OVERVIEW
MATLOCK 1ST XV NEWS
You may or may not know that the Matlock 1st XV game against
Spalding was called off yesterday as a result of an accident to one of the cars
bringing the Spalding players over to Cromford. Dave Toone has spoken to Spalding this morning and its just
minor injuries, couple of broken fingers he thinks but relayed the club's best
wishes.
MATLOCK 2ND XV 51 ASHBOURNE 3RD XV 5
Matlock Blue Boys had the Meadows to themselves and coach Chris
Loeber and his team submitted the attached report including a few words on the
thirds:
'Paparazzi' Colin Baker, undertook to take as many photographs of this
game under terrible wintry conditions, so hopefully the following link will
give you an idea of what the players and Col had to endure!!!!
VICE PRESIDENTS LUNCH
I would appeal to those Vice Presidents who have not booked
and paid for the lunch on 4th March to do so as quickly as possible. Please
contact Ian McCluskey. See attached.
Those who are attending can you ensure you bring down the usual
'high quality' items for the Les type raffle and auction!! Look out those
unwanted Christmas presents including after shave and alcohol! Thank
you.
90TH CELEBRATIONS – 1ST JULY
As you know from previous communications we are also taking
bookings and payments for the above event. Please reserve through David Hood in
the absence of 'Les the Oz lover'.
FIXTURES – 18TH FEBRUARY
The 1st and 3rd XV squads will travel the 'long distance' to
Ashbourne with a 2.15 kick off whilst the 2nd XV host Mansfield at
Cromford also with a 2.15pm kick off.
Please support the Blue Boys.
Yours in Matlock Rugby
David Hood
Matlock Vice Presidents
Chris Loeber Report
It was winter down at the Meadows. However, snow
on the surrounding hills and cold hands didn’t stop Matlock and Ashbourne
providing excellent entertainment in advance of the England game.
With the first team game having been postponed at
short notice the seconds were heartened to see so many first teamers down to
support them. With first team coach Mike Brookes also on the touchline there
was added incentive to impress.
And impress they did. Ashbourne are always proud
and committed. It seemed that Matlock would have it all their own way but,
after 15 minutes of dominance the score was 5 all! But on the back of a
dominant scrum we started to produce some stunning rugby. 17 year old Sam Doiley
made his senior debut on the wing. His first 2 touches brought him 2 tries –
there’s nothing to this senior rugby lark is there!
All the backs excelled and with Conor Laughnane
leading a forward surge to the line the game was won by half time. Matlock
didn’t ease off and scored a number of team tries in the second half. Phil
Braund crossed for a hat trick the best of which being when he was on hand to
finish off a move that went through 10 pairs of hands.
Ashbourne stuck to their task but the result was
convincing. In fact the only uncertainty was the score – was it 10 tries or
just 9? On Sunday Chris Buckley was moved to comment that although his kicking
was “ a bit off” it was much better than that Scottish guy who missed from in
front of the posts!
Matlock – Tom Stokes, Harry Stephenson, Conor
Laughnane, Dave Ball, Matt Fenton, Phil Braund, Stef Jackson, Rory Cookman,
Chris Perry ( capt) Chris Buckley, Sam Doiley, Marcus Bolam, Mike Gunter, Mark
Thornley, James Waterhouse. Replacements: Elliott Boam, Luke Howard, Curtis
Bolam, James Harrod.
So the seconds maintain their position at the top
of their Pennant League and are in League action again this Saturday when they
entertain Mansfield 2’s.
Bakewell 2nd 5 Matlock 3rd
7
Sadly this game was abandoned just into the
second half following a serious knee injury to a Bakewell player – we wish him
a speedy recovery.
