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After the huge dissappointment of losing away to bottom of the league Grimsby in the final kick of the game, Retford's play-off chances rested on this vital encounter against a fast-improving Matlock side, confident after their own 38-0 demolition of the same Grimsby side one week previous.

Retford were forced into making changes to their side due to the unavailabilty of probably their two most influential forward players, Daniel Cribbis and Jeff Hopkinson. NLD U17 second-row Josh Witton therefore made his first start for the side whilst Jordan Mee moved from centre to flanker. The reliable back line remained at full strength for the match.

Many players had been involved in senior first and second team action the day previous (notably hooker Shaun Turner who had given a fantastic display at hooker for the firsts and winger Daniel Taliyuli who had recieved man of the match for the seconds) and the early exchanges highlighted this, as Matlock dominated the early proceedings. Though Retford's renowned solid defence could not be breached despite some powerful forward runners from Matlock crashing in. The in form Matthew Brash put his body on the line several times to make sure Matlock would not break through, he showed tremendous courage whilst doing so as he battled for Retford possession. Unfortunately for Brash and his fellow back-rowers Mee and Eccelsall, their front 5 forwards were not showing the same commitment and enthusiasm to make it to breakdown areas as they were and this was resulting on Retford losing the ball.

Only the safe boot of 16 year old fly-half Chris Williams was rescuing Retford as he continually pinned Matlock back into their own half, finding touch with superb accuracy. The game was beginning to be played in Matlock territory and as Jordan Mee and Matthew Brash isolated their powerful prop forward, the man was forced to hold on to the ball on the floor and Retford's Chris Williams made no mistake in dispatching the penalty 30 yards out to give Retford an undeserved 0-3 lead. This should have been the signal for Retford to go on and dominate the game, but Matlock continued to boss all ruck and scrum areas. They were to be denied a try for a knock-on over the line before finally drawing level with a penalty of their own. 3-3.

As the half-time whistle blew a sluggish Retford were hauled away from the spectators by coach Gary Woodcock who gave his Retford team, deservedly, the 'bollocking' of their lifetime. Although the defence had held firm and Retford had been playing into a strong wind, the coach was angry at his front-fives lack of passion and drive on the field. Changes were therefore made, with Tiernan Hayes making his first appearance back for the colts since breaking his collar bone over three months ago and Keelan Ward and Mitchell Rose also entered straight into the pack to give the front 8 a more mobile look.

The team that came out in the second half were almost unrecognisable to that in the first, instantly playing with a much more confident swagger and the backs were finallly able to show their flare as the pack secured the ball much quicker. As Luke Borton's beautiful decoy run carried half the back line with him, Colin Bower was able to recieve Chris Williams' pass in acres of space, before cooly rounding the winger to score Retford's first try, which of course Williams then converted. 3-10.

Retford were now in control of the match. The likes of front row Joe Helliwell and Liam Street were now beginning to show why they're so highly rated at senior level as they hit breakdowns with ferocious power. Moments later a crossfield kick from Chris Williams almost found the hands of Matthew Brash and Tiernan Hayes waiting to pounce for a second try, though the opportunity was missed as a Matlock winger thwarted their efforts. A second try was to arrive soon though and it would again be the 10,12,13 combination which would do the damage. With Williams finding Borton taking up anot

IN FORM RETFORD STUN LEADERS DERBY

Big city opponents Derby arrived at small town Retford, swaggering their way through the home teams 'ramshackle' clubhouse. So relaxed were the confident league leaders, that they opted to enjoy massages before the match instead of using their time to focus on a warm-up. Having comfortably dispatched a poor Retford side just prior to christmas, their side were expectant of a similar result on Retford turf. And unfortunately Retford did nothing in the opening thirty minutes to dispell any such myth.

As the match got underway it became instantly clear that the young and inexperienced referee would struggle to control the match, missing an obvious knock-on from a Derby second-row underneath the high drop-off. Derby were able to capitalise on the referees mistake and began to slowly grind their way up field. Retford's pack were standing up to the test, with flankers Matthew Brash, Ash Eccessall and hooker Shaun Turner in particular putting their bodies on the line. Though it was proving to not be enough for Retford as Derby continued to chip away at their defence. Similarly in the previous match, Derby were dominating the ruck area far too easily. Retford were forced to play without the ball for the opening ten minutes of the game and were soon penalised 40 meters out as David Ruzicka entered a ruck from the side. The kick was powerfully converted by Derby who were at this stage well worth their lead. 0-3.

Retford continued to struggle to find any sort of rhythm in the game as Derby played consistently for safe possession. Little ball was spread further than the Derby kicker as a tight rucking game prevailed. When eventually Retford did manage to turnover Derby ball they attempted a quick counter attack down the wing. But as the ball was spread wide, centre Luke Borton found himself isolated by his backs and under pressure from two Derby back-row players was forced into conceding another penalty. This kick was more straight forward than the opener and was cooly converted. 0-6. Retford captain Michael Phillips and influential number 8 Daniel Cribbis (who had been at the centre of the controversy in the previous match) took Jeff Hopkinsons place in dishing out the stern warnings to their team-mates. The Retford players hadn't arrived in the match yet and the Derby players were already beginning to sense victory.

It was at this stage that the Retford pack began to stand-up and make themselves counted. Derby would not be allowed the easy ball they had so far recieved and their intelligent scrum-half was to be given a harsh time from Mike Phillips for the remainder of the encounter (and we all know how annoying he is without trying to be anyway!).

The tide began to turn as Retford's players realised that given the right sort of effort and commitment they were no worse than their tough opponents. With a platform for Retford's fast-improving back-line now being formed, the likes of Chris Williams, Luke Borton and Colin Bower were now beginning to find dints in the Derby armour. But just as things were beginning to look up for Retford the side was dealt a hammer-blow on the stroke of half time. With Cribbis running blind down the wing, his supporting player Desire Mupuzi began to call for the ball. Unfortunately the pass was too predictable and as such was intercepted by the Derby number 8, who gifted a free run under the posts from just 20 metres out made no mistake. With the kick easily converted Retford looked down at half-time, trailing 0-13.

With key U19 pack players, such as myself, Nathan Caudy John Aldred and Jeff Hopkinson all missing through injury (the latters excuse not being injury, but being a student lay-about) Retford were forced to called upon U17 players Keelan Ward (scorer of over ten tries for his normal side this season) and Josh Witton (recently selected to trial for the NLD County side). Credit must be given to these two players as they gave good accounts for the