06/01/05

LAST MINUTE TRY STEALS VICTORY

Grimsby   20

Matlock    15

 

With a strong wind blowing down the pitch it was the typical game of two halves. Matlock played into the wind in the first half with some stout

defence and a little luck held a large Grimsby side to just a 10-0 lead at half time. 

 

In the second half Matlock stuck to the script and kept the home side pinned in their 22 until the scores started to come. First, a penalty converted by James Young and then an excellent individual try by fullback Dan Smith chipping and the kicking through the Grimsby defence to touch down for a try converted by Young, 10-10. Grimsby then struck back, after Matlock failed to get the ball back into the Grimsby half, with a penalty under the posts. Again Matlock came back and again it was Dan Smith who capitalised on a nicely weighted kick through by

Ben Neville to take the lead 13-15.  All Matlock had to do now was to keep the ball in the Grimsby half for the remaining 5 minutes but straight from the kick off Matlock failed to clear and Grimsby scored the winner under the posts. 20 - 15

We look forward to meeting them at home with a full squad.

 

19/09/2004

NARROW MARGIN WINS THE DAY

Matlock 13

Nottingham 12

A very good team performance against a much stronger Nottingham side than visited us at Cromford a few weeks ago. Matlock's rucking and general ball retention was very good, especially in the first half, leading to a excellent try by winger Matt Higgins. Under pressure, Nottingham gave away several penalties and Ali Crawford converted one for Matlock to lead 8-0 at half time. In the second half, Nottingham's big forwards started to get on top and despite strong tackling by all the Matlock players, Nottingham went over for their first try. However, Matlock rallied and, in their only period of sustained pressure in the second half, forced a try through Nick Yates. Nottingham came back, scoring and converting to leave just one point in it.  Again, committed defence was required by Matlock to keep Nottingham out until the final whistle.