Fun in the sun..... well nearly !

Fun in the sun ..... well nearly !

At last a trip to Tarleton and the 1 hour ten minute trek into the Lancastrian countryside that we have been avoiding for so long. The double header league fixture that promised to deliver 8 points and league boost to the victor. The Mavericks travelled with a strong squad of seventeen following the late withdrawal of our smoggy compatriot Del, who tragically lost his mum that very morning, the thoughts and prayers of everyone associated with The Mavericks are with you pal.
The game itself was to have been an ideal platform for Del to demonstrate his skills with a firm pitch and a warm afternoon’s sun it was destined to be an open expansive match. The Gaffer was relishing what lay ahead with a big forward pack and some great running backs, this game lay open. Tarleton presented a youthful looking team with some big runners in the back line and a large pack, think best way to predict this was 50/50.
Kick off arrived and Tarleton attacked into The Mavericks 22 the Mavericks went into defensive mode, soaked up the early pressure and turned the tide, eventually getting onto the front foot with some strong determined tackling, some incisive kicking and some very strong running. The first score came after 10 minutes pressure from The Mavericks with a great line being cut through the Tarleton defence by Andy Smith who went under the post to score and with Dom Neville’s kicking the score was 7-0 Mavericks.
Anyone watching this fixture as a neutral was in for one of the best games of the season, I don’t think we’ve been in a more closely fought fixture with points exchanged tit- for - tat for 79 of the 80 minutes. A few moments later and Tarleton levelled the score with a well run try out wide. This pattern continues with The Mavs scoring then Tarleton levelling. The scorers for the Mavs this week were Andy Smith, Dom Neville with another great performance at 10 taking hit after hit yet kept getting up and constantly threatening and asking questions of the Tarleton defence. At last, it’s been a long time coming and he left it until possibly the last game of the season but Stocky got over the line with a massive drive taking (at last count) four Tarleton defenders over the line with him. A great try from a great forward. Our fourth try came from Jack Hancock, once again playing like he’s never been away from the game and splitting the Tarleton line surgically to go over. Played two scored two Jack and a 100% record continues.
I must thank Tarleton for introducing a new and novel experience to our season this year when five minutes into the second half the referee goes off to referee the first team fixture due to injury sustained. Cometh the man, cometh the hour and the recently substituted Tarleton captain comes back on as match official. In a very close game this was a bold step so thanks on behalf of the Mavs for allowing the game to continue.
To cut a long story short 79th minute and score line reads Tarleton 31 Mavericks 26 with The Mavericks pressuring the Tarleton defence at every turn. Suddenly Tarleton achieved a turnover and passed the ball out wide, after one of the many staggering knock ons of the afternoon which the ref (who was running alongside) didn’t see. And the ball gets into the hands of the Tarleton number 6 who scampered over the line to score under the post.
It was at this moment that the twat of the match reared his ugly head two really , the first was the Tarleton player who, once over the try line, unopposed decided to “dick about” (refs words not mine) and not ground the ball to his satisfaction. Play on .
But our star was of course Mr Pickard. There’s a scrap, handbags are drawn and the youngest player on the Tarleton Team lands a punch. Now as far as I’m aware Nev has been playing and fighting in games for a long time, however has never landed nor received a punch, but on this occasion it appeared that the Texas Chain Saw massacre had occurred with blood emitting from all places. So a fitting end to the season.
This weeks men of the match of course must go to a combined team performance of Craig Brookes and Les Wildman. Both playing their last fixture for the Mavs (allegedly). Their cumulative contribution to Mavericks rugby is immeasurable. Always there when called upon, willing to constantly go that extra mile, facing triumph and adversity with equal measure. But more importantly dicking opposition scrums time and time again . Our pack has consistently been the breaking of other teams and Craig and Les have played no small part in this dominance. Craig leaves as the last man standing of the infamous ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ trio. Les has been the scorer of some great blind side tries and since his world record transfer fee was paid to Flint of a pint of bitter and a packet of pork scratchings he’s been a constant. The Gaffer will always remember playing as part of a great Mavs back row alongside Nev and Les and I’m sure together with all the Mavs who have played will realise that all the above could be a big fat lie come the first week in September when The Mavs are short and crying out for front row and back row and upmoops Mr and Mr reliable again. On a serious note though thanks guys for your commitment and pride in playing for The Mavs.
Great performances once again from all of our scorers, Neil Brookes had a particularly strong game again and Chris McIvor continues to show why he is quickly becoming a highly competent winger with some excellent attacking and defensive play. Together with fielding ball whilst under pressure and isolated. A good solid performance.
Overall another great team performance strong in attach and defence but I think we were just outdone by a fitter side who realised they were in a tough game from the outset. Well played and see you all next week.

Semel a Mavericus Semper a Mavericus

The Gaffer