After 18 months community rugby is back !

Matlock travelled to Ilkeston for their first game in eighteen months since the covid pandemic forced an abrupt end to the season in March 2020. The squad were eager to get the new season off to a good start. Henri Packard, having returned home to the meadows from a successful spell at Sheffield Tigers, started at full back and a reshuffled back line saw the experienced centre pair of Ben Neville and Dan Hooton moving to the wings with Harry Morton and Harry Boyd in the centres, James Young at fly half and Mark Thornley starting at scrum half. In a strong pack Tom Wright, John Statham and Conor Loughnane made up the front row, James Harrod and Mike Emmerson the second row, with Rory Cookman, Tom Cruttenden and Simon Wright making up the back row. Eighteen year old Ben Poyser made his debut on the bench alongside Curtis Bolam and James Fairclough.
Matlock kicked off and quickly put the home side under pressure as they tried to work an exit from their own 22. Ilkeston conceded two penalties in quick succession and Matlock kicked to the corner. From the lineout a clean catch was followed by a strong driving maul which enabled Tom Wright to touch down for the first try with only four minutes gone, the conversion effort was wide of the uprights leaving the score 0-5. From the kick off there was little respite for the home side and after a great turn over by John Statham on half way the ball was moved quickly to Henri Packard who kicked long into space before showing his searing pace to be first to the loose ball and hacking it over the line and touching down for a great individual score, again the conversion was off target 0-10 after seven minutes. Ilkeston were clearly stunned by Matlock’s intense start to the game and their early pain was exacerbated when there restart didn’t go ten metres. From the ensuing scrum a training ground move saw Simon Wright pick up from the base and draw his man before passing to Henri Packard who ran at the winger with Dan Hooton in support. Packard stepped and cruised past the bewildered winger before going through the gears and burning down the line leaving the full back in his wake before going round under the posts for a superb score. Harry Morton added the extras for a 0-17 lead only ten minutes into the match. At this point Matlock allowed the home side back into the game by mistakenly thinking they could run amok at will from deep in their own half and their confidence proved to be misplaced as they turned the ball over and Ilkeston made the most of a two man overlap to go over in the corner for an unconverted try 5-17. This score against the run of play restored some belief to the home side but it was Matlock who were unlucky not to score again when Ben Poyser, on for the injured Rory Cookman, was held up over the line. Ilkeston worked their way back up field and were aided by two penalties against the visitors in quick succession which gave them an attacking opportunity which they again successfully turned into points with another try in the same corner. With the score now 10-17 a previously shell-shocked Ilkeston had renewed hope. Matlock remained calm but were then really unlucky when Harry Boyd’s attempted chip ahead on half way rebounded off the defenders leg who then only had to pick up the ball and run up the touchline unchallenged for another score in the same corner, the conversion was unsuccessful and the score was 15-17 at half time.
Matlock’s coach delivered a measured and honest assessment of the half’s performance, giving praise and encouragement and laying out the game plan for the second half. From the restart Matlock began with more intensity and control and their efforts were soon rewarded with a strong forwards try when another powerful catch and drive resulted in John Statham touching down. Ben Neville’s conversion attempt was off target 15-22. The referee suffered a twisted knee and had to undergo a long period of treatment before the game was able to restart, much respect to both the referee and the Ilkeston physio. During this break in play Dan Hooton left the field with a shoulder injury picked up in the first half and a reshuffle in the back line saw Mark Thornley move to the wing, James Young to scrum half and James Fairclough coming off the bench at fly half. When the game restarted Matlock regained almost total control with the pack totally dominant in the set plays and the big boot of Fairclough able to relieve any attempted pressure from the home side. On sixty minutes Matlock extended their lead from another catch and drive followed by pick and goes before Simon Wright touched down. The conversion again off target, 15-27. Matlock’s solid defence stifled Ilkeston’s attacking efforts and after another turnover the ball was moved wide to Packard who made another great break before being brought down around half way. Ilkeston were penalised at the breakdown and for an illegal clear-out and had their player sent to the sin bin. Matlock kicked to the corner where another clean catch and drive resulted in Curtis Bolam touching down. Harry Morton added the conversion for a now unassailable 15-34 lead. As the minutes ticked away Ilkeston rallied for one more attack. Matlock were penalised on half way and Ilkeston kicked for the corner. Matlock defended the catch and drive but were penalised again. Ilkeston took a tap penalty and Matlock defended strongly. The referee adjudged that John Statham had not released in the tackle and showed the yellow card. This only served to increase Matlock’s determination to defend their line and having turned over the ball Henri Packard made a great break to take them out of the 22, at the ensuing breakdown the ball was moved to Curtis Bolam who’s cheeky little chip over, regather and pass out of the back door was much appreciated by the travelling support. The ball reached James Fairclough whose low driven kick to touch on half way put an end to Ilkeston’s hopes of another score and made the game safe. At the final whistle Matlock were worthy winners 15-34.
A bonus point win away from home in their first game in eighteen months was reward for a solid all round team performance, marred by injuries to Dan Hooton and Rory Cookman, both of whom will be assessed in the coming week.

Team: T Wright, J Statham, C, Loughnane, J Harrod, M Emmerson, R Cookman, T Cruttenden, S Wright, M Thornley, J Young, B Neville, H Morton, H Boyd, D Hooton, H Packard
Bench: C Bolam, B Poyser, J Fairclough