Ilkeston 2nds 10

Matlock bounced back from defeat at Loughborough with this hard-fought league victory over Ilkeston to complete the double over their Derbyshire rivals.

Whilst not performing to their full potential, Matlock can take heart from the fact that although having played poorly, they still won the game.

The only worrying aspect is that for the second week running they did not score any tries, with five penalties from the boot of Tom Morton following another flawless kicking display to show for their endeavours.

However it was not for the want of trying and on another day when passes do go to hand, Matlock will take the chances that are being created.

Matlock dominated the opening exchanges and for the first 20 minutes spent long periods deep in Ilkeston territory.

Morton converted two penalties to give Matlock a 6-0 lead, but similarly to the previous week, the home team should have put more points on the board.

Matlock’s failure to control the ball when well placed and subsequent concession of turnovers allowed Ilkeston to come back into the match.

Playing a simple tactic of putting the ball into the home 22 from numerous penalties awarded to them, the visitors’ effective rolling maul following clean takes in the line-out, allowed them to cross for two unconverted tries.

Shortly before the break Morton add ed his third penalty of the afternoon to leave the game well poised at 10-9 to the visitors at half-time.

The second-half was a scrappy, disjointed affair with neither side really taking the initiative, but eventually the home side prevailed.

The only noteworthy highlight was when the referee awarded two eminently kickable penalties for Morton, who took both of his opportunities at goal, to give Matlock an insurmountable 15-10 lead.

Matlock had to weather some late pressure from the visitors, but their defence held firm as they saw out time to take a well-earned victory.