Semi-final v Wythenshawe

So……. there’s games of rugby then there’s Games Of Rugby. Todays fixture was special both as an event, a spectacle, and a moment in Mavs history to be recognised.
In order to prevent the gaffer exhausting the thesaurus with superlatives it must be remembered that as far as this cup run is concerned the best is yet to come. The semi final performance from The Mavs was the stuff of bar room stories for a long time yet. The tries, the sliding tackles, the referee and his unique communication style all of which are added to the melting pot of the plate semi-final.
The Gaffer was in determined mood for this weeks Clash of the Titans and presented a strong squad which contained the ingredients to create quite a tasty meal.
For our starter we were presented with a rich meaty broth with a cheeky little front five consisting of Joe Thomas, Jay Holcroft and a young upstart of a chap going by the name of Craig Jones. The latter creating some barrelesque shaped holes into any wall the opposition attempted to build. The impressive second row pairing of Gorgeous George Bennett and the less gorgeous more haggard Alan Mountford promised a piston generating engine room to get the scrums and set piece no wing in the right direction.
The fish course presented a slippery, elusive, yet ultimately potentially deadly back row trio of Chris Ford, Cal Peers and Rick Evans, the shark like presence or Evans at 8 ever a threat with the rapid tuna like speed of Ford supported by the power of the Cal ‘The Marlin’ Peers on the blind side allowed for an impressive performance at the breakdown and in the loose.
The next stage of our culinary journey involved the main course of half backs and centres who combine brilliantly to create elusive breaks and effective offloads and ultimately we’re responsible for keeping the momentum going. Sean ‘The menace’ Ellis and Gordon ‘The Educator’ Rogers provided the subtlety of the fine flavours whilst Andy and Jack provided the meat and veg of the attacking line (oooh err missus). The desert option was delivered by our back three with the delicate sweet treats of Tom Campbell and Liam Fenney with an additional mahoosive dollop of big solid South African Suet in the guise of Clint Van Rental.
A memorable bench of young guns Brad Lang, Chris McGowan and John Sim, the even more youthful Jack Archer and Gabe Ford and the fleet footed Matt Brookes provided the after dinner mints to what turned out to be a Gordon Ramsey esque gastronomic delight.
As a comment on our opposition today, Wnythenshawe have come a very long way in a very short time, and I’m not talking geography here. To be playing in the semi-final of a cup competition after having only established themselves as a rugby club five years ago is a truly remarkable achievement and I for hope we get the chance to play them again in the future as they have the potential to form a great rugby set up.
The game was played in near perfect rugby weather. Chilly, dry, sunny with a softish ground under foot. This allowed the Mavericks to play to their maximum level and the game that has been promised all season came at the perfect time. The Mavs took a firm grasp of the game through an overwhelming forward dominance with great running and handling from the entire eight. Chris Ford owning the ball on the ground, Rick winning the arial battles in the line outs the front row deconstructing the opposition in a ruthless and clinical performance which saw ball won against the head and a drive that provided extra yards to allow for front foot ball for the backs to exploit.
The Mavs completed an outstanding Semi final victory by a massive 57-3 scoreline. A dominant, exciting and scintillating game of rugby achieved through a sense of ruthless efficient and a disciplined rugby.
The influence of Dan Jenner as our pre-game coaching lead is showing results and individual playing performance are becoming honed and a more ‘professional’ approach to Mavs rugby is evident.
Some players of particular note are the ones who are absent. In particular I mention 2.
The first is Mike Potter. Mike has been a Maverick since day 1, he has played in the best and worst games, he has suffered injuries and celebrated great achievements he has committed as much as either myself as the gaffer, Nev, Andy and all those stalwarts of our club. This week, on the biggest day in Mavs history, he volunteered to stand down from the playing squad in order to allow others to play and experience the rugby that he has been involved with for Anselmians over the years. Mike continues to be part of The Maverick family and will always be an integral part of the team, whether playing, running the line or just providing the support to the team.
The second person worthy of mention this week is our talismanic pack leader Tom Hutchinson who was not able to attend for the semi final due to a family event which involved his wife Ali ‘Mrs Mav’ Hutchinson who purchased international rugby tickets in celebration of Hutch’s birthday. As a result Hutch was AWOL from the semi final in the pursuit of matrimonial bliss and contentment. The Mavs brotherhood are not a jealous mistress, we are not demanding but we do have expectations…… see you in the final Tom, don’t go shopping or a swift removal of one’s knackers will surely follow.
Back to the game, tries from Jack Hancock, Ricky Evans, Tom Campbell, Liam ‘Fenners’ Fenny, Clint Van, Craig Jones, a penalty try awarded to Matt Brookes for a particularly dangerous trip tackle and a brace of tries from George Bennett created a 57 -3 score line in favour of the Mavs as they continue on their journey to a hopeful Cup and League double.
This weeks man of the match goes to George Bennett for another fine performance from the second row, immense presence and two well taken tries.
Prior to the kickoff The gaffer made an emotional plea to the squad. The importance of this game cannot be underestimated in its significant to the overall history and development of the Maverick ethos. All of this tells us that the entire range of Maverick teams over the years have earned the right to be where we are today.
On 7th May the team will be playing their ‘Everest’ they will be prepared, motivated and focussed .
By the 7th The Mavs will have hopefully have secured their league promotion and be focussed on the end goal. That being the league and cup double, the single greatest achievement in Mavs history ……. The pressure is killing me, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Onwards to Oldershaw. The future is bright, the future is Navy, White and Gold.
Semel a Mavericus , Semper a Mavericus
The Gaffer