HUDDERSFIELD Academy visited Matlock for a friendly ‘run-out’ and slipped to a 21-19 defeat in Derbyshire.
With only 15 players available, several of the Lockwood Park boys were called upon to play in different positions from which they are used to, including Tom Guinan who was making his first appearance of the year.
And it was he who made the initial breakthrough, crashing over by the posts for a try converted by Booth, although Matlock were enjoying the bulk of possession and territorial advantage.
But in the second foray into the opposition’s 22, Harry Ainsworth beat three defenders to score Huddersfield’s second try under the posts with Booth again adding the conversion for a 14-0 lead.
Matlock responded quickly through their speedy full-back who raced past three defenders to make it 14-7 before one of the home wingers levelled the contest when he raced down the touchline beating some unusually lame defence and send the teams in level at the break.
It was a scrappy game in the second half with neither side’s defence looking ready to part and Huddersfield showing a lack of patience.
With 15 minutes remaining the visitors found some rhythm and after a few good phases of passing, Elliot Knight handed off his opposite number and outpaced the defence to cross the line.
Booth missed the conversion, but it seemed Huddersfield would grind out the win. However, Matlock’s full-back again took over and scored a brilliant individual try under the posts, the conversion leaving the home side 21-19 ahead with a minute to play.
Although Matlock knocked on from the re-start, the referee ruled there was not enough time to continue and blew the final whistle.
It’s back to the league campaign for Huddersfield starting at home to Wetherby tomorrow.
