A hydraulic control system (24) for a work machine (10) is disclosed. The hydraulic control system has a source (26) of pressurized fluid and at least one actuator (20) having a first and a second chamber (58, 56). The hydraulic control system also has a first independent metering valve (36) disposed between the source and the first chamber, and a second independent metering valve (34) disposed between the reservoir and the second chamber. The first and second independent metering valves each have a valve element movable between a flow blocking and a flow passing position to facilitate movement of the at least one actuator. The hydraulic control system further has an accumulator (40) and a third independent metering valve (42) disposed between the source and the first independent metering valve. The third independent metering valve is configured to selectively communicate the accumulator with the first chamber to cushion movement of the at least one actuator.