A nice little loosener !!

Well, First competitive game of the season, and what a game it was. It had everything. Strong physical encounters, fast free running, a degree of individual flair and a spirit and determination unseen for quite some time.
To start this report a special thanks should be made to those players who made the extra effort to support the Mavericks this week. A team drawn together over a period of days from all four corners, some who haven't he played for years, some who thought their playing days were over and.some who travelled far and wide to ensure that fifteen players took the field.

A huge thanks should be made to our hosts for the day Sandbach we were all made very welcome by all the guys and excellent facilities were made available to us so thank you for that.

Our first game of the season started on a warm , spring like afternoon in sunny Cheshire. An early arrival at the ground enabled us to have plenty of time to prepare effectively for this game and I think that is an important message for future away fixtures.

Anselmians took to the field conscious of the task ahead, a big physical Sandbach pack awaited us and the task looked daunting to say the least, however, the pre-match talk by The gaffer and Captain G Spot instilled the simple message of the Maverick style of rugby. Tackle hard, recycle and run hard on the counter . This tactic proved beneficial at the end of the day.

Mavericks kicked off up the slight incline and immediately made good ground into the opposition twenty two as a result of an unclaimed kick by the Sandbach forward, however this advantage was not to last as the physicality of the opposition created good turn over possession and the ball was passed out wide to the Sandbach back line who showed good handling abilities in getting the first score of the game in the corner thanks to their elusive right wing. It was at this stage that the Mavericks began to realise the true task that faced them this afternoon and what exactly was required .
An immediate response was required and that is exactly what was provided with an excellent piece of running by Maverick forwards and backs alike with a great line break from captain G Spot to set up Adam Bramhall to go over under the post. A quick conversion by Gordon and Mavericks were up 7-5.

During the remaining frantic 30 minutes Sandback and gThe Mavericks played some excellent free flowing rugby with equal measure of attacking flair and defensive doggedness, however the Sandbach team proved to be stronger at the end of the 40 by going off at the half 17-7 to the good following two further well worked tries and a single conversion.

The Mavericks had showed glimpses of the potential this team had during the first half and had identified the Sandbach weaknesses and following the half time interval put the revised match plan into effect . Concentrating on winning quick stable ball at scrum and ruck to provide the backs with opportunities to run through and score.
The second half was a victory for The Mavericks with a further try for Adam Bramhall showing a great turn of speed to go round the outside of the opposition back line to ground the ball over the whitewash . A third try was quickly coming thanks to a great driving maul from about fifteen metres that culminated in a try for Lewis Keen ably assisted by his father Graham in he the second row.

This then brings us to the final try of the game scored by a huge amount of individual skill and flair............... Yup Gordon did a fantastic job gathering a lucky jammy kick through by some random bloke playing in yellow, blue and white to beat the covering tackle defence and ground the ball over the whitewash to score what turned out to be the winning try following another successful conversion , great performance Gordon .............. Oh ! Nev helped as well.

During then second half Sandbach scored two further tries both unconverted which led to a last minute victory with the last kick of the game to The Mavericks. Final score Sandbach 27 - Anselmian Mavericks 28. A fantastic game , a fantastic performance and a fantastic day.

My man of the match this week goes to Gordon Rogers for a match winning performance, great leadership and a massively significant kicking performance.
Well played both teams and thanks to Sandbach for hosting us and providing a scintillating days rugby. We look forward to welcoming you back to !alone filed later in the year.

Final comment must go to the Mavericks who played with real determination, spirit and a never say die approach . It was fantastic to watch and I only wish I could've had my boots on and been part of a great playing performance.

Onwards and upwards to and we welcome Acton Nomads next week.

Semper a Mavericus, Semel a Mavericus.

Thanks,

The Gaffer