Sound victory as Jonny hits 400 1st team appearances

With the opponents for this match also having played at a level higher last season and also achieving maximum points to date there was an expectation that this would be a close fought match. Matlock made a couple of changes to the starting line-up. Jack Ritchie came in at fly half for his league debut and a reshuffle in the pack saw Richardson, Jackson and Goodall start in the front row and Simon Wright staying on the flank with Coombes taking a break after his exertions in the unfamiliar fly half berth the week before. Bunting, Atkinson and Harry Morton made up the replacements bench.
From the kick off Matlock were immediately on the attack and asking questions of the Bosworth defence. With barely five minutes on the clock Tom Morton was forced to leave the field after being felled by a cheap shot from the Bosworth flanker. Brother Harry stepped in at scrum half. Matlock continued to apply pressure and when Bosworth infringed again at the breakdown the player was shown the yellow card and Whittaker stepped up slot the penalty kick. Richardson left the field with a blood injury and Bunting entered the fray to make his 400th first team appearance.
From the restart the home side were soon back on the attack and spent a long period camped in the Bosworth half but a few wrong decisions and unforced errors prevented them from adding to the score board. Eventually after 25 minutes the first try came following a patient build up saw Robinson power his way over near the posts. Whittaker added the extras.
Matlock continued to dominate territory and Bosworth struggled to find a way into the Matlock half as any clearance kicks were run back at them with interest by Whittaker, Buckley and Howard. Matlock’s only reward for all the pressure was another Whittaker penalty.
Eventually Bosworth were able to use their main weapon the catch and drive to get on the scoreboard. Matlock failed to clear their lines properly following a rare period in their own 22. Bosworth took advantage of the line-out close to the Matlock line and drove over for an unconverted try. Matlock responded by upping the intensity and just before half time Whittaker’s long range penalty attempt was just wide. The halftime whistle eventually went at 47 minutes with the score 13-5 in favour of the home side.
Whatever was said at half time soon brought results. Matlock were now playing with a pace and power that Bosworth were finding difficult to live with. Bosworth kicked long to relieve the pressure and Whittaker was quick to punish them, breaking through the oncoming defence before passing to Howard who fended off the first would be tackler before showing a clean pair of heals as he raced away for his first try. Whittaker converted.
Bosworth were awarded a penalty for an unintentional high tackle when Robinson’s arm slid up off the ball at chest height. A quick tap saw Bosworth on the attack and H Morton was unlucky to be shown a yellow card for hands in the ruck. Bosworth kicked to the corner hoping to repeat their first half drive but a superb lineout steal by Crofts saw Matlock break out courtesy of a sublime grubber kick down the touchline by Jonny Bunting making his 400th first team appearance. The chase was good and Matlock had a line out about thirty metres from the Bosworth line. From the line out Matlock put together a great passage of rugby including strong carries from Hooton and Richardson before Goodall hit a good line and smashed his way through the last defender to score a great try. Whittaker again converted taking the score to 27-5.
The home side were now fully in the ascendency and following some great running lines by Croft and Atkinson the ball was shipped to Neville who broke through the defensive line before sending Howard scurrying away for his second try. The conversion attempt was just wide.
Matlock continued to up the intensity and were really carrying the game to their opponents who at times had players littering the pitch, particularly so after a 40 yard rampaging run by Robinson where bodies were left in his wake.
To their credit and against the run of play Bosworth scored next. After a series of penalties against the home side allowed the visitors to kick to the corner Bosworth took advantage of the extra man and a lapse in concentration to score in the corner. The conversion was missed.
Matlock were back on the score board minutes later. Dan Hooton made a tackle in midfield and ripped the ball from the Bosworth player’s grasp. The ball was quickly recycled to Whittaker who again scythed through the defence and great support play saw the home side stopped just short of the line and a patient series of pick and drives saw Richardson eventually go over for the final score. Whittaker capped a fine display by adding the extras.
Eventually following one of the longest games in living memory the final whistle went with Matlock claiming well deserved victory by a score-line of 39-10.
This was a much better all-round display than the previous week and as the squad beds down they will continue to get even better with each game. Jack Ritchie put in a fine display on his debut and Whittaker was devastating from full back. The forwards as a unit demonstrated both power and pace and overall fitness levels this year look excellent which is credit to both the coaching team and the players themselves. And the final word and congratulations must go to Jonny Bunting who on reaching 400 1st XV appearances continues to be a great servant to Matlock Rugby Club.
Team: Richardson, Jackson, Goodall, Twyford, Robinson, Wright S, Wagg, Crofts, Morton T, Ritchie, Howard, Neville, Hooton D, Buckley, Whittaker.
Bench: Bunting, Atkinson, Morton H

Next week there is a break from the league as we entertain Stafford at home in the Intermediate Cup. See website for kick off time.
Come on you Blue Boys