Loughborough defeated despite spirited fightback
LOUGHBOROUGH 13
MATLOCK 19 DESPITE a spirited second half performance, Loughborough are still searching for their first league win of the season after a narrow loss to division leaders Matlock RFC.
Matlock took an early lead with two tries (one unconverted) before Loughborough pulled one back before the break. The visitors managed a further score just after halftime but despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession Loughborough were not able to capitalise and went down 19-13.
Pre-match confidence was high for Loughborough’s first home league game of the season as their last encounter with the visitors resulted in a dramatic victory for the men in old gold and navy.
The home team started well enjoying 10 minutes of sustained pressure and possession. Unfortunately this early dominance did not result in points and against the run of play, Matlock scored first - a well worked lineout eventually leading to a member of the pack bundling over the whitewash from close range.
Matlock were now in the ascendancy and were it not for the superb last ditch defence of full back Steven Sands, Loughborough would have found themselves at least two further tries down within the next 15 minutes.
Then came the first moment of controversy. During a bright attack by Matlock, prop Huw Evans, bewilderingly found himself in midfield and even more astoundingly backed himself to make an interception. Sadly, Evans’ endeavours were in vain, his hand knocking the ball on and down and deemed illegal by the ref whose opinion was the Welshman prevented a try scoring opportunity. A penalty - yes; a yellow card? Harsh. Matlock took full advantage of the extra man and scored a converted try to take a 12-0 lead.
In the face of this adversity, Loughborough steeled themselves and started to string some phases together. The offensive shape was good with hard yards consistently being made by Jamie Grice, Scott Pears and Gaz Bottomly.
This good work earned Loughborough a penalty midfield which was kicked to the corner of Matlock’s 22. Good build up work from the forwards created space out wide allowing Sands to bust onto the ball, break the line and score next to the posts. Tom Kirkby couldn’t add the extras so the score remained 5-12.
Frustration started to creep into the Loughborough team which resulted in a fracas deep in the homeside’s 22. Greg Biddle emerged as the protagonist and was given 10 minutes to think about retaliating to some niggly play from his opposite number (who was also given a yellow card) meaning both teams finished the half with 14 men.
Matlock scored early in the second half, a well worked back’s move culminating in a scything line for their full-back was enough to open up the Loughborough defence and a try under the posts to give Matlock at 19-5 lead.
Boro responded well though and were inspired by veteran Aaron Brown who broke to advance deep into Matlock territory. Loughborough were now hammering the Matlock line and the pressure eventually told as Sands bundled over for his second of the match which again was unconverted to make the score 19-10.
For the remaining 20 minutes Matlock put up a superb rear-guard action to keep Loughborough from scoring again. Moments of brightness were counter-balanced by simple errors when in the ascendancy meaning Loughborough again came up short. A late field goal ensured a losing bonus point but Loughborough left the pitch thinking again of what might have been.
Skipper for the day Jamie Grice was encouraged by the performance again highlighting the pack’s dominance: “We’re clearly the strongest forward unit in the league with strength in depth. We’re implementing a new system of playing this season and once it clicks we’ll be a handful for any team we come up against.”
Special mention must go to Steven Sands who made at least three try saving tackles which, coupled with his own brace of scores meant he was the standout player of the day.
On Saturday, (October 7) Loughborough lay in the national cup away at Old Laurentians RFC with the next league game against Newark, also away, on October 14.