Mavericks at Winnington Park

Here we go. Hope this is ok.

Mavericks v Winnington Park

Well this is a long overdue return to the Match reports, but also to Mavericks rugby. I know for one I thought that Winnington Park was a lot closer to home than it proved to be, but the long away trip did not have an adverse effect on the performance and the side gathered for the day! A big thank you to everyone who travelled!

With 5 minutes to go before kick-off and Winnington Park having 19 players to the Mavericks 13, at the time, the arrival of Tony and Connor was a big relief! Both made positive impacts on the game, Tony breaking the game up and Connor with many moments of genius to break through the defence and proved to be a thorn in the opposition’s side all day!

The game started with a bang and the Mavericks playing the Mavericks way, hard hitting and big running. With both teams attempting to play running rugby but with Winnington Park lingering in the offside position it led to a number of tactical kicks, take note Nev, over the top and only for a couple unfortunate bounces the Mavericks would have stormed into an impressive early lead.

The pack dominated all game, not just up front but in the loose and it led to the first score of the day by Chris ‘Wendall’ Davies, who led the pack forward and over the line. With a relatively easy angle, Capt G, made the kick look tricky but had a huge slice of luck following a bounce of the upright and crossbar to drop over. The Mavericks taking a 7-0 lead. Then really against the run of play the Winnington Park managed a well worked score and following a missed conversion it was 7-5 to the Mavericks. It looked to be the score until a moment of magic by Mike Lennon, who made an impressive side step to skip through near the posts and score just before half time. Then a bizarre moment from Capt G, (who clearly had not played for 4 weeks) missed from in front of the posts and yes I know I will never live that down but let’s not dwell on that and remember Mike’s effort and the fact the Mav’s led 12-5 at the break.

Then the Mavericks turned on the style in the second half. The forwards turned on the style and with the direction of James Shallcross putting the forwards into positions to attack the fringes it led to a great drive up field to lead to birthday boy (Green around the Gills) Lewis Keen to drive over and score. Another miss from Capt G made the score 17-5. The Mavericks continued to drive forward and with impressive backline running from Mike, Lee Jones, Del, Josh and Connor it opened up a lot of space. With the turn over by Neil Brookes it set up another score for Wendall to drive over following a short pass from the base of the ruck. Mike Lennon took over the kicking and landed the kick. This made the score 24-5.

The Mavericks defence was impressive all day! Del Alderson and Jay Owens making a number of last ditch tackles. The welcome return of Lee Jones in the centres provided huge hits and big running which Winnington Park struggled with in midfield. It led to more pressure on Park and set up more opportunities and space, which Connor exploited. Following an impressive moment of goal line defence and forwards turn over led to a kick by Capt G, which the Park 2nd row lingering in the back field decided to a grubber following pressure from the oncoming chase to the Mavericks dangerous winger, Connor, who sped down the line and scored a much deserved try. Another conversion by Mike Lennon took the score to 31-5.

Following a number of penalties, for both teams, quoting Craig Brookes “I have never given away so many penalties.” Neil Brookes almost capitalised twice but for 2 try saving tackles kept the ever elusive player, playing in the back row today, out. Following the gaining in positive field position and hard work from the pack it led to a neat overlap which Josh finished off with ease. Following another sublime kick by Mike Lennon it took the Mavericks to a long overdue win of 38-5.

A big thank you must go out to Connor and Tony, who are always welcome in the Maverick colours. Also a special mention to the 2nd team players who made a run out for the Mavericks and also Jay Owens who had an impressive game at Hooker and also around in the loose.

Although my man of the match performance is going to be shared this week between Chris Davies for his 2 scores and also the long awaited return of Lee Jones who gave the backline a lot of go forward and impressive defensive effort.