Mavs v New Brighton 2's

With our usual wordsmith and Gaffer having to do his duties and do a ‘Big Shop’ the heavy weight responsibility of the match report falls to the Gaffers ghost writers.

I will begin with several apologies. Firstly, as I was in the thick of it. Key details may well be missed.

Secondly apologies for the potty mouth behaviour of Mrs Mav and Mrs Skip. They gave the New Brighton players and supporters a good tongue lashing. With a few lessons in Old Norse terminology and how a gentleman should speak to a lady.

Laughing apart, thank you for the support ladies and to all the MavaFans who travelled to the match. Your constant encouragement and helpful hints (Tackle’im) keep us going!

So back to the important stuff. The squad was strong and grew stronger in the hours before the match.
Speed, strength and sheer weight were not in short supply in the Mavs squad and so began the match.
From the kick off the Mavs set about business against a younger opposition. From the start Ricky Evans, Big Eric and Dave Edge making their presence known and bossing the breakdown. New Brighton provided solid defense but it wasn’t long till the first try at the hands of Jack Hancock. Which came straight out of the Dan Jenner play book with several forward phases into the backs and then a delightful kick from Captain Fantastic who placed the ball deftly for Jack to score.

The direction of play continued with the front row of Chris McGowan, Dave Walker and Sam Burns Holding firm in the scrum. Ably supported by Joe Thomas who arrived to help as Hooker.

Balls were all secured from the kick off and taken back into contact before some deft hands through the centres to the waiting speed merchants of Harry Hopwood and Tom Campbell.

The second try came from a great forward play, dominating the back of the rucks from our new founded no.9 who placed a perfect pass to put Slick Rick into the corner. 0-10 and the New Brighton squad knew they were in a game.

As time passed and half time approached the Mavs game became at best scrappy, at worst a penalty fiesta for the home team. 9 penalties in a row did not help the Mavs and we were lucky to avoid a card or two. Defence from the forwards and back was fantastic. Big hits from the backs tackling as wolves saved the score. Discipline at the breakdown is something we need to reflect on. However, our defense stood firm and New Brighton did not make the ground they potentially could have.

Half time arrived and wise words from Our Captain. Words, supported by Ian our super hero raised heads, focused minds and light a fire for the second half.

Off we went with changes to both sides. And the defense and aggression was certainly not lacking. The Mavs did not back off but did not capitalise on all our opportunities. However to win a game without taking all of the chances available to us shows what we are still capable of. A better drilled team, better practice sessions, increased attendance at training and this squad will beat Helsby, Ruskin Park and the likes.

Great play from the Yoof section with Gabe and Mike Wooton in the backs providing some direct running and the perennially immortal Mike Potter came on to command the scrum and to provide a supportive, caring and sensitive shoulder for the opposition front row to cry on.

The now, rather predictable scorers came from Jack Hancock allusive as ever, combined with powerful running and getting assisted by Ricky Evans. Half way through the second half some really scrappy play and the force of New Brighton finally broke the Mavericks sold defense (you would of thought they’d won the World Cup!). However, it’s an indication of the strength of the opposition when a team celebrates it’s successes.

Then things started getting even more scrappy. Enter ‘Twat of the Day’. Sam Burns with his WWE body slam to stop the New Brighton centre on his direct run. Sam seemed unsure on this new term called obstruction but this set the New Brighton pack alight. The blue touch paper was lit.
From this point each break down, led to some handbag swapping and close up and personal discussions about personal male grooming. This was the flavour of the last quarter. Not the finest rugby but we stood as a team, and no one was left without support, a true sign of a strong team.

Key moments in the game make the biggest difference to the outcomes and one of these ‘Key Moments’ occurred when the Mavs we’re pinned back on their own 22 then enter Mr. Unicorn Ian ‘Mugsy’ Murray with a great tackle and counter ruck from no other than Captain Fantastic Andy Smith, winning the ball to continue play. Enter Cosmo centerfold Tom ‘Ken’ Campbell… sprinting down the line making ground like a gazelle! (It would appear that Groin strain has fixed itself, must’ve been the efforts of Mrs. Skip Ed.) Tom, who was subsequently tackled on the New Brighton 22 which led to two phases from the now dominant forward pack. After that, the Mavs reform in the line and Ian spins a long pass to Captain Fantastic who is mismatched with a New Brighton second row. A nice gap opened up and over he goes for the 4th try of the game.

So the final whistle blew much to the relief of this sweaty drenched swordsman of the pen!

So to the players of comment.
Twat of the day has already been mentioned take a bow Mr Burns. We have your spandex wrestling outfit on order.

WAGs Man of the Match goes to Big Eric. Massive game for our tattooed behemoth and technique developing every week as this is his 3rd game as a forward. Well done Eric but keep the tackles low!

Man of the Match from the management this week goes to Ian our scrum half. He conducted the play from start to finish and at points was the 9th forward clearing out and taking hits.

Northwich next week and this is going to be a real tester for us and one we need to win. Northwich sit directly above us in the league so a nice win on the road will see us leapfrog into fourth spot and a step closer to securing a promotion winning place. Let’s bring home the win.

Apologies for the absence and on behalf of the Gaffer

Semel a Mavericus, Semper a Mavericus

The Gaffer (pp)