Glossop U14 17pts Matlock U14 14pts

Glossop U14 17pts Matlock U14 14pts

I am not sure how to start this report which is in keeping with how the team began the game.

Matlock played uphill into the icy breeze in the first half and with a good kick off by Clarke finding touch some 15 metres into Glossop territory could have been in the ascendancy. However Glossop, last years NLD semi finalists, showed they would be strong opposition by firstly winning the lineout driving forward and using one out driving runs to test the Matlock defence. The forwards were able to resist their opponents but ominously we were giving too much space and time to their backs who had a glowing reputation. This inevitably lead to the first score where the Glossop centre used the space and time to build up speed and momentum which took him round the flaying defence and scored in the corner. Once again Matlock had conceded an early try. We really do need to switch on quicker.

Again Clarke found touch from the kick off giving Matlock territorial advantage again. But despite some signs of getting into the game were struggling to get good possession as Glossop kept the ball well and were putting Matlock under pressure around the fringes and legally coming through the line quickly. Matlock forwards however were taught the new lesson of how to legally block in such situations. Thank you Glossop for giving us the need to learn this lesson. If we remember it for next week though it will be a miracle. After about 10 minutes a repeat of the first score where Glossop were able to move the ball to the centre who’s strong running took him through some lack lustre tackling despite a whole training session on Tuesday being dedicated to it. The conversion from between the posts rebounded back off the upright leaving Glossop 10 pts to the good. Matlock’s cunning plan of giving a false sense of security to the opposition followed by determined resurgence was again to be in evidence as Matlock pulled up their metaphorical socks and decided that they would start to join the game. They needed to get more robust in the forwards and more organised and determined in the backs. Shoots of a recovery began to emerge as Hamilton Cody and Stephenson began to carry the ball forward ably supported by the other forwards. The breakdown was becoming more competitive and Matlock began to win their share of the ball. This in turn enabled the backs to have a few forays but were a little slow in getting the ball to the wings and were not really putting pace on the ball. This is however early stages for many of these backs in only their first season of rugby and therefore taking this in to account were still forcing tackles and making the defence work to stop them. Given more experience these players will be making breaks and scoring tries as they develop each week. After a couple of tapped penalties took Matlock into the Glossop half Stephenson took responsibility to put the next penalty to within 10 metres of the try line with the first of what would be a few right hoofs. Matlock sensibly shortened the line and Hatton caught well and fed Hartley who in his usual style zipped past the first couple of defenders and then used his deceptive power to take the next two defenders over the line and touch down for a well deserved team try which Clarke converted. It was good to turn the first real pressure on the Glossop line into points. As the game went on Matlock came more and more into it and by half time the forwards were now able to take the game to Glossop. The front row of Garratt, Buswell and Hall were all managing to make their difference with solid runs with Buswell on a couple of occasions breaking tackles and heading determinedly for freedom only to be hauled down by the baying pack. The half finished with Matlock on the attack.

Half time nothing in it Glossop 10 Matlock 7.

The usual half time changes were made in both forwards and backs which didn’t adversely affect the flow of the game. Matlock received the kick and immediately went to work on attacking by determined team work particularly with forward drives and continuity. However, though at times this was excellent at times it was poor and the ball would be lost or turned over. Again these are all lessons that have to be learned and as we come across better players the need to do things correctly increases. The Glossop flankers were particularly adept at getting in where it matters and did a great job for their team in halting what was becoming a Matlock onslaught as they attacked the Glossop defensive line. We sent in the battering rams from close range but they were rebuffed then the sniping backs made their gambit as Wragg jinked past his opposite number which drew in the centre the pass to Walker gave him a traditional 2 on 1 with our quickest player free 20 metres out but the wrong decision was made and the cut back inside was smothered and the opportunity wasted. There was now a period of attack and counter attack as both teams looked to run the ball testing the defences. Both defences stepped up and some cracking tackles were made and matlock were managing to cover tackle well on several occasions swarming across to snuff out the Glossop attacks. Similarly Glossop were putting in their tackles which is necessary when Walker puts his head down and sets of like a steam engine. If only he could leave the rails a bit more and attack the gaps he would make more ground. Doyle managed to get more of the ball having moved into centre from the wing and showed his continuing improvement though it was a difficult lesson playing against a talented opponent. Wallis continued his excellent defensive work on the wings but it would be good to see him able to use his pace in attack and something for the backs to work on is how to give him that space. About half way through the half again Matlock found themselves driving towards the Glossop line but managed to lose the ball and as Glossop ran the ball out from their line could have made a dangerous counter attack but a dropped ball was pounced on by the impressive Stephenson who swallow dived the 2 two metres to put Matlock ahead and Simpson’s conversion extended the lead to 14pts to 10.

The game continued to be played in an excellent spirit with all players getting and needing to be involved as waves of attacks flowed up and down the pitch. As time started to near the end Matlock decided that they would try to play a territorial game by booting the ball down the pitch as far as they could. This isn’t a bad tactic if the chase is good especially when such a potent runner is in the opposition. However it was keeping Glossop at arms length but perhaps a little overdone especially when the Glossop defence started to realign to the tactic and push men back. Again part of the learning curve to be prepared to continually assess and reassess tactics and play what they see in front of them. As time ticked passed the 25 minutes it was getting tense with Glossop on the attack. Matlock repelled a couple more attacks and some great defending all across the pitch looked as though it had won the day as the whistle went. But there was time for more play. Lineout on the Matlock 22. It was won by Glossop who couldn’t make ground but got the ball to the floor as the whistle went. Somehow still time for a scrum to Glossop who moved the ball to the backs and guess who and guess what. Yes Glossop’s centre once more received the ball 20 metres out and it looked as though he’d stopped as he dithered slightly but then, perhaps as Matlock relaxed, disappointingly broke three tackles and dived under the bar to snatch the victory.

All in all this was a very enjoyable game of rugby to watch well played by both teams and all players from the two squads. Glossop made us feel welcome and we got away with the weather which was not too bad. I feel that our players gained valuable experience from the game and can take heart that we are getting closer to the better teams in the NLD. I am still looking forward to being able to have the whole squad available as yet again a couple of our county players were unavailable this week. Maybe next week, hopefully for Lincoln in the NLD the week after.

Well done boys another good performance, learn from our mistakes, keep working on skills and soon these teams will be the disappointed ones on the losing side. I think we have come a long way in being disappointed at losing so closely to Glossop one of the top four teams in the NLD last year when we should have won. However there is still a long way to go, a lot to learn but the work ethic and team spirit is good and counts for a lot and makes it enjoyable working with you. Even if my shouting and ranting seems to say otherwise.

Final Score still nothing in it but Glossop 17pts Matlock 14pts

Scorers
Tries Hartley, Stephenson.
Cons Clarke, Simpson.