Mavericks v Wallasey.

A game and a date to remember.
Well it’s been 18 months in the making and at last the home of Mavericks rugby was once again the place to be.
I’ve been trying to think of the most appropriate way of commemorating this so significant of days. But, I didn’t really need to say anything as all assembled in the Mavs changing room pre-match were fully aware of what today meant.
The Mavs first game back ‘home’ promised to be an entertaining affair with a resurgent Wallasey team bringing a full squad consisting of a big robust pack and some exciting backs to boot.
However the Mavs collective of new and old were to show they could withstand most of what was to be thrown at them.
The Mavs welcomed Ged Smith, Alan Mountford, Brad Lang, John Sim and the ever youthful Matty Cubbin into the throng with all the usual regulars in attendance. Andy Smith leading the team with Spot starting another season at the sprightly age of 39 + VAT as pack leader. The ever versatile Nev Pickard taking up the reigns as hooker and performing admirably for a debutant.
The Mavs squad consisted of real talent in the back line with some serious physicality in the pack overall a strong team to start the season and to start the new era at eastham.
The game kicked off in glorious sunshine with a good crowd in attendance and the Mavs immediately went onto the attack, showing their strength in the contact areas and the desire to keep the ball moving. A lack of rugby over the last 18 months started to show early on from both sides with handling errors and concentration dropping off . However, it was the Mavs who scored first with the typical attack from the sniper Neil Brookes who threw the most outrageous dummy to crash over from 5 yards. The kick went unconverted and play resumed. A short time later Wallasey equalised with a well worked try by their man mountain (an extra from Game of Thrones I’m sure).
The rest of the half was a to and fro affair with both teams matching each other, tackle for tackle and scrum for scrum.
Once again Hutch comes to the rescue in typical fashion when he receives the ball about 10 metres out and drives for the try line taking half of the Wallasey defensive line with him he crashes over to make the half time score 12-7 in favour of the Mavs.
Change of ends and the gane recommences as an evenly matched affair until Dan Nelson then purple haired warrior of wallasey takes off to score under the posts and edge Wallasey into the lead. A conversion takes the score 14-12 to Wallasey and time is running out.
Cometh the hour and cometh the man. A well worked try through the backs with Captain Fantastic Andy Smith diving over the line and grounding the ball with such force we nearly saw a tsunami on the Mersey. Unconverted, the try takes the Mavs back in front to 17-14 with the clock ticking on.
As we approached the end of a very long game (50 mins by my watch) Wallasey kick long and diagonal and secure a line out just outside the Mavs 22. The resulting line out is caught by Wallasey and the red blows for a Penalty to Wallasey. Referee says last play . Wallasey on the front foot Mavs defending 8 metres out and then inexplicably……. The Wallasey 10 kicks the ball out thinking that his team has won. Referee blows final whistle Mavericks 17 - Wallasey 14.
A great curtain raiser, a fabulous pitch, a great opposition….
If Carlsberg did rugby game sets etc.
This weeks man of the match was awarded to Jack Hancock for a strong performance at outside centre. The Wallasey lads voted for him and The Gaffer totally agrees. Other noticeable performances go to Lee Jones with some great running from deep and Tom Hutchinson for his continued physical presence nigh in the right and around the park managing to keep the big Wallasey forwards in check at all times. However it was great to see so many new faces and I look forward to what his to come this season.
A final note for the young referee who took charge of yesterday’s game. A good performance keeping control of the lions den of 30 players who all consider themselves experts. Yes, there were a few calls which with the benefit of experience and hindsight may of been different however consistency was key. Without huge refs there are no games and it’s really good to young referees taking up the whistle and I’m sure at the end of the relatively steep learning curve we will have a new man in the middle to keep us all in check.
A ability’s result and an even better day, here’s to next week and another challenge from the boys in blue.
Semel a Mavericus Semper a Mavericus,
The Gaffer