Port Sunlight v Mavericks

Port Sunlight v Mavericks 5th January 2013
Mavericks kick off 2013 with a great comeback!

The first game of the New Year saw Mavericks travel to Port Sunlight for the 4th meeting between the sides this season.
It’s always great when one of the Mav’s says “Can you look after my phone, if it rings whilst I’m on the pitch it will be my wife – she’s about to give birth, so can you shout me!” Priceless, but it shows what the Mavericks means to some players!
Yet again there were a few new faces in the opposition, and a squad of 23 awaited the Mav’s.
Sunlight had obviously beefed up their pack after the previous encounters, and it showed in the early set pieces.
Playing on a slope that resembled Kilimanjaro, the first half kicked off with the Mavericks downhill. But against play it was Sunlight who took the advantage. After some strong scrimmaging, the ball was passed out to their strong carriers & an early score meant 5-0.
It felt like it was going to be a long afternoon.
Play resumed and after some sloppy play from both sides, the Mav’s got their mojo back. From a scrum the Mav’s took the ball on, retaining possession & giving quick ball for the backs. Some neat interplay saw the ball go to Andy Smith who, ‘Sonny Bill style’ offloaded to Jack Woolley who ran in to score under the posts. Matt Moscrop, the days designated kicker, converting to take the lead 5-7.
Strong play from both sides saw possession won & lost, and chances go begging as each pushed for advantage.
Then Sunlight kicked into gear, and again against the slope ran in to score a converted try. 20 mins gone: 12-7 to Sunlight. But this only served to waken the Mavericks, and after some pressure at the scrum, 10 metres out, the Mav’s retained possession, gave the ball to the backs for Andy Smith to crash over & score, again converted by Matt. Half time score 12-14 to the Mavericks.
The second half continued in the same vein, only this time the Mav’s had the slope to contend with. Wave after wave of Sunlight attacks came, with manful tackling especially from Nev Pickard & Jack Williams. The Mavericks could only hold out for so long before the tackle count would take its’ toll. Sunlight put the ball out to their nippy backs who ran in comfortably, and a converted score saw them take the lead once more. 50mins gone 19-14 to Sunlight.
The game then entered a period of kicking for territory, with both sides making little headway.
That is until 70mins in. 15m out from Sunlights line, Mav’s were awarded a penalty. Someone called ‘4 ball’, then realised Spot wasn’t playing. A corrected call saw a deft move off-loaded to Captain Tim who crashed through a myriad of bodies to score, again converted by Matt.
More intense forwards pressure, and great running from the backs forced a knock-on close to Sunlights lines. The Mavericks scrum put Sunlight under immense pressure. Controlled by Captain Tim at No. 8, and ordered by scrum half Jack, the scrum forced Sunlights No. 8 to stray offside. Another penalty! Quick thinking saw Jack Woolley tap & go , scoring under the post, with Matt unable to miss the easy slot over.
Final score 19-28 to the Mavericks.
Scores this week: Jack Woolley (2), Andy Smith, Tim Woodward. Mat Moscrop 4 cons.
Game notables: Graham Keen stepping into the front row early on in the game, the packs dominance later on despite obvious size difference, Jack Williams’ numerous superb tackles, Jack Woolley playing years ahead of himself & bossing the forwards & Sonny Bill’s off-load.
Man of the Match: Jack Wolley – and well deserved!
Thanks to Port Sunlight for the game, we will probably cross paths again before the end of the season!
Good luck for the rest of the season.