Match Report

East Yorkshire Festival

Ionians Alligators v Pocklington, Malton, Driffield & Hullensians U12’s

14^th November 2010

It was a hard day for the Alligators, facing some tough competition whilst still gelling as a team. It is, however, quite evident that the Alligators have great potential, and once gelled, will be a formidable force against any team.

G1 - Pocklington: A Pocklington kick-off didn’t go well for the Alligators and a dropped ball had to be quickly picked up by Charlie Webster. A Pocklington interception very nearly cost the Alligators an early try. No sooner had the Alligators prevented the try when a quick scrum enabled Pocklington to get the ball out and over the try line.

A great kick, deep into Pocklington’s half, was quickly returned and caught by Charlie Cartmell who tried frantically to get through a heavy defence but just couldn’t. Undeterred with being tackled, Charlie was again on hand to receive a carefully delivered ball from James Millington before tapping it out to Sam Howard who grabbed it by the tip of his fingers before succumbing to Pocklington’s might. Another chance eluded George Boynton as he off-loaded the perfect ball to Michael Walker, only for Michael to hit a wall of Pocklington defenders. Oscar Cavill also had his chance to get through Pocklington’s defence and, for a while, made some good ground with Sam Howard close by to receive a potential loose ball. In the end it was Jack Hatfield who gained possession and charged forward, very nearly making the try line.

The Alligators were executing some great ball work and a pass from Jack Hatfield to Michael Walker and out for Charlie Webster to make the last attempt before half time to reach the try line was unfortunately halted as he was brought to the ground.

The second half started with a deep kick by Michael Walker which landed straight into Pocklington hands, who immediately gave a forward pass. A quick George Boynton, after putting the ball into the scrum, instantly followed it through and regained possession for a swift pass to Sam Howard, which ended in a bit of a grapple before Pocklington gained control. A push by James Millington helped gain a few yards for the Alligators but it was Leon Caplin’s effort to reach the try line that nearly secured an equaliser.

Pocklington took many chances when kicking and often kicked too hard, even costing them an Alligator lineout when they kicked the ball right out of play. Their exerted effort to reach the try line was defended well by the Alligators, but a slight lapse in concentration enabled Pocklington to sneak through and touch down the crucial try that sealed the game. The Alligators continued to push forwards and had several chances to reach the try line but Pocklington were simply too quick in defending and the game ended 10-0 to Pocklington.

G2 - Malton: Although taken well by Sam Howard, as Malton kicked off, it wasn’t long before a scrum saw Malton take control. A well placed penalty quickly followed with a try, which gave Malton an immediate advantage. The Alligators tried desperately not to let another early try get to them, but with all the frustration they bumbled a scrum and Malton managed to grab the ball and thrust it up field. Although Ethan Canet-Baldwin was on hand to receive it, it slipped out of his grasp and Malton regained possession.

Oscar Cavill made a real impact with his attempt to keep hold of the ball and made sure he covered several yards before being tackled into touch. A quick Malton lineout, which landed perfectly after going high and far, was abruptly stopped from going any further as Michael Walker made a daring and immediate tackle.

An interception by Jack Hatfield nearly paid off as he thundered through several Malton players to almost reach the try line, yet despite his gallant effort and being spurred on by touchline enthusiasts, he was prevented from crossing the line. A Malton penalty got the ball back up field and after an impressive weave; they got through the Alligator defence and scored.

With an increasing level of anxiety amongst the Alligators, an overzealous Oscar Cavill, courageously trying to prevent another try against the Alligators, made a high tackle and was penalised.

Malton were leading 5-0 at half time and with a high kick from Michael Walker, the ball went deep into Malton’s half. Although well caught by one of their biggest players, it didn’t deter James Millington from bringing him down. Malton quickly regained possession and passed out too wide and into touch for an Alligator lineout. Unfortunately, for the Alligators, Malton once again took control and made a break for the try line, successfully crossing it to score. Jack Hatfield restarted the game and with a return kick by Malton, it was Ethan Canet-Baldwin who caught and ran with the ball. Malton continued to threaten the Alligators and not all their attempts to reach the try line were successful as Oscar Cavill’s try-stopping tackle showed.

An Alligator scrum just over the half way line gave them a chance to regain control of the game, but after the referee had to restart the scrum no less than three times, Malton eventually won the ball and made the Alligators fight harder to prevent another try against them. Finally, it was a scrum awarded to Malton that concluded the game with a great drive forwards and a daring bid to cross the try line for the third and final time.

G3 - Driffield: As Driffield kicked off, newcomer Ellis Rimmington immediately clasped the ball from the air and charged forwards to clear good ground before succumbing to an oncoming Driffield defence. Driffield eventually gained possession to keep the ball in the Alligator half and a little too close to the try line.

The Alligators defended well against Driffield and even after a successful Driffield scrum, their efforts to charge towards the try line were quickly thwarted as George Boynton came to the rescue and nudged his man into touch for an Alligator lineout.

Driffield kept up the pressure and, with some clever ball work, managed to penetrate the Alligator defence and get the first try. The Alligators tried desperately to prevent Driffield from getting more try’s, executing every move as quickly as possible. A handing off by Driffield gave the Alligators a fighting chance to do something with the ball but alas they could not hang on to it for long.

A scrum for the Alligators just a few yards from Driffield’s try line was encouraging and they made a concentrated effort to keep play at that end. Driffield soon intercepted a loose ball and kicked it back up field, only for Ethan Canet-Baldwin to grab and bring back just before half time.

A second half kick by the Alligators allowed Jack Hatfield the opportunity to chase and retake the ball before getting tackled. Driffield kept up the pressure on the Alligator defence and eventually broke through and scored their second try.

Unfazed by Driffield’s persistent pounding, the Alligators retaliated with some pounding of their own by Ethan Canet-Baldwin and Sam Howard, who shared a joint effort to stop a definite try by pushing their opponent into touch. Driffield’s final assault came when Michael Walker executed a thunderous tackle to prevent any further try’s being scored.

G4 - Hullensians: The final game of the day, against Hullensians, proved to be a little more rewarding for the Alligators. Hullensians kicked off and the ball went straight into touch for an Alligator lineout. The Alligators immediately went on the attack, with a concentrated effort close to the try line. Unfortunately, a knock on prevented an early try for the Alligators.

The Alligators were feeling really confident and fancied their chances against Hullensians. Some great ball work with clear and focused minds finally paid off for the Alligators as Henry Harman took a great pass and charged over the try line to ground the first try of the day. Just before the half time whistle, the Alligators very nearly secured their second try, but sadly it was not awarded and they went into half time 5-0 up.

With the second half now under way, the Alligators were not about to let the game slip away from them and continued with their aggressive and much improved performance. However, a slight mishap nearly cost them as two Alligators decided to attempt to catch a high ball delivered by Hullensians, and in the scuffle, neither of them managed to keep hold of it.

A quick tap by George Boynton got the ball out to James Millington who stampeded through a wall of Hullensians to spectacularly slide over the try line and score. Not Content with just two try’s, the Alligators continued to hit hard and pass with greater accuracy in their bid to keep possession. A ball out to Correy Bennett and again to Oscar Cavill close to the Alligator try line saw a little scuffle develop as they tried frantically to reach the try line. Eventually it was Sam Howard’s quick thinking and taking of the ball that secured the third and final try of the day.

One final attempt to reach the other end came when Hullensians re-started the game with a high kick, brilliantly caught by Charlie Webster who immediately carried it as far as he could before being tackled. Hullensians attempts to take charge didn’t happen and they were forced to accept a 15-0 win to the Alligators.

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MAN OF THE MATCH: Jack Green-Morgan for his commitment in today’s event. Jack continues to impress with lifted enthusiasm and a dedicated attitude. His tackling was feisty and well executed and his ball work seemingly fine tuned and precise. Jack’s presence on the pitch and his role within the Alligators has always been a valuable asset and this season is by far no exception.

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MATCH SUMMARY:

Results:

Alligators 0 - 10 Pocklington

Alligators 0 - 15 Malton

Alligators 0 - 10 Driffield

Alligators 15 - 0 Hull Ensians

Try Scorers:

Henry Harman 1

James Millington 1

Sam Howard 1

Total Alligator Tries: 3

Conversions: - - Total Alligator Con’s: -

Attendance: 19/25 - (76%) Away