U14 Reports

26/11/07

Ten Try Thriller
Chesterfield Under14s     24 pts
Matlock Under 14s            36 pts

Matlock made the short hurl North to take on Chesterfield in what has been an eagerly awaited fixture between these two sides. The dual started with Chesterfield laying down the gauntlet first form a breakdown in play and James Heading getting his hands on the ball to run over the line near the corner. However Matlock roared back into action and were rucking like tigers with hunger to keep possession of the ball. Successive phases found the marauding Donnelly who evaded several Chesterfield tacklers to level the scoring. With Chesterfields pack heavier man for man, Matlock began to move the ball through the back row of Elder, Gelder and Mansell the appetite to score was eating away. Terrier like work form Greenway ensured the visitors kept possession form good ruck work from Bestwick J. Neville and Le Grice. Elder a constant irritation to the home side was gaining in confidence and began to make inroads. Supported by R.Ward , Cullum and Mansell brought the try line in sight. Due reward was given with a trio of tries for the swashbuckling flanker Elder. Who was running his socks off and tackling his heart out. As the half was drawing to a close good effort was made from wingers Walker and Braund to help Matlock march up front and Fly half R. Ward touched down the visitors fifth try of the half.

The second half was a completely different kettle of fish with Chesterfield beginning to use their dominant weight with great advantage. This kept Matlock on the back foot despite valiant efforts on the try line from Parkes H. Neville and Webster. The juggernaut pack of Chesterfield was edging back into the game. With two quick tries.
From the restart a rare sojourn into Chesterfields half enabled Knowles and M. Ward to gain valuable territory. Armstrong on as replacement Fly half was displaying a gutsy performance of sheer determination and Matlock answered back with a well three quarter move that found Cullum who turned up the gas to sprint over .
To their credit Chesterfield fought back valiantly and some ill discipline from the visitors allowed Chesterfield to march up the pitch and power over for the final try of the match Matlocks successful conversions were slotted over by R. Ward (2) and Fraser (1) . Once again Matlock put on a show of committed team rugby in what was a ten try thriller. Congratulations to all who were involved.
 

Eight Try Thriller
04/11/07
MATLOCK U14s  27pts
Uttoxeter   U14s  17pts

Matlock entertained Uttoxeter in the sides’ first home game of the season. And what a show the two sides put on. The opening periods went with the visitors as they hassled the forwards of Matlock and were making inroads into the home sides 22. Sound defence work from M. Ward and use of the clearance boot from Armstrong prevented them touching down. As the first half progressed Matlock began to find confidence and good line out work form Webster, Donnelly , Bestwick and Mansell enable Useful first phase ball for the team to work with. The centre pairing of Robinson and Clayton were making inroads into the visitors defence but that final pass did not make the wingers Braund and Walker. The back row of Matlock, Gelder Mansell and Donnelly were starting to boss the game and the opening score went to the home side with Gelder touching down. One try up this spurred Matlock on and Solid scrummage of ,Webster, Greasley, Cooper and Le Grice also gave a platform for scrumhalf Greenway to work with. Clever interchanging between the backs found Flanker Donnelly in support who steamed a good 25 yards to score Matlocks second try. This opened the door for the try off the match. Channel one ball from the hooker Parks, Greenway shipped it out to Armstrong who drew two defenders before passing to Robinson who ran straight Greenaway looped round to take a pass and immediately shipped it out to Braund who sprinted over the line. Interval arrived with many exhausted legs on the track. Replacements were made with H. and J Neville, Arnie accompanying Alder in the forwards and Fraser replacing Walker in the backs.
Uttoxeter started the second have with great endeavour and careless play from Matlock gave them numerous penalties, in short succession in their own Twenty Two They gained a try, back when Matlock were caught napping with a quick tap penalty.
This upset Matlock slightly. As with the end of the first half they found themselves in Uttoxeter,s half and making inroads. The ball was cleverly being move around and centre Clayton gathered and powered his way over. The try was converted by Fraser and Matlock were relieved to regain the gap in the score line. However a spirited Uttoxeter side kept up the challenge and were pressing to score. The demon tackking of Braund who was nailing anyone carrying the ball towards him were keeping the Visitors at bay. Knocks took their toll and Evans and Firth came for Matlock to freshen things up. With great endeavour Uttoxeter scored a further two tires one converted as a result of careless penalties and missed tackles from Matlock..Six minutes to go, ne score in it Matlock had one more trick up their sleeve. Mansell and Gelder were not allowing Uttoxter ant decent time on the ball Donelly gathered a spilt ball and set of like a jet propelled Rhino to score in what was the final passage of play. Eight tries two conversions, Both sides put on a display of Junior Rugby that all could be proud of.
 

23/09/07

Matlock made the long journey East to open their season in what was going to be an encounter of interest. From the start the visitors were displaying hunger for the ball and were in the opponents 22 for long periods of the first quarter With the Matlocks backed backs pushed up eager for a score, Market Rasen gathered a ball in open play and ran a full 50m to touch down. This upset the travellers and it took only seven minutes for them to open their own account. From the re-start they harried with aggressive support play from J. Neville, Bestwick , Webster this enabled Matlock to secure good possession which enabled J. Neville to touch down. This gave confidence to Matlock as they rucked like demons with scrum half Greenaway digging balls out for Fly half R. Ward to supply his backs. A score was inevitable, and sure enough Cullum gathered shrugged of two tackles to touch down. As was the commitment of Matlock , Knocks took their place and H. Neville replaced his cousin to keep up the good work.

Tails up and the sun shining Matlock began to put on pressure . the home side were clearing their lines with the boot and one exhibition of ability came from Armstrong who gathered the high ball and ran to the corner to touch down for his debut try in Matlock colours . A weakness was evident and through good forward play from Greasley, Cooper, and Gelder they were making a solid platform for the backs to use. As a result a good move from M., Ward and Walker made space for R. Ward to touch down. First have tries were expertly converted by Flanker Donnelly as Matlock went into the interval 21-5 up.

The game turned around with Fraser , Evans Parks and Braund coming on for tired legs. This did not dent Matlocks endeavour and underpins the club philosophy as once again the visitors were camping in Market Rasen’s half. Strong running from Knowles who was tackling his heart out at full back and saved at least two tries with last ditch tackles found Cullum running on , who found space to touched down underneath the posts . Matlock were sitting pretty. As we were entering the last 10 minutes Matlocks were still putting on the pressure and just reward came for tires for Clayton, whom had played the text book flankers role and had fed of the battling hooker Webster’s commitment, and R. Ward who just would not give up chasing the ball and his opponents . All Matlocks tries were converted by Donnelly(4) Ward (1) Fraser(1). R. As the game was drawing to the close praise has to be given to Market Rasen who kept on going and scored in the last two minutes to reduce the deficit.

Well done to all who were involved.

09/08/08