Matlock Rugby News from David Hood (20th Feb 2017)

Well would you believe it! There was another Matlock Blue Boys game on Saturday and what a game!

Coach Chris Loeber sent the following late news item to the VP Editor for circulation:

"The second’s entertained National League side Sheffield Tigers second string and produced a sensational performance.

Matlock 2^nd 37  Sheffield Tigers 2^nd 15

Our opponents from National League side Sheffield Tigers warmed up like internationals – had we bitten off more than we could chew?

The answer was an emphatic “No”. Aggressive at the breakdown and clinical in possession Matlock produced a stunning first half performance. Sheffield simply could not live with Matlock’s pace, accuracy and support. They were stunned and blown away.

In previous weeks Matlock’s backs had provided the cutting edge but this week it was a total 15 man performance with backs and forwards interpassing and totally bamboozling their illustrious opponents. It was 25 – 0 at half time. It doesn’t matter who scored – the entire 20 man squad was magnificent.

Inevitably Sheffield came back into the game in the second period but Matlock were never threatened and ran out comfortable 37 – 15 winners.

Phil Braund was voted man of the match but, in reality , it could have been any one of the Matlock players.

The challenge for the seconds is to keep this excellent form going. This will be tested this Friday evening when a strong Belper development team visit the Meadows for a 7.30 kick off. Rugby and a pint  - could you think of a better way of spending your evening.

Matlock 2^nd’s ; James Waterhouse, Mark Thornley ( Harry Hunt) , Harry Boyd, Mike Gunter ( Adam Gallagher), Marcus Bolam; Chris Buckley, Chris Perry (capt); Conor Laughnane ( Dave Ball) , Harry Stephenson, Daz Smith ( Tom Neville ) ; James Painter ( Adam Twyford) Matt Fenton, Ollie Beesley, Phil Braund, Rory Cookman.

Chris"

Yours in Matlock Rugby

David

_______________________________________________________________

ASHBOURNE 1ST XV 12  MATLOCK BLUE BOYS    12  

Only one senior fixture this week to report on with the Blue Boys coming away from their nearest neighbours with a strong second half performance to earn a draw.

Both 'Scoop Hooton' and 'Paparazzi' Baker submitted their reports and photos below:

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/matlock/teams/9812/match-centre/1-2158819

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/matlock/photos/ashbourne-12-v-matlock-12-721825.html

Next Saturday the Blue Boys play Spalding in a rearranged game at Cromford with a 2.15pm kick off. 

A combined 2nd and 3rd team will play our friends from down the A6 Belper on Friday evening at Cromford Meadows kicking off at 7.30pm. So come along to both games and support the Blue Boys.

VICE PRESIDENTS LUNCH – 4TH MARCH

I would ask those who have not booked or indeed paid for the above event to do so as quickly as possible. There are a few places left for this extravaganza.

Please contact Ian McCluskey to avoid disappointment. His contact details can be obtained from the attached booking form.

Don’t forget those quality donations for our wonderful raffle and auction!!!

90TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION DINNER OF MATLOCK RUGBY CLUB

Bookings are going well for this fabulous event which will be held at The County Hall, Matlock on Saturday 1st July at 7pm. The evening entertainment will consist of:

Champagne and Canapé Reception

Sumptuous Dinner

Live Band

Celebrity Rugby Guest (tba)

All at £50 per head and our beautiful ladies are made very welcome. Tables of 10 are available.

Dress code will be black tie or lounge suits (dress to impress)

If that is not impressive let me tell you that Jepo and his lovely wife will be flying over from Italy to attend this quality event.

Yours in Matlock Rugby

David

Matlock Rugby- December Newsletter

This week's Newsletter will start with Matlock 2nd and 3rd XVs who continue to make this wonderful club of ours proud

Its always nice to get these reports from one of 'England's leading journalists' and a 'diplomat' to boot!! Early this morning I received 'Scoop' Loeber's action report and I mean action! How often have we heard and indeed experienced such disgusting behaviour at Ashfield. The Matlock Blue Boys continue to rise above it and continue to play and behave in accordance with the laws of rugby union. Well done the Blue Boys!

Here’s a brief roundup of the way the 2^nd’s and 3^rd’s spent their Saturday afternoons:

Ashfield 2^nd 5   Matlock 2^nd  55

When Tupton 1^st’s cried off it seemed a good idea to take a pool fixture away at Ashfield. Unfortunately it proved to be a bad decision as, both on the pitch and on the touchline Ashfield ‘s view of what is acceptable behaviour differed from ours.

A description of Ashfield’s conduct on the pitch would, I’m afraid, make the blood boil, so I’ll limit myself to the comment that we will not be taking “friendly fixtures “ against Ashfield in the foreseeable future.

Being charitable we could take the view that such conduct was the only way they could try to counter our attacking 15 man style. We’re definitely improving and some of our tries were quite stunning. Wingers Morgan Miles and Mark Thornley were outstanding with young Mark’s two tries earning him the coveted MOTM award. But in the words of that great Anglophile Eddie Jones “there’s a lot of improvement to come”.

Off the pitch the referee has said that his match report will include reference to the constant abuse both he and our players were subjected to by some of the Ashfield  spectators . All in all not a pleasant afternoon.

Tupton 2nds 26   Matlock 3rds 22

So Tupton gained revenge for their defeat at the Meadows the previous week. Captain Bruce was adamant that had they played for just 5 more minutes “we would have had them”

Players of the weekend were undoubtedly Jonny Bunting and Paul Lane. When told that the seconds had 19 players and the thirds only 14 they were more than happy to go with the thirds – club men through and through. Or did they use their vast experience to conclude that the Tupton experience was likely to be a whole lot more fun?!

This coming Saturday ( 10^th December) the seconds take a rest but the thirds entertain Ashbourne in a league encounter , kick off 2.15.

Matlock 1st XV vs Market Bosworth

After a weekend off from league action the 1st XV squad have ben training hard in preparation for the next league match at Cromford on Saturday against our friends down the road, Market Bosworth. Lets get behind the Blue Boys and encourage them to take another leap up the league. It was interesting to see that the league leaders, Melbourne, drew 14-14 with Loughborough who we defeated at Loughborough 29-8 over a week ago!

Lets have a good turnout of Vice Presidents, friends and family to show our support for Matlock Rugby 1st and 3rd XV.

Thank you

David

P.S. congratulations go to England for recording their 13th consecutive victory, said through gritted teeth but in the spirit of rugby union!!

(Newsletter courtesy of David Hood- Matlock Rugby )