Tamworth visited Matlock at the weekend with a team ravaged by injury and illness with a clear message that what is important now is how they respond to what has been torrid season more so than the results that may still be to come as they build towards next season.
The game didn’t get off to the best of starts for Tamworth as they lost outside centre Olly Cole after just five minutes following a clash of heads. This required an early reshuffle in personnel.
Tamworth were playing up the sizable slope in the first half and were initially quite competitive but Matlock soon found their feet when their winger found some room around the outside to score the first of what would be a trio of tries for the Matlock speed merchant. This signalled the wheels falling off Tamworth’s first half resistance who’s only addition to a very one sided scoreboard was a penalty from Ben Wildes who had taken over kicking duties for the day.
With the game effectively over by the break the half time message was to forget the score line but go back out there and play some rugby come what may and try and get some enjoyment out of the game without pressure.
Tamworth did just, with the slope now in their favour they looked a different team from the one that had struggled in the first half as they swept forward with the pack making some strong carries and the backline finally getting the ball through the hands finally making Matlock work a to keep them out.
Their second half play finally paid dividends when after a sustained period of pressure on the Matlock line they eventually found a route over the whitewash Liam McGreevy crashing over to give them the try they deserved. Wildes added the extras.
Although Matlock more than deserved the comfortable victory Tamworth should be applauded for the spirit they showed in the second half and have a week off this week where some tired broken bodies have a bit of time to recover.
Final Score
Matlock 81
Tamworth 10