Matlock denied by late penalty in close game

Having had a difficult start to the season Matlock were hoping to build on the previous week’s improved performance away at high-flying Old Northamptonians.

As the scoreline suggests this game lived up to the fine history between the two sides with the result only being finally determined by a late penalty kick.

Matlock couldn’t have asked for a better start. Barely five minutes into the game they recycled the ball on half way and after a break forward and a Paviors fumble on the line, Elliot Boam was on hand to touch down for the first score near the posts. Young uncharacteristically missed the simple conversion.

Paviors responded strongly and soon answered back by scoring under the posts from a controversial line-out, the conversion successful to put them 7-5 up.

Eventually Paviors extended their lead to 5-14 with another converted try following a catch and drive but Matlock responded well with a well worked try in the scoreboard corner as Henri Packard bounced over the line taking the score to 10-14 at half-time.

The second-half remained very evenly balanced and it was Matlock who took the lead when Paviors tried to run the ball from just inside their own half and a loose pass was intercepted by the alert Packard who raced away under the posts for a converted try.

Paviors again responded well and forced their way over for another try soon afterwards, the conversion missed, and a penalty then put them 22-17 ahead.

Matlock were still not finished and scored the best try of the match with Packard claiming his hat-trick after good work from Dan Hooton and Young.

With the score tied at 22-22 the result could have gone either way, but Matlock gave away a silly penalty for offside at the ruck gifting a valuable three points to the opposition, despite late pressure from the hosts.

Next week Matlock travel to bottom club Peterborough in what is a must-win game.