Anselmian Mavericks v Oldershaw

Errrr…… well ……. Thing is …….
As a normally erudite individual the events of Saturday 5th March 2022 leave a hole the size of Texas in my ability to form sentences and to comprehend the game that just occurred.
I was sitting in my armchair in the East Wing of ‘Gaffer Towers’ asking myself the question, how do I sum it up in one word ? It was at this stage I started scribbling. Passion, bravery, determination, skill, power, strength, brotherhood, and the list just continued. I could write words for hours to describe what all 22 of the Maverick Squad demonstrated.
There was not a single person present at Oldershaw who did not have an impact on that game. Whether it was the skipper leading the team, to Sean Pickard the water boy (and Mars Bar provider) right the way through to the incredible Anselmains travelling support, the Hopwoods and the marvellously vocal Lucy and all those players unavailable who still turned up to cheer us on. The wives and the kids who by their mere presence drives the players forward. Mrs Skip, Mrs Mav all the families and everyone who has put time and effort in creating a very special place to be. Thankyou one and all.
If it is at all possible to ‘park’ the emotion of this game for one moment it is a game that deserves a traditional analysis.
The Maverick squad needed to be strong today we knew that the top of the table clash should bring the best game out of the opposition we knew we were facing their ‘A’ game and as a result we had to bring ours. The atmosphere in the changing room was electric prior to the game. Dan Jenner led the pre-match run through with Andy Smith starting the captains run early on.
We returned to the changing rooms before kick off where the message went out loud and clear about personal responsibility, taking ownership of the game and making the biggest impact. The message appeared to work. At the kick off we attacked hard the Oldershaw defence absorbed and fired back. The game was clearly to be an evenly balanced affair.
To the neutral observer (of which there were none) this game had everything.
Every single tackle impacted at 100% every single contact was 100% there was absolutely no quarter given and everyone in the Mavs squad knew what was expected from them. No one needed to be motivated, or dragged round the pitch the desire from these players was unmatched by anything the Gaffer had seen all season .
The pressure was evident in the first twenty minutes with a few frayed tempers and a bit of ‘handbags’ by both sides but this just reinforced what was at stake.
The game was at stalemate for a quarter of the game until The Oldershaw forwards powered over the line to make it 5-0 in their favour. It was this time that The Mavs forwards stepped up to the mark and cometh the hour, cometh the man and Old reliable Ricky Evans collects the ball from 5 yards and somehow manages to get himself under the legs of the Oldershaw defensive line to scramble over making the score 5-5 after 30 mins. The kicking boots of Gordon Rogers had been left in the changing room and as a result the conversion went unconverted.
The Mavs however weren’t done for the half and after soaking up torrents of attacking endeavour from Oldershaw the Mavs turned on the style with some impressive breaks through the centre and a kick chase through Clint and the ball ends up back in the Oldershaw red zone with Dom Murphy battling to get the ball. It was at this stage that Alan Mountford resurrected his best dad dancing moves, waltzed over and took the ball to crash over close to the corner the secure a half time lead of 10-5 into the break.
The second half commenced with the same ferocious endeavour being displayed by both team but this time it was Oldershaw who struck with an excellently worked move which allowed their fly half to scamper unopposed underneath the posts. One successful conversation later and the score was 12-10 to Oldershaw.
Words can’t do justice to the spectacle that followed with both teams exchanging offence and defence over and over again. Every tackle being made every ruck and maul being secured. If the Mavs were going to wrestle this game back and secure another try it was going to take something very special and that is exactly what we got, not from one person but from an entire 15 and the collective will of the entire touchline. The Mavs took possession of the ball in their own 22, at this stage we were on the receiving end of a long 22 drop out and the clock was showing 77 minutes as the long march started it passed through forwards and backs and slowly but surely the Mavs started to make progress, wear down the opposition and beat a path towards the Oldershaw red zone. Once we were ten yards out the kamikaze attacks started with Mavs throwing themselves at the opposition , battering them into submission with two players in particular providing the impetus. Jack Hancock and Andy Smith were ruthless in hitting what at times appeared to be a solid brick wall. The ball is slowed passed to Nev Pickard who catches superbly of his ankles, and smashes into the defence who were waiting for him in the fringes as he goes to ground the ball ends up in the hands of Jack Hancock with the man mountain Eric McMorine right behind him. The two players exploded at the Oldershaw line to find the gap and score under the post. Try Time and Conversion 17-12 it is.
The Mavs win, the final whistle blows and the celebration starts.
The win is the win, but there was so much on show today, absolutely impossible to identify individual players because every single one stood out, it’s a cliché because it’s true. There were 22 men there this week and they all played their very individual roles in a game that was without doubt the finest achievement so far this season for the Mavericks.
In regard to performances no single player can be held higher than anyone else as they are all on a pedestal as far as the Gaffer is concerned today.
I will however, make a note of the battles today. One of our brothers fought two battles today and came through both with great spirit, pride and in the best ideals of what it is to be a rugby player. A very courageous man and we’re proud of you.
The second is a special note to Andy Smith who has led this team through the good times and the bad, and indeed, the very bad. He was there when the Mavs were at their worst and he deserves the mentions and plaudits because of what his team have achieved this year. As a final note I alluded to it last week but when we think of where the Mavs are today we should remember all those that have played previously and who helped mould this team. We should also thank the players who are now on the periphery of the team and are slowly stepping aside to allow a new breed through. What a new breed they are as well our youngsters are beginning to make an impact with Jack, Harry, Allan, and Gabe all bringing some real potential to our teams over the past few weeks.
The absolute worst thing about the job of a manager is the decisions that need to be made to get the strongest team out there. The having to leave the stalwarts of The Mavericks to one side and to leave them on the touchline. I am not asking for any form of pity but just an acknowledgement for all the brilliant people who have formed this Maverick team of today.
It was an emotional day on Saturday and I don’t say that lightly or with a ‘joke’ to hide behind. It genuinely will sit in my memory as one of our finest performances.
Thakyou all once again.
Semel a Mavericus, Semper a Mavericus