Senior Reports
2nd XV Latest Fixtures
19/11/05
Lincoln 2nd XV 24
Matlock 2nd XV 7
As the glorious medieval architecture of Lincoln Cathedral cast its lengthening
shadow over the Lindum Sports Ground on this crisp, late Autumnal afternoon, it
looked down upon Matlock taking on their hosts last Saturday in this Second Team
Pennant fixture.
Matlock could not contain the home team's well-drilled forwards and were
deservedly beaten by 24 points to 7 in the end.
However, Matlock will take heart from the fact that they kept fighting until the
bitter end and actually won the second half by 7 - 5.
Lincoln playing down the slope in the first half notched up three unanswered
tries, as Matlock seemed dazzled by the sun reflecting from the looming
stained-glass windows above.
Two came from rolling mauls, direct from line-outs and the other came when poor
tackling from a restart allowed the home flank forward to surge untouched
underneath the Matlock posts. Two of the tries were converted, making the score
19 - 0 at half-time.
After the break, Matlock had hopes of using the conditions in their favour to
get back into the match, but were frustrated by a disjointed performance,
interrupted all too often by the referee's whistle.
Midway through the second period, Lincoln broke free from the back of another
line-out and again Matlock's poor tackling allowed the home team the opportunity
to touch down for an unconverted try, increasing the lead to 24 points.
To their great credit, Matlock kept probing and eventually their pressure told
when Tom Hooton scooted clear to touch down for a hard-earned consolation score.
He converted his own try with the final kick of the game to give some
respectability to the score-line.
5.11.05
VALLEY DISMEMBERED ON THE FIFTH OF
NOVEMBER
Amber Valley 2nd XV 0
Matlock 2nd XV 59
Looking to bounce back from two
consecutive defeats, Matlock travelled the short distance to Amber Valley for a
friendly fixture.
Facing a team
of only 13 players, Matlock took the home team apart at times, but really should
have added more to their total and were frustrated by a combination of poor
handling, the opposition and the referee on a number of occasions.
Nevertheless,
this convincing victory will help to rebuild confidence for some important
upcoming Pennant fixtures.
It was all
Matlock for the first half and they racked up 38 unanswered points, as their
numerical superiority paid dividends and Amber Valley struggled to compete.
There were
six tries scored by the visitors – Ian Shepherd with two, David Hart,
Mark Evans, Tom Hooton and Ben Neville all crossing. Shepherd
converted four.
Matlock
should have added more points to their total, but on occasions looked to be
trying too hard and the final pass did not quite go to hand, although it would
be churlish to criticise their healthy half time lead.
The second
half did not flow quite as the first, as Matlock were frustrated by a number of
factors.
Lending the
opposition the marauding Danny Fletcher didn’t help and when the finely
tuned hamstrings of Mark Evans – reminiscent of a Steinway Grand Piano –
reached breaking point, the resulting uncontested scrums somewhat disrupted the
pattern of the match.
As the
penalty count against them increased, and Andy Shimwell was required to
take a 10 minute spell on the sidelines for loitering with intent, Matlock came
under real pressure for the first time, but managed to hold out without
conceding.
They
eventually broke free of Amber Valley’s shackles, to notch up three more good
tries via Craig Wheeldon, Ben Neville and Richard Taylor.
Shepherd
converted all three as Matlock took a comfortable enough 59 – 0 win.
22/10/2005
Ashbourne 2nd XV 17
Matlock 2nd XV 5
From the sublime to the ridiculous in the space of a week, was this the same
team that the previous week had beaten Burton seconds by 10 clear points?
It must be back to the drawing board for Matlock’s seconds after an abject
display at Derbyshire rivals, Ashbourne.
The visitors were not at the races against a team that they have already beaten
once this season, but the home team were worth their victory with a passionate
performance which was in spite of one of their number being sent from the field
of play.
Matlock simply did not compete in the first half as Ashbourne built up a
comfortable 12 – 0 lead with two tries and a conversion. The visitors were
starved of possession, as the home forwards dominated a strangely subdued
Matlock side.
The frustration began to show on both sides after the break, with some
inexplicable refereeing decisions adding to the air of confusion.
Ashbourne’s scrum half was sent off for use of the elbow, the magnanimous
referee temporarily reduced Matlock to fourteen men for a sin-bin offence, but
it was the home team that added to their tally, when their centre scrambled over
near to the posts.
As the game wore on, Matlock started to come into it more as they finally got
some ball to use, and Anthony Williams crossed for a smart try to close the gap
to twelve points.
But it was too little, too late and Matlock could not get back into the match
and did not deserve to, as Ashbourne took the win 17- 5.
15/10/05
Matlock 2nds 22
Burton 2nds 12
Matlock’s seconds played hosts to Staffordshire rivals Burton
last week and produced another good performance against a strong team to take
the victory.
The result looked in doubt right up until the last few moments of the game, when
Matlock emerged from under the Burton cosh to break away and score a decisive
late try and penalty.
Matlock should really have made the game safe prior to this point, as their
first half showing had created them a 12 – 7 lead, but the home side took their
eye off the ball somewhat and allowed their opponents the chance to come back
into the match, as Matlock did not raise their own performance accordingly in
the second half.
Matlock dominated the first half with some good, flowing rugby and worked their
way over for two tries – the first came when Mark Evans wriggled his way over
from at least 18 inches and the second followed when Dave Cooper was put into
space after Matlock’s forwards had sucked in a number of defenders with a
relentless assault on the Burton line. Ian Shepherd added one conversion.
Sandwiched in between the two Matlock scores, Burton managed to cross under the
posts and with the simplest of conversions added, made the half-time score 12 –
7 to the home team.
The second half was a different story as the visitors raised the tempo and spent
long periods entrenched deep in Matlock territory. Some resolute defending was
required from the Matlock players and their tackling was immense with the
omnipotent David Tate a particular thorn in Burton’s side all afternoon.
As time ticked on and with an equalising Burton score looking imminent, Peter
Gailey managed to make a quick break out of defence to feed Ian Shepherd. He in
turn found David Hart, who managed to elude the covering defenders and touched
down for a relieving score. With Shepherd adding the conversion, Matlock had
breathing space at 19 – 7.
Burton responded immediately with a try in the corner following a chip through,
to narrow the gap to seven points, but Matlock had the last laugh, when Shepherd
slotted home a penalty goal with virtually the last kick of the game to seal a
splendid 22 – 12 victory for the hosts.
08/10/2005
Matlock RFC 2nd XV 57
Spalding 2nd XV 0
Matlock’s seconds entertained a very young Spalding team last Saturday in
their first Pennant fixture of the season and after an excellent, flowing
performance ran out comfortable winners.
The score-line could have been even higher as time and again the home team
discombobulated the visiting rearguard.
In the end Matlock had to be content with 11 tries, but only a solitary
conversion – it seems that Matlock need some kicking practice!
It was one-way traffic throughout, as Matlock’s stronger outfit dominated from
the word go and it was a thoroughly team performance too, as both backs and
forwards combined superbly well.
In the first half, young winger Richard Taylor led the way with two scorching
tries. David Ball, Ian Shepherd, Dave Cooper, Dave Tate and Tim Taylor, with his
first ever try for Matlock, also crossed the line, with Tom Hooton adding a
conversion.
Matlock added four more scores after the break, as they continued to dominate,
but were frustrated at times by some sterling defensive work from Spalding and
their own profligacy.
For the record, try-scorers in the second half were Dave Cooper, with two more
to complete a well-deserved hat-trick, Ian Shepherd and David Hart.
To their credit, Spalding never gave up, but equally never looked like upsetting
a Matlock team, whose increasingly confident performances see them improve by
the week.
24/09/05
Matlock 2nd XV 5
Mellish 1st XV 12
Matlock’s second fifteen entertained Mellish at Cromford last Saturday and came
close to causing an upset against a well organised side.
The visitors’ superior experience in key areas around the park was just enough
to see off a determined performance from a young Matlock side.
Mellish underlined their capability in the first twenty minutes when they camped
on Matlock’s line, but the home team held firm and eventually managed to clear
their lines despite the pressure.
The game swung in Matlock’s favour as they started to dominate, but they were
unable to get ahead, with two penalty attempts narrowly missing the target.
Against the run of play, Mellish broke away and crossed the Matlock line for a
try that was enough to give them a 5 – 0 lead at half-time.
The second half was more disjointed, as both sets of forwards spoilt the others
possession and neither team had a clean supply of ball to utilise.
Eventually, the visitors’ number 8 managed to exploit a lack of covering
defenders to crash over under the posts and with the conversion, made the score
12 – 0.
With time running out for Matlock, they looked to throw the ball wide at every
opportunity, with David Ball in particular making inroads.
The home team thought they had soon scored, when some wonderful handling saw Tom
Hooton dive in at the corner, but the referee unbelievably decided that he had
not grounded the ball properly and awarded a scrum to an equally incredulous
Mellish team.
Matlock were not to be denied for long and after a quickly taken tap penalty,
Hooton was again put clear and this time there was no doubt as he touched down
for a consolation score, but time ran out as Matlock tried in vain to get back
onto level terms.
However, Matlock can take heart from an excellent showing against a
predominantly first fifteen, that last season had been playing at an equivalent
level as the Matlock first team and this performance can now be built upon in
the coming weeks.
17/09/05
Matlock 2nd XV 34
North Derbyshire 2nd XV 0
Matlock’s second fifteen entertained rivals North Derbyshire at Cromford last
Saturday and saw a good team performance earn them a comfortable victory.
Racking up 6 unanswered tries, Matlock’s better mobility and quick handling saw
off their lumbering opponents.
It took some time for Matlock to click into gear as the score remained at 0 – 0
for a good 15 minute period, but the play was all Matlock as they sought to
break down the away team’s rearguard.
With the final pass often going astray, it seemed that a frustrating afternoon
could be on the cards for the home team.
However, their total dominance was soon to see its reward with two tries before
the break from Ady Wood and David Ball, one of which was converted by Tom
Hooton.
Matlock were unlucky not to add any more points, but gathered momentum after the
break and four further tries followed.
Richard Taylor crossed out wide following good handling, Eddie Bowness touched
down and two more scores came for David Ball to complete an excellent hat-trick.
David Hart added another conversion.
Matlock could not add any more points to the scoreline, despite the injection of
some rare pace from Ian Shepherd, but they will be content enough with this
solid showing as they look to build up steam coming into this season’s League
fixtures.
10/09/2005
Matlock 2nd XV 3
Derby 2nd XV 34
In particularly autumnal weather, Matlock’s seconds entertained an extremely
strong and well organised Derby second fifteen last Saturday and were on the
receiving end of a comprehensive defeat.
However, for much of the first period, the home team competed well with their
opposition and went into the break at only 14 – 3 down and it could have been
closer had they taken the chances that came their way.
As it was, the only reward for a sterling effort in the first half was a David
Hart drop goal, following a period of concerted pressure on the Derby line.
Just before the break, Matlock were also held up over the line, when a try
seemed a distinct possibility, which would have been a fair reflection on their
competitive first half performance.
Derby’s points came from two converted tries after their hefty forwards had
sucked in a number of the home team’s defenders and they exploited their
advantage in numbers out wide.
As conditions deteriorated in the second half, Derby’s superior organisation and
fitness levels started to show and the visitors notched up a further 20
unanswered points.
Matlock again held their own, but struggled to impose themselves and will now
look to improve on this performance with a visit to North Derbyshire on
Saturday.
03/09/05
Matlock 2nd XV 6
Ashbourne 2nd XV 5
Matlock’s second fifteen entertained a strong Ashbourne selection at a
sweltering Cromford last Saturday and hung on for a hard-fought victory.
It was just about deserved on the overall balance of play and the young team’s
sterling defensive performance augurs well for the forthcoming season.
Both teams struggled in the humid conditions, as the game at times descended
into a turgid battle played out in the middle of the pitch with neither really
gaining the upper hand.
Matlock’s first half display was slightly superior than the visitors’ and this
was reflected in the half-time score of three points to nil, courtesy of a Seb
Molyneux penalty kick.
Matlock should really have had more points on the board at the break, as they
shaded the first half in terms of possession and territorial advantage, however
the home team had to come to terms with the loss of skipper Simon Greer with a
nasty looking eye injury, but replacement Ben Neville filled in manfully.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, but it was probably
Ashbourne who shaded this part of the game.
Matlock defended resolutely throughout, but were breached by a forward drive as
the visitors crossed for the only try of the game. Fortunately for the home
team, the conversion was missed.
Credit to Matlock though for fighting their way back into the match, as a defeat
looked on the cards with the score now 5 – 3 to Ashbourne.
The home team worked upfield once more, and Molyneux was on hand to convert his
second penalty goal of the afternoon to edge Matlock back in front.
Chances were few and far between as time elapsed, although the outstanding Jason
Molyneux saved Matlock’s blushes on two occasions with excellent try-saving
tackles.
Matlock’s defence held firm for the remainder of the game and their triumph was
completed by the narrowest of margins, six points to five at the final whistle.
