Ionians Alligators v Goole & Hull U11’s
21st March 2010
With a few key players missing, the Alligators knew they had their work cut out. Undeterred by the absences, and still equipped with high calibre players more than capable of a stunning performance, they set out to prove themselves, and that they did.
The first game, against Goole, started with a long kick up field, deep into Goole territory. Well controlled from the start, the Alligators gave chase and didn’t waste the well placed kick. Both sides were highly motivated and ready for the fight as they rattled around centre pitch for much of the first half. It was tough for the Alligators as Goole held them off with a good strong defence. Although neither side scored during the first half, a good game was beginning to unfold.
Going into half time with the score 0-0 was a first for the Alligators and they were determined not to end the game without scoring. After a motivating half-time speech, the Alligators tried desperately to defend against a defiant Goole. Unfortunately, it was Goole who scored first with a sudden dash to the try line when a lapse in concentration by the Alligators allowed them their one and only opportunity. After hitting the cross-bar for an unsuccessful conversion, Goole were in the lead by just one try. The Alligators hit straight back with a tremendous battering to get through Goole’s defence and bolted over the try line within minutes of Goole scoring. All now rested on a successful conversion to put the Alligators ahead. It came and they remained ahead by two points to end the game 7-5 to the Alligators.
The Alligators faced Hull for their second game. Historically, past encounters have all gone in favour of the Alligators, having amassed a staggering 72-0 over two games already. Hull were revved up and ready for the challenge as they came out fully charged and desperate to discredit the Alligators. Some well placed kicks and brilliant line-outs gave the Alligators the advantage by keeping the ball in Hull’s half. Midway through the first half, the Alligators made their move and fought through a barrage of Hull players to gracefully dive over the try line, and with the conversion, made it 7-0 at half time.
As the second half got under way, the Alligators kept pushing forward and executing some brilliant ball work to keep play deep in Hull’s half. A disallowed try for holding up agitated the Alligators and gave them the heightened aggressiveness required to plough their way through several rampant Hull players to come within yards of the try line on several occasions before finally getting their reward and scraping over the line for a second time.
The Alligators, now in front by 14 points, were not about to let Hull catch up, and played their hearts out to keep the ball exactly where they wanted it. Some smart passing and equally as good receiving placed the ball out on the wing were it was gracefully carried over the try line in the top corner for a well fought third try.
The game was now very much controlled by the Alligators and all they had to do was keep possession and bide their time. Doing this was easy for the Alligators because they had done so for most of the game. Not content with just three try’s, the Alligators took the opportunity to make one last ditch attempt at notching up another try. It came just before full-time with a brilliant piece of ball work allowing the Alligators’ to thunder over the line for a final time. An impressive 28-0 at full-time gave the Alligators a well deserved and proud accomplishment.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jack Hatfield for yet another exhilarating performance. Jack masterfully adapted himself to several positional plays today and played them without fault. Jacks’ tackling ability and his ‘get stuck in’ approach is a marvel to watch and can be quite deadly for the opposition. When it comes to tackling, often close to the try line, you know you’re in safe hands with Jack, who can always be relied upon to stop a man dead in his tracks.
MATCH SUMMARY:
Alligators 28 - 0 Hull
Try Scorers:
Sam Howard 2
Jack Hatfield 2
Robert Davis 1
Jack Hatfield 1
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