Mavericks get back to winning ways

Mavericks 52 - 0 Oldershaw – Saturday 24th November 2012

A cold, & then wet, Saturday greeted Oldershaw on their short journey to Malone Fields.
After a week-end ‘off’, due to no fixture, and boosted by a couple of additions, the Mavericks sought to get back to winning ways, and that they did in fine style.
From the kick-off, the Mavericks dominated possession, and set the scene for a long afternoon at the set piece. At the ruck, at the scrum & at the line-out they spoiled any ball the opposition could think of having the pack driving forward at every opportunity.
The forwards provided the platform, the backs supplied the running lines. After some initial missed tackles, the Mav’s stepped up to the plate, nullifying the threat of Oldershaw's big running No 10. Many a time Matt Brookes put his body on the line to make the tackle, and many a time the Mav’s turned ball over. This was definitely a war of attrition in the forwards & backs, but this week it was a war the Mav’s would win.
A superb piece of play from the line-out, saw the Mavericks move the ball wide, and using the pace of the younger centres, deliver the ball into the grateful arms of veteran winger (utility player) Matt Moscrop, who side-stepped one player and ran over another to score. Conversion missed, score 5-0.
Play stayed with the Mav’s & soon Andy Smith crossed the line, after some more superb foraging from the forwards, scoring an 'Ashtonesque' try with a belly-flop, scoreline 12-0. This is when the game got ‘a bit tasty’ as both sides sought to excert their stamp on the game, with Mike Stormes & Joe Thomas looking like men possessed after every ball. With some excellent worked play, Lee Jones crossed to score and with the conversion the score was 19-0. Again the wave of Mavericks came, and another try saw Neil Brookes go over, score 24-0. More pressure saw captain Tim at No.8 gather the ball at the back of a 5 metre scrum that pushed Oldershaw over their own line, and ground it. Conversion scored half-time score 31-0.
The half-time talk was delivered by captain Tim. A man of few words, he delivered the speech of all time... ‘We need more of the same’lads! Some changes did not take anything away from the performance.
The second half saw the Mav’s uphill, but with no less of an effort. The forwards stuck to their task, and the backs did what they do best. Then came 2 brilliant tries from Lee Jones (Sat Nav as he will be known from now on, because he will take detours to the line), which split Oldershaw in two. Both conversions scored, 45-0. More sustained pressure at the line-out resulted in Bert Roberts carrying the ball within inches of the opposition line. With others waiting for their chance, Steve Williams picked up at the base of the ruck, and dived over the bodies to score the final try. Conversion complete, score 52-0 to the Mavericks.
Then came a short period where Oldershaw threatened the Mavericks line, but defence held strong, and the game was closed out.

Match highlights: Matt Brookes’ dummy & off-load for Lee Jones 3rd try, as well as his conversions from out wide. Jack Williams head-on tackle on the oppositions biggest player (tackle of the match), Joe Thomas looking like a demented octopuss around the park, and Mike Stormes wanting to take on all-comers!

Man of the Match: Jack Woolley. He bossed the game!

Special thanks to: Tony 'Brett' Roberts & Mike Potter for guesting for the opposition.
Thanks to Oldershaw 2’s for the game, and hope to see you in the near future.