their support lured by the promise of a pre match buffet. Both teams had suffered injuries in the first week but it was good to see that Lincoln’s injured captain had travelled to support his team and both Matlock’s injured player’s Dan Hooton and Rory Cookman were also down to lend their support. Henri Packard was a late withdrawal for the home side due to a family illness and this saw James Fairclough start at fullback with Ben Poyser called back onto the bench. Ben Neville moved back to his first choice position of centre in the absence of Harry Morton and new captain Luke Crofts made a long overdue return to the side in the back row after a long spell away from the club initially in New Zealand, then Ireland and latterly at Sheffield Tigers. Eighteen year old Jim O’Reilly came into the side in the vacant wing berth for his club debut. A minutes silence was held before the game in memory of five club members sadly lost over the last eighteen months. These were David Allen, Ray Williams, Nigel Briddon, Brian Ball and James Eyre.
The game kicked off and the first ten minutes became a cagey affair with both sides testing each other’s defences and acclimatising to the inclement weather conditions before Matlock showed the first glimpse of what was to come later in the game. Awarded a scrum for a crooked throw in the Lincoln lineout Simon Wright broke from the base and fed Ben Neville on the crash ball. He made good ground before John Statham made a line break from the breakdown followed by Tom Cruttenden who surged through several would-be tacklers before being stopped just short of the line. The ball was quickly recycled and moved quickly through hands for young winger Jim O’Reilly to go over in the corner for a superb team score. The conversion attempt was narrowly wide 5-0.
The weather conditions were causing a few handling errors for both sides and when a Matlock attack broke down Lincoln reacted well taking the ball to ten metres inside the Matlock half. Their scrum half picked up from the base of the ruck and kicked the ball which went out in the Matlock 22 for what should have been a Matlock line-out. However due to some confusion the kick was adjudged as a 50-22 kick under the new law and an attacking lineout was awarded to Lincoln who made the most of the situation and punished some slackness in the Matlock defence to create an overlap and an easy run in to the corner for their right wing. The conversion was well struck from out wide for a 5-7 lead. Matlock were clearly unsettled by these events but began to rebuild however their efforts were frustrated by their lineout not functioning particularly well and good attacking opportunities were squandered as a result. Having missed good chances to restore the lead including a kickable penalty chance being put wide of the posts Matlock were further frustrated when Lincoln scored again somewhat against the run of play. On 32 minutes their centre again made a telling break on half way and raced thirty metres before putting his winger away for his second try. This time the conversion was missed but the visitors were celebrating a 5-12 lead with eight minutes remaining in the first half. Matlock responded well to the setback and began to assert their control over proceedings and as half time approached Simon Wright’s surge for the line saw him held up. The goal line drop out was fielded by Ben Neville who made good ground with a powerful charge into the oncoming Lincoln defensive line. The ball was quickly recycled and moved wide to Luke Howard who raced up the touchline before passing inside to Harry Boyd in close support for another fine team score. James Fairclough’s conversion was hit superbly from out wide. Scores were level at 12-12 and the half time whistle followed soon after.
Again coach Dave Hartley gave a measured assessment of the first half performance and readied his team for a strong second half. Heeding the coach’s words Matlock made the best possible start. A good kick chase from the kick off saw Matlock knock the ball on. The scrum was won against the head, Simon Wright picked up and made a powerful carry, the ball was recycled and found Ben Neville on the crash ball to burst through two defenders and step his way towards the line and touch down for a great score. Fairclough again added the extras for a 19-12 lead. Lincoln kicked off but were soon forced onto the defensive again. Matlock fielded the kick and recycled the ball a couple of times before Fairclough’s huge clearance kick from his own twenty two came off a Lincoln player and into touch for a Matlock lineout. Despite misfiring for much of the afternoon Matlock won their own line and a strong catch and drive drove Lincoln back some 15 metres or more before a series of pick and goes resulted in youngster Ben Poyser forcing his way over for the try. The conversion effort was narrowly wide and Matlock’s lead was now 24-12 with only eight minutes of the half gone. Lincoln attempted to regroup but Matlock were in no mood to let up and constant defensive pressure and good kick returns made it difficult for the visitors to escape their own half. On 52 minutes Matlock made the game safe with their final score. Under pressure in their own 22 Lincoln looked to kick long. The ball was fielded by Jim O’Reilly on half way who looked up and stepped the oncoming defenders before setting off on a great run which saw him eventually stopped on the Lincoln five metre line. Luke Crofts picked up at the ruck and drove over for the try. Fairclough added the conversion and Matlock were 31-12 ahead.
Matlock remained in control for the remainder of the game but despite some notable strong runs by George Whittaker who had later moved to the wing from back row and a knock-on by the same player with the line beckoning the score remained unchanged until the final whistle.
Another bonus point win in less than perfect conditions with both sides showing surprisingly good handling skills in the constant rain. Matlock will have identified a few areas to improve on, especially the lineout where Lincoln enjoyed more success but they can be very satisfied with the pressure applied on the visitors defensive line through a host of strong ball carriers. The partnership of Mark Thornley and James Young at half backs looked solid and the powerhouse of James Harrod and Mike Emmerson put in another great shift.

Next week Matlock travel to face a stern challenge away at Long Eaton, kick off 3.00pm.

Team: T Wright, J Statham, C Loughnane, J Harrod, M Emmerson, L Crofts, T Cruttenden, S Wright,
M Thornley, J Young, L Howard, B Neville, H Boyd, J O’Reilly, J Fairclough
Bench: C Bolam, B Poyser, G Whittaker

Match details

Match date

Sat 02 Oct 2021

Kickoff

TBC

Competition

Midlands 2 East (North)
Team overview
Further reading