Oldershaw 2nd XV 20 - Anselmians Mavericks 24

Oldershaw 2 vs Anselmians 3
Sat 27th November

On Tuesday evening Pat now in his customary role as the Mavericks selection committee dogs body could not have been any more excited than a fat lad in a candy store as Wellsy informed him that the Crusaders had a list as long as his arm of available player's. The beneficiary would always be the 3's who had quite the opposite list, as unavailability had struck for a successive week.

Once the 1st & 2nd team had their teams picked, the surplus was the Mavs and on paper it looked like a beast of a team, which included half a dozen 2's who would have been locked on starters last year for 2's places for sure.
Pat eagerly text the Gaffer who was no doubt pacing the same path of carpet in his living room awaiting this very text. The squad that he was presented with was obviously of too much excitement for him to deal with resulting in a trip to hospital (will get back to that later in the report)

Unfortunately as the week rolled by the 1st team lost numbers as did the Crusaders due to persistent injury, Thursday evening injuries at training and some cry off's thus the Mavericks dream team eroded like the East Coast of Yorkshire.

A bright cold afternoon in Wallasey was the setting and a chilly wind blowing up the field dropping the temperature to 7c.

In the changing room Pat's head count numbered 11 and for a moment thought the game ball had changed shaped to a fully rounded game ball. More concern now was the worry that we didn't appear to have any game jersey's and also missing the sleeping giant 'Stocky'
A quick phone call and within 15 minutes both Stocky and the game shirts (which he had) came swash buckling into the changing room.
Oldershaw having a full team including a bench kindly offered us the two lad's from Mold John & Lloyd who had border hoped looking for some rugger action. They have both had run outs for us in the past. So it would be 15 against the 14 Mavericks. Game on.

Oldershaw kicked off towards Belvedere Road, the kick not travelling that far into the crisp biting wind and from the opening catch fielded by John Kenny, the Mavs advanced immediately towards the Oldershaw posts. Some hard nose heads down running from Duncan, Spot, stocky, Christian Elwell and Andy Thompson soon had Oldershaw backed up on the try line and the opening 20 mins seemed to be played entirely in the last third of the pitch. Oldershaw's line was finally breached when Ed Byrne slipped between two Oldershaw backs to open the scoring. Andy Thompson drop kicked the conversation as the kicking tee was still buried in the kit bag.
7-0 Mavericks.

After the restart it was our turn to defend and although Oldershaw 2's never advanced beyond our 22 on this passage of possession they did get a penalty that they converted from 30m.
7-3 Mavs.

The Mavericks once more advanced into Oldershaw territory with Liam McGowan pulling the strings at scrum half. A holding onto the ball at the breakdown gave Oldershaw the momentum and 3 phases later their big fast flanker hit a good line taking a short ball from the #9 to go 45m breaking a few half tackles to score under our posts and the conversion was added. Bit of a wake up call for us and the lads responded with good hard gained metres up the gut of Oldershaw. By now they would have been happier if Steve Stockford had slept in again as he repeatedly charged ball in hand committing 3 tacklers to holt Stockys advance. Oldershaw once more backed up beyond their 5m had to throw bodies at the Mavs. Christian Elwell was judged to have not maintained downward pressure as it looked like another try. Andy Thompson held up. Stocky turned over in the in goal area. The tempo was high and the Mavericks would not be denied a try.
Dion Elwell was swung around like a rag doll and a melee ensued. Christian getting in on it as the lion King protecting his cub.
Oldershaw had been holding firm until their ill discipline got the better of them. Oldershaw were still arguing when The Mavs staying focused set up the bulldozer for the go a head try right on the interval. Stocky was to get his well deserved try and now with a kicking tee Andy Thompson slotted over the conversion .

Ht Old 10-14 Mavs.

It was at the half time huddle that Pat broke the news that Tim the Gaffer had been poorly and hospitalised during the week and a win today from his Boy's would be a welcome tonic.
"One for the Gaffer" Pat asked and the lad's where to respond in a show of character and resilience. A show of Tenacity in defending the goal line for what seemed like 15-20 minutes in the opening second half. Never have I witnessed so many 5m scrums as this game. Diehard warriors like Spot and the returning Les Wildman had moments where there backs were in bits but neither of them gave an inch to Oldershaw. So for all their efforts, Oldershaw could do no better than settle for 3 points, 3/4 way through this battle royale.
13-14 Mavs.

There was a distinct edge and tackles were getting feisty, high and the local supporters constantly berating the young composed referee who took no notice.

Sam Bramhall off loaded to Christian Mcivor who advanced at the gallop 10-15 metres before he was hit hard and then dump tackled clearly beyond the horizontal and a penalty was awarded, but a yellow should have been shown but it wasn't. Andy Thompson added another 3 points splitting the uprights to extend our lead.

Old 13-17 Mavs

Oldershaw where forced to clear their lines, a box kick aided with the prevailing breeze was fielded cleanly by Dion just by our 22 and he ran it back 25 m before off loading as the tackle came in on him. Sam Bramhall took the pass from Dion Elwell and turned on the burners to elude one tackle then turned the fullback inside out as he scored a superb 50m try. Andy Thompson 100% from the boot nailed the lid on the victory adding the conversion.

Old 13-24 Mavs

One late charge from Oldershaw did see them get a try on the very last play of the game and a successful conversion narrowed the final score.

Oldershaw 20-24 Mavs

This was a blood and spit performance from a 14 man Mavericks team that at times bent but never broke in defence.
A stonewall performance where everyone could have been Man of the match but I am sure every Mav on the field would agree with me that the sleeping man mountain, Steve 'Stocky' Stockford deserves the accolade of Man of the Match for his bruising runs, his hunger for the ball, his try and twice held up showing how many players Oldershaw had to commit to the tackle, and in his defence play he was a brick wall, and even had his height reduced 3" inches after one tackle, hope the neck returns soon Stocky mate.
Thanks to the Mold lads who as always put in a shift and finally to The Gaffer who has our unreserved support and Respect.

Pat 'Riot' Rowe

Semel a Mavericus, Semper a Mavericus