Matlock put Huntingdon to the sword for key win

Matlock recorded another victory in their fight to escape relegation - and with Huntingdon only six points ahead of them this was a crucial encounter.

From the kick-off both sides played with intensity and control.

Matlock were soon ahead when from a ruck just inside their half, the ball was moved to Nick Coombes who then passed wide to Henri Packard who raced up the wing and side stepped past two defenders before racing the remaining 40 yards to touchdown under the posts. Fairclough added the conversion.

A penalty got Huntingdon on the scoreboard but Matlock stretched their lead when Dan Hooton showed great strength and with support from Twyford, broke through the first tackle, fended and stepped past two others and when finally stopped just short of the line managed a sublime offload to Howard who crossed over for a try out wide. The conversion attempt was wide.

With the score at 12-3 Matlock were beginning to look in control of the game and the third score was not long in coming, as Packard went over again after good work by Neville. Fairclough added the extras.

Huntingdon weren’t lying down and earned a converted try before half-time to reduce the arrears to 19-10.

The visitors then added a penalty early in the second-half but after a spell of pressure and a disallowed try due to a knock-on, Matlock registered again as a missed pass just inside the Huntingdon half gave Packard room on the outside and he combined with Hooton to set up Howard to score, the conversion missed.

Huntingdon still refused to give up the cause and registered their second try after the Matlock defensive wall was breached, and the last eight minutes of the match saw some tense moments but a jubilant Matlock held out for a much deserved 24-20 victory.

Matlock will play their penultimate league game this weekend with a visit to old rivals Ilkeston, kick-off 3pm.