Matlock find winning formula again

Matlock travelled to Nottingham for this league fixture still smarting from last week’s defeat and abject performance at Bosworth. The starting line-up saw some now customary changes. With Captain Ben Neville having to rest a shoulder injury and Coombes on holiday, Hartley moved into the vacant centre berth, Ritchie to fly-half and Whittaker returning at full back. A late withdrawal by Robinson saw Tom Wright again starting in the engine room alongside Twyford.
The game kicked off and the early exchanges were somewhat scrappy with neither side seeming able to hold onto the ball in contact. A Matlock penalty attempt was pulled wide which seemed to set the tone for the days place kicking on a greasy surface. Matlock’s defensive line was asserting its authority and applying constant pressure on the home side and the first score eventually came following a neat chip through by Morton. The Bridgford wing and full back failed to tidy up the loose ball and Kawalek pounced to scoop it up and race over for a try. The conversion attempt was wide. This seemed to settle the visitors who began to play with more purpose and a greater degree of control. Under pressure Bridgford resorted to trying to slow the ball down the referee penalised them. Morton kicked to the corner, the catch and drive was good and on the second phase Richardson powered over for the second try. Again the conversion attempt was wide. Matlock continued to look the better side with Richardson leading the charge and making good ground with every carry and with half an hour gone Matlock crossed for their third try. With good possession on half way the ball was shipped to Hartley who kicked intelligently into space behind the full back. Whittaker and Howard chased well forcing the defender to knock on. The Matlock scrum was strong and the attack was stopped beneath the opposition posts. Another Matlock scrum saw Wright pick up and feed Hartley cutting back on a good angle to scythe through and score under the sticks. Morton added the extras for a 17 -0 lead.
Matlock completed the half with two excellent tries. The first came from a scrum on half way, the ball was moved quickly to Ritchie who made a fine half break before feeding Hartley who then found Whittaker on his shoulder. He stepped inside the first defender then outpaced the rest of the defence to score under the posts. Again Morton added the extras. The home side were now struggling to contain a strong running Matlock side and compounded their fate when they were penalised at a scrum on their own 10 metre line for illegal binding. The Bridgford scrum half retreated with the ball and the referee moved the penalty a further ten metres. Morton tapped the ball and fed Richardson who burst through the first tackle to within metres of the line and when stopped popped the ball the Dan Hooton in close support. Hooton went to ground inches short and the ball was passed to Goodall who used his strength to force his way over for the score. The conversion attempt was wide and the half time whistle saw Matlock 29-0 ahead.
The second half again saw Matlock in control but with the bonus point victory already assured there was always the danger that the foot would be taken off the pedal, and that is exactly what happened. Twelve minutes into the half Matlock extended their lead to 34 nil with another unconverted try with Tom Wright crossing after some more good work by the pack. Matlock then appeared to relax a little up front and discipline particularly in regard to offside at the rucks gave easy field position for the much larger Bridgford pack to utilise their weight advantage, and saw Matlock pick up two yellow cards in the last 15 minutes for Morton and Boam. Despite some valiant defence Bridgford eventually scored two well-earned tries one of which was converted. Matlock still looked the more dangerous with ball in hand and Whittaker came close again after a break from inside his own half but was unable to offload to his support runners. Matlock’s general defensive line was very solid all afternoon and never looked like being penetrated throughout the game. The final whistle brought the curtain down on a very workmanlike performance which was much needed after last week’s disappointment.

With Coalville’s game at Ashbourne postponed this victory sees Matlock with a fragile three point lead at the top of the table. Next week sees Matlock taking a break from the league and entertaining Notts Moderns in the NLD Shield at Cromford Meadows with the likely kick off time of 2.00pm TBC.