Mavericks v Hoylake

Another sunny warm day at the Pavillion and probably the strongest Maverick team to take to the pitch this season. Welcoming some very useful additions to the Maverick squad and the debutants Seth Geary, Joe Carew, Harrison Kendall and Ollie Woodcock made significant differences to the overall strength. The youth policy of Steve Hearn and Duncan Hendry continues to bear fruit. This squad would, on any other day, have created an opportunity for a try fest however this was failing to take into account the strength of the opposition. Hoylake brought a well drilled, skilled and well prepared team which ultimately led to one of the best games of rugby I’ve been involved with for a long time. Despite the narrow loss The Mavs played some brilliant fast flowing rugby with some strong dominant forward performances.
The scrum was an area of particular strength with the opposition being forced up on numerous occasions and the pack creating penalty opportunity after penalty opportunity. Catch and drive worked well and if it wasn’t for numerous collapses by the Hoylake pack tries would have been forthcoming.
In the end it was our new imports that gave us our points. Chris Ford with a burrowing try close to the posts and fantastically taken blind side break by Ollie Woodcock out wide and two well taken solo efforts from the fleet footed battering ram that is Chris McIvor.
It appeared that Hoylake could match us try for try and at times we let ourselves down with our first up tackling. This area provided Hoylake with a good foundation to launch their attacks and on the 80th minute and with the last kick of the match Hoylake snatched victory from the jaws of a draw.
So, this weeks players of note.
The pack were anchored on solid foundations throughout the entire 8. Nev Pickard continuing to develop into the role of hooker with the two pillars of Tyler Brookes and Chris McGowan either side. As may be expected by now , Ant Evans, Joe Carew and Duncan Hendry never put a foot wrong. In the backs it’s always a pleasure to see Tom Campbell playing. Chris Mcivor and Charlie Ackers without doubt two of the most formidable attackers in the club and all led by Andy Smith in the centres.
In addition yesterday saw the quality of two players who earned their Maverick stripes. Chris Ford a brilliant performance in all elements of the back row all rounded if with a well taken try and Seth Geary a real talent at 10. Finally Ollie Woodcock a welcome addition to the Anselmians family yet another promising talent for the future.
Individual performances abound and some wonderful personal contributions however this weeks man of the match performance goes to Seth Geary a mature performance that does not reflect his youthful years. Seth managed the back line both in attack and defence and provided opportunities through effective distribution to create tries for our strong runners. A great performance and here’s to many more. Developments for future weeks must revolve around our first line tackling and our game play around rucks.
Thankyou to everyone who took to the field and those on the line for a great day and a great spectacle.
Here’s to next week, the trip to Helsby and hopefully a more successful outcome.
Semel a Mavericus, Semper a Mavericus
The Gaffer