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27/04/08

Titans Over power Southwell

Titans        24

Southwell 10

Titans journeyed to Southwell knowing that they had never beaten their hosts albeit several times by a whisker. But this history was soon forgotten as Titans gradually took command in this hard fought encounter. With some adjustment to positions it was Turner at outside centre who kicked through the advancing Southwell defence and then out sprinted them to score. This set the scene for the match and Titans continued to work at such a high work rate that the hosts could not match.

Titans exploited every opportunity and stretched the Southwell defence who barely had any ball to run and opted to kick possession away when they got it. This is testament to the pressure that Titans were exerting. Hague at left wing made several good breaks and Fully back Hoey maintained his composure under pressure and forced the ball back into Southwell's half. When on the defensive Titans tackled ferociously and fearlessly.

Right winger Holt took the ball and slid over the line from short range to score in the corner Southwell discovered that they were now in a game and towards the end of this first half they took advantage from a knock on and then a poor clearance to run through several missed tackles to eventually get on the score sheet.

The half time whistle came with Titans 10-5 up but they were unlucky not to score when a pass was adjudged forward and further by a great covering tackle when the try line beckoned.

Two changes at half time helped Titans keep their momentum and continuity intact and they started the second half with the same determination. Picking up on a loose ball no 8 Wright (S) ran into the Southwell 22 before kicking a head and despite being obstructed picked up the ball powering over to score in the corner. The icing on the cake for this score was the difficult kick well taken by Flyhalf Fairclough from the left.

The Titans pressure was unwavering and Southwell were struggling for possession the final try for Titans came from Turner who again placed his through kick to perfection to score virtually under the posts Fairclough coolly slotting over to convert.

Hague was just yards short when he was bundled into touch the resulting line out became an attacking scrum and a possible try scoring opportunity was thwarted unfortunately by the referee

Titans were starting to run out of steam but showed great strength and resolve and as fatigue set in Southwell scored their second try.
Southwell came back at Titan's trying to get close but superb line clearances by Turner moved Southwell away from danger zone.

The final whistle , of the last game of the season, came with Titan's deserved victors by 24-10 over a stunned Southwell who were outplayed and outgunned in all departments.
 

20/04/08
Titans hold out against Elks

Titans lost the toss but Elks chose the clubhouse end for the opening third of the game and received the kick off.

Titans looked more comfortable on the ball and the backs soon were spreading the ball out wide with good effect. Turner at fullback spearheading an attack which finished off with him running around the in goal area to touch down beneath the posts and Fairclough being successful with his conversion.

The forward battle was intense and Elks pushed the Titans pack all the way , scrum half Dixey added five more points soon after the conversion missed. The Titans forwards ran well particularly in open play and Wright (T) crashed over the line off a well executed penalty move after Elks had infringed in their own 22. Elks did not roll over but maintained their dogged determination through out the period .

The second third of the game brought about widespread changes with in the Titans team and this played into the Elks hands who had got used to the conditions and were going up through the gears only some handling errors and good Titans tackling prevented them opening their account. Hoeys at full back for Titans returned the ball well and with interest into the visitors half after a speculative kick ahead from Elks. The Elks score came through a well taken lineout throw, the catcher running at full pace and then stretching out over the line to ground through desperate Titan defenders.

Titans had to pick their game up and the forwards again drove into the Elks half, a further short range penalty gave 2nd rower Wood the momentum to ground over the line and this second period ended with Titans 24-5 ahead but the game was far from over.

The last and final period commenced and again it was Elks who showed most promise particularly in the back division which look most threatening with ball in hand desperate tackling by the Titans backs only just prevented scoring opportunities.It was a result of this pressure that Elks scored their deserved 2nd try but despite this the final whistle went with Titans happy to hold onto their 24-10 victory. The lack of continuity and fluidity from Titans allowed Elks a foot in the door and with this the visitors never gave upchasing the score.

06/04/08

Titanic Struggle but Doncaster snatch Victory

Matlock       0

Doncaster  7

These two teams had never played each other before and as the snow melted the conditions for rugby were almost ideal.
Aclosely fought battle then ensued with both sides work rate at a high level. The Matlock pack was up against much larger opposition and had to fight tooth and nail for every inch.Doncaster had height advantage in lineouts but Titan's spoiled well in the loose.

Titans were first to put together some good forward drives going close in the corner but staunch defence by Doncaster kept the Titans out.The Titan's backs were desperate for quick ball but none came and they left empty handed.

Titans backs were also in good form and were the sooner into their grooves a certain score seemed likely as Bolam at outside Centre passed to Glover (Inside Centre) against his old team but to be pulled back for an apparent forward pass.

The match swung to and fro and from an early point a low scoring match seemed the most probable outcome.

The half time whistle came and the two teams were inseparable on the score sheet.

The second half commenced with some team changes for Titans which upset their rhythm and allowed Doncaster backs to settle into their game although very few times did the ball complete its passage to the wingers all match.

Doncaster did look threatening when they ran the ball but Titans were more than a match for them in all departments.

Titans scrum half Dixey then broke way just inside his own half but was caught by the Doncaster and momentum was lost.

With the minutes running down towards a 0-0 draw, an unusual event for both teams , seemed likely but Doncaster slipped through several tackles to score in the dying moments of the game and with the conversion kicked the referee blew for full time and Doncaster had one by the solitary try. Final Score 0-7

This captivating game by these two evenly matched teams gave the Titans cruel lessons in needing to take all scoring opportunities presented and to keep battling until the final whistle.
 

30/03/08

Titans Triumph in Cromford Mud

Matlock               29

West Bridgford    7

A bright spring day greeted visitors West Bridgford and despite the sticky conditions underfoot both teams battled gamely .
The game was spilt into 3 and the first period commenced with a new look Titans team captained by Brunt for the injured Cottam. A closely contested period commenced the sheer physicality of Bridgford pack thwarted several of the Titans moves. Davis at prop contained his far larger opponent for much of the match as did the rest of the Titans forwards.The deadlock was finally broken by Wright T at No 8 forcing his way over the line to score the conversion attempt by Fairclough going wide. The rest of the period was close with neither side letting the other progress. Centre Hague showed one or two runs breaking through the Bridgford defence but the defence stood firm.

The second period of play commenced with several changes by both teams and Dxiey at scrum half was the first to show a clean pair of heels to Bridgford defenders as he danced his way through the mud to score beneath the posts .Centre Glover made no mistake with the conversion and Titans were 12-0 a head in the game. Bridgford selected a kicking game and a speculative kick was well taken by flyhalf Turner who set off on an electric run through the treacle like pitch to leave Bridgford defence stranded. A further loose kick again set up a Turner momentum try to double his tally and allow Fairclough to convert. At the end of this period Titans were 19 points up with no reply, despite Bridgfords effort.

The final third had more changes on both sides and produced a superb back movement set up by Haywood at full back which resulted in Winger Kawalek grounding the ball in the corner diving between two Bridgford players. Turner struck the conversion attempt well but the ball drifted to the right of the posts.

To match this feat Titans left winger Gallagher running at pace eluded several would be tacklers before bouncing off the last defender to spin around and score in the opposite corner.

Bridgford attacks although few threatened and their winger looked to have outpaced the entire Titans defence when he was shepherded into touch by Turner and two others just outside the 22.Titans new boy Emerson showed promise in his first game in Titan colours.

Bridgford game plan then changed in the last few minutes of the period and they used their forward strength to run short pick and drive moves and inched their way towards the Titan line. Their efforts during the whole match were rewarded with a drive for the line to score and then convert to give a final score of 34-7 to Titans. An intense game played well by both teams on what was an extremely slippery and energy sapping pitch with Titans running out worthy winners.
 

Rugby Was the Winner !
19/03/08
Matlock titans U16's                          48

Farragut High School, USA U16's    5

Matlock Colts                                     46

Farragut High School Colts, USA    5

On a bitterly cold March evening, the visitors from Farragut High School, Knoxville, Tennessee who were on a UK tour came to Cromford Meadows to play a couple of games of rugby under the lights against Matlock U16's and Colts.

The two games were played in a tremendous spirit, with great open flowing rugby from all sides involved, which certainly gave the large crowd of spectators plenty to cheer about, and to say that some of the younger boys from Farragut High had not previously played much rugby, they certainly provided good competition for the Matlock boys.The number of players who turned out for the home teams was tremendous to see, giving the Matlock Coaches the opportunity of fielding almost a different team in each half.

There was also added excitement in the period between the two matches when power supply problems meant the floodlights had to be switched off for a short while, never had the Meadows heard so many ghosts, ghouls and owls !

After the games had finished the visitors were well fed with stew and potatoes whilst the two squads exchanged memento's of the occasion and shared experiences around the differences in life, school and rugby either side of the Atlantic, and Farragut Coach Josh Holt thanked Matlock Rugby Club for their warm hospitality.

Although the scorelines from the two games showed the home teams scoring more points, there was no doubt amongst all who came along including the guests that the winner on the night was the game of Rugby.
 

16/03/08

Matlock Titans turn the tide against Coalville

Coalville  0

Matlock   7

Titans started determinedly after their last encounter at the Meadows resulted in a heavy 5-32 defeat. On Coalville's very wet and windy cutting across the pitch they squelched out to do battle.

Right from the kick off the Titan pack were magnificent and contested every scrum ruck and maul. The beleaguered Coalville pack were finding it difficult to keep up with the work rate of Titans pack in particular Hallam , Noble & Wright

The atrocious weather conditions made for a game strewn with handling errors but Titans backs adjusted to the conditions better and left Coalville to knock on more often than not. Holt at fullback made some important catches and yardage. Despite Coalville's efforts the Matlock line held with Turner, normally under high pressure, clearing the lines and centre Glover gaining valuable territory. Confident Titans ran a penalty from just outside Coalville's 22 but to no avail and came away empty handed

With the game running to and fro it was Turner at flyhalf who received the ball from Dixey at scrum half within his own half and scorched his way through the despairing defence to gleefully leap over line to score under the posts and then convert his own try.

This score came on the stroke of half time and Titans confidence was brimming and with several changes to the pack and wing the Titans momentum continued and the ferocity of the pack had desperate Coalville holding up over the line for an attacking scrum.

Coalville were reduced to charging down clearance kicks as the Titans pack gained virtually all possession and Turners late attempt was blocked and bounced into touch

Toward the end of the game the frustration started to show on Coalville pack and a flare up had to be quickly resolved although right on the whistle the Coalville No 8 was yellow carded.

With the final whistle blown the entire Titans squad could be proud not only of their well deserved victory over a good side that had well beaten them on the last encounter but also the improvement of the entire squad since that last meeting. Final score 7-0 to Matlock Titans
 

24/2/08

Sheffield do double over Valliant Matlock

Sheffield    22

Matlock        5

A tough visit to Sheffield was on the cards the season's earlier closely fought encounter at Cromford promised a fiercely contested return game. Both sides fought to establish control of the game the Matlock pack battled for every inch of territory made difficult by the swirling wind.

It was winger Holt who broke the deadlock when his sprint resulted in a fine try outpacing the Sheffield defence. Sheffield responded well and scored in the opposite corner although it appeared the scorer had a foot in touch before he grounded , the try was given and the conversion well taken to give the home side the lead.

Sheffields slim advantage remained into the second half and almost up to the 60 minute mark and then after a seemingly innocuous use of the boot by scrum half Dixey resulted in a yellow card and Matlock were suddenly down to 14 men. Sheffield pressed home their man advantage and a penalty and try resulted.

Matlock continued to work well and remained positive throughout the second half Flyhalf Turners intelligent kick and run through the Sheffield defence was blatantly blocked , preventing what would have been an almost certain try and the offender received his marching orders. The penalty awarded was subsequently reversed after some inappropriate Matlock comments and Sheffield escaped once more. The pressure continued to build with time slipping away from Matlock Sheffield 's confidence grew and resulted in a further converted try.

When the final whistle blew Sheffield appeared to be comfortable winners at 22-5 but the scored flattered them and Matlock should take positives from this encounter with emphasis on the controlled forward play and kicking out of hand as well as the staunch tackling by Matlock's three quarters.

 

03/02/08

27/01/08

Matlock lose out to enterprising Chesterfield

Matlock            5

Chesterfield   29

Buoyed up by a good result in their previous cup match Matlock hosted Chesterfield and a punishing encounter for Matlock looked on the cards.

Confidence was high but it was Chesterfield who opened the scoring before Matlock had a chance to settle., capitalising on a loose ball.
Matlock contained well and were soon in Chesterfields 22 but returned on more than one occasion empty handed. Flanker Brunt unlucky to be adjudged held up over the line and played well throughout the game.

Not long after coming on Centre Atkinson made a good powerful run only to be hauled to the ground. It was not only in attack that Matlock showed mettle with Winger Holt making several bone crunching tackles until receiving a leg injury which ended his game in the second half.

Matlock's pack performed well under severe scrummage pressure and both packs were evenly matched for most of the game.

Matlock were tantalisingly close on several occasions the ball carrier getting isolated or penalised for holding on as Chesterfield's good support play enabled them to regain the ball

Again Chesterfield made the most of a handling error and further extended their lead to 12 points and this is how the first half finished

The second half started and Chesterfield who had taken their limited scoring opportunities well, followed with another converted try and appeared to be going out of sight. Finally Matlock's perseverance paid off when scrum half Dixey jinxed his way unopposed with Chesterfield in complete disarray Turner at outside centre was in close support and touched down for Matlock. This was scant reward for all the hard work and as the home side continued to press two further tries for Chesterfield culminated a frustrating game for Matlock to run out 5-29 winners.

Despite the scoreline which flattered Chesterfield, Matlock had worked hard throughout and never stopped pressing for the try line.
 

13/01/08

Matlock edged out by Cup Holders Lincoln

Matlock 15

Lincoln  24

Lincoln, last years up winners, travelled to Matlock as favourites but plucky Matlock were not overawed by the visitors bristling with County & three Counties players.

With the wind at their backs Matlock started in a controlled manner and were soon in the visitors half. The Matlock scrum was solid and Lincoln barely sniffed the ball such was the Matlocks pack determination. Flanker Brunt's excellent charge down from a Lincoln back clearance put the marker down and he was unlucky that it rocketed off him and over the dead ball line for a 22 drop out.

Lincoln struggled to compete and Matlock's hard work paid off when an infringement on the visitor's 10m line allowed Turner at fly half to
capitalise with a well struck kick. Matlock a head 3-0.

Lincoln started to put together some good moves of their own and were rewarded with a try after a way ward pass but Matlock's forwards roll round move allowed Prop Noble to crash over the try line in the corner, the resulting conversion drifting wide.

More passes drifted frustratingly forwards from Matlock's back moves which prevented further scoring opportunities

The fiercely contested game swung from half to half and this entertaining half finished with Matlock up by 8-5.

Lincoln clearly shaken in the first half had regained some composure and produced a converted try to lead 8-12, Matlock were finding it difficult to adapt to the wind in their faces . Lincolns kicking power came more into play and with element of luck a chasing back took his opportunity and his try was duly converted. Matlock fought back with a well directed kick upfield from Centre Bolam opened play up and Turner threaded his way through a disorganised defence to dive over under the posts and then convert his own try. 15-19 Matlock were back within striking distance of Lincolns score.

The high work rate by the entire Matlock team was maintained through out the game and Lincoln looked shaky with their lead.But finished off with a flurry with a fine swerving run into the corner for the final score at 15-24 and Matlock missing out on a bonus point.

Despite the scoreline Matlock put in a great all-round performance and for much of the game had Lincoln on the back foot ,who were lucky to escape with the win.
 

06/01/2008

Matlock over come Kesteven in Cup

Kesteven           7

Matlock U16s 32


Matlock U16 opened their Cup quest and travelled to hosts Kesteven the bright clear skies and chilling wind greeting them.
Kesteven , fielding some U15 Players , so no supporting at line outs was agreed.

Winning the toss Matlock elected to kick off with the sun and wind at their backs.

For the first twenty minutes both sides tentatively got the measure of each other but it was Matlock who got into their stride first, very rarely did Kesteven get out of their own twenty two but Matlock failed to capitalize on their majority of ball possession.Winger Kawalek being bundled into touch and good defensive tackling by Kesteven

It was good handling by Wright S( No 8) who released prop Hallam who drove powerfully over the line at the twenty minute mark and although the conversion was missed Matlock settled down and scored twice more in the next ten minutes with scrum half Dixey scoring from Kestevens twenty two on a mesmerising run. On the half hour his half back partner Turner at flyhalf scored in the opposite corner off a very slick back move Glover at centre giving the try scoring pass.

Kesteven rocked back on their heels by these quick fire scores were stunned and rarely looked like they would reply to the Matlock.

At the end of the half Matlock lead 15- 0

The second half began with Matlock into the sun and wind but Matlock soon extended their score when Brunt (Flanker) pounced on scrappy ball from the Kesteven scrum to score his first for Matlock. Flyhalf Turner on target with his conversion. Several changes were made half way through the second half to allow all the squad some game time.

Kesteven rallied and several good moves were squashed by staunch Matlock tackling. Resorting to kick over into space Matlock's Hoey at Fullback picked up well and ran the ball back into Kestevens half. With Kesteven looking more dangerous by the minute Turner picking up an over ambitious Kesteven kick from his own ghosted at pace through the entire defence to gleefully score under the posts incredibly the conversion was missed but Matlock were comfortably ahead.

It was winger Holt unlucky not to score in the first half who completed the scoring with a well crafted move resulting in a 32-0 lead .

Matlock were unlucky not to extend their scoring further with a try by Wright being disallowed with Kesteven in disarray.
Glover at centre made some powerful runs gaining valuable field position

However Kesteven were not giving up and after being given a penalty in front of Matlocks posts scored and duly converted to put some respectability to the score.

Final score Kesteven 7- Matlock 32 which gives Matlock the points and a bonus point , an encouraging start to Matlocks cup campaign with more to come from Matlock.

Next Game is at home again in the Cup against Lincoln this Sunday.
 

14/10/07

Matlock Win Close Encounter with Derby

Matlock   3

Derby      0

This promised to be a keenly contested and close match and it proved to be uncompromising as the teams battered each other for the duration. Winning the toss Matlock kicked off and so began the struggle, both evenly matched teams, putting in tremendous effort .

The game swung from one half to the other and when Derby gave away a penalty in their own half Matlock's flyhalf Glover 's aim was true and the ball sailed between the uprights. 3-0 to Matlock.

Soon after, due to an injury to one of the Derby front row, and no suitable replacements in their squad, non contested scrums then started .

Derby started to pressurize the Matlock line and were soon flowing to be thwarted by some resolute tackling . Matlock too had some great flowing moves with Winger Holt putting a foot in touch yards short of the try .From the resulting line out Cottam & Cullen soared and Matlock forwards pressed and only some sterling defensive tackling by Derby prevented the try in goal.

The half finished with Matlock maintaining their lead.

Straight from the restart a nicely placed kick off bounced into touch giving Derby some territorial advantage but this was short lived and the resulting clearance kick from Glover off scrum half Mernaghs pass, found touch . Centre Bolam put in some fine kicks. Derby set up some good running moves and like Matlock saw the try line beckon and had scores prevented, full back Hoey tackling the man into touch.

This close contest flowed from end to end and there was no let up in the intensity of both teams which continued onto the final whistle.

A highly competitive and fiercely contested game but Matlock's great team spirit helped them secure the win.

07/10/07

30/09/07

Southwell keep upper hand over  Matlock

Matlock   U16     7

Southwell U16  10

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Matlock took to the field to avenge the Plate semi final defeat by their visitors.  Previous encounters were close and this game proved no different.The home side were soon  into their stride and had Southwell on the back foot but were unable to capitalize on the possession and territory Southwell rucking well and mopping up any loose ball. In the scrums  Matlock fared better and Hebden struck well for Dixey at scrum half to chip and then collect to score . Flyhalf Glover duly converted and the home were justly ahead.