Match Report

Ionians Alligators v Cleethorpes & Huddersfield U12’s

23^rd January 2011

G1 - Cleethorpes: The Alligators kicked off and with a glancing touch of the ball by Cleethorpes, it went straight into touch for an Alligator line-out. Put neatly in by Max Smeaton, the ball quickly found its way across to George Boynton after James Millington’s high line-out jump gave them immediate possession.

A penalty to Cleethorpes didn’t go as planned as Jack Green-Morgan responded with a brilliant catch and off-load to Charlie Webster who unfortunately soon got tackled. It wasn’t long though, before a maul broke out just a few yards from the try line and James Millington grabbed the ball and crushingly forced his way through a barrage of Cleethorpes defenders to lunge over the try line and score the first try of the day, soon after kick-off.

Cleethorpes restarted the game with a rather sloppy kick that was inevitably well taken by George Boynton who ran clear down the right-hand wing and, even with Cleethorpes close behind, managed to secure the Alligators’ second try in the top corner.

The Alligators gave a stunning display of accurate passing skills and even though Cleethorpes managed to steal once such ball close on half way, Jack Hatfield’s brilliant tackling ensured they didn’t have it for long. He quickly grabbed the ball and passed out wide to Charlie Cartmell on the left wing who successfully made it over the try line, only to be denied the try for ambiguously dropping the ball.

A great effort by Jack Hatfield to bulldoze his way through was quickly thwarted when Cleethorpes took control and escaped the clutches of the Alligators to make their own way over the try line and score.

As half time approached, the Alligators took the ball into a wrestle of a maul close to the try line, which very nearly saw them rewarded for their efforts. Ultimately it ended in a scrum to Cleethorpes, soon followed by the whistle, ending the first half 14-7 to the Alligators.

Cleethorpes got the second half under way and with a little but unfortunate knock-on by George Boynton, a scrum was given to Cleethorpes and they took full advantage, penetrating the Alligator defence to touch down their second try.

The Alligators tried desperately to regain and hold possession as Cleethorpes stepped up the pressure. A great effort by Jack Green-Morgan and Ethan Canet-Baldwin to reach the try line very nearly succeeded, but Cleethorpes managed to intercept and gain possession to kick the ball back down field. Their high kick didn’t stop Finlay Hills from catching it with considerable ease and making his way back up field.

Jack Hatfield, once again, made a courageous effort to get over the try line but was prevented from doing so when Cleethorpes managed to retake the ball and kick it into touch for an Alligator line-out on the half way line. It was James Millington who tightly held the ball and began lunging forwards before managing to off-load to Sam Howard, who was then tackled.

There was no letting up for Jack Hatfield as he successfully managed to prevent a sure try against the Alligators as he kept up the pressure with some magnificent tackling.

With just minutes to go before full-time and the score level, the Alligators made one last attempt to triumph over Cleethorpes, and this time it was Henry Harman who caught a loose ball and passed out wide to Charlie Webster in the hope he would make it down the wing and score, but sadly it wasn’t to be and Cleethorpes made the tackle and ended the game 14-14.

G2 - Huddersfield: The game against Huddersfield didn’t go quite as well as one would have hoped. Jack Hatfield got the game under way and the ball was immediately taken into touch by Huddersfield for an Alligator line-out.

Huddersfield didn’t waste any time in showing the Alligators what they were up against and, after only a minute or so of play, magnificently weaved their way through the helpless Alligators to touch down the first of several try’s against the home side.

Jack Green-Morgan stepped up to the mark and successfully prevented Huddersfield from gaining another early try by bringing his man crashing to the ground. Soon after, Huddersfield managed to regain control and made another dash for the try line, only to ground the ball several yards short. They then got up, crossed the try line but was held up.

Huddersfield did everything in their power to keep up the pressure on the Alligators and passed with considerable ease and accuracy, outwitting the Alligators at every turn. It wasn’t long before they notched up an abundance of try’s against the Alligators and were finding it surprisingly effortless to control the game.

The Alligators did, however, show some signs of skilful playing, especially in the line-outs and with James Millington’s natural ability to pluck the ball from mid air, he was able to slip it out to Sam Howard who managed to keep possession for a while before Huddersfield intercepted an unlucky pass and took control again. The Alligators soon retaliated and sent their opponent spiralling into touch for his efforts.

The first half now drawing to a close, it was Sam Howard who bravely and very nearly made a clear break for the try line, but was stopped short before he could reach it. The first ended with an embarrassing 26-0 lead to Huddersfield.

Huddersfield got the second half under way and soon began pressurising the Alligators with above average tackling and ball skills, enabling them to soon notch up another try moments after kick-off.

A glimmer of hope now faced the Alligators as Jack Hatfield restarted the game with an excellent volley up field which just glanced off a Huddersfield player close to the try line and sending the ball straight into touch for an Alligator line-out.

Matthew Gill was on form again as he successfully caught a long high ball, preventing Huddersfield from giving much of a chase.

Huddersfield’s relentless work kept the Alligators under constant threat and desperate to prevent an onslaught of try’s. One of which was masterfully thwarted by Jack Hatfield and his persistent tackling skills.

New to the Alligators, Ian Shimells showed positive signs of becoming a real danger to opposing sides as he waded his way in and brought his man thundering down with no difficulty at all.

Even heavily down on points, the Alligators kept up the spectacular tackling and most certainly prevented an over-abundance of try’s against them. Jack Hatfield and Ethan Canet-Baldwin made sure their man went safely into touch with a double barrel tackle.

Although the Alligators had moments of sheer brilliance, overall, their defence seemed to lack solidity, which left too many openings for Huddersfield to take advantage of. If the Alligators could have shown the same enthusiastic prowess in defence as they did in ball manipulation and some of the more challenging tackles, then Huddersfield would have experienced a far tougher game that could have so easily had a different outcome. Unfortunately for the Alligators, the game was to end 33-0 in favour of a well deserved Huddersfield side.

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MAN OF THE MATCH: Leon Caplin for his no-nonsense attitude. Leon never seems to give up when trying to bring the opposition to their knees, never shying away and never too afraid to get stuck in. His penetrable ability to force his way through and take down the opponent has been evident throughout Leon’s ‘come-back’ season so far and there appears to be no sign of him slowing down. He has become quite a delight to watch and a most worthwhile asset to the team.

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MATCH SUMMARY:

Results:

Alligators 14 - 14 Cleethorpes

Alligators 0 - 33 Huddersfield

Try Scorers:

James Millington 1

George Boynton 1

Total Alligator Tries: 2

Conversions:

Jack Hatfield 2

Total Alligator Con’s: 2

Attendance: 21/24 - (88%)

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Match Report

Ionians Alligators v Goole & Hull U12’s

9^th January 2011

G1 - Goole: Playing on a half size pitch, Goole got the game under way with a hefty kick caught by Oscar Cavill who went neatly into a maul with Kyro Kelly and James Millington immediately exerting pressure on Goole as they entered the maul. It was then George Boynton who tried to regain possession but unfortunately Goole were delighting in the pressure and retaliated with a well deserved try in the first five minutes.

A volley well up field by Jack Hatfield gave George Boynton the opportunity to thunder deep into Goole’s half. An Alligator scrum just a few yards from Goole’s try line gave them a chance, with a great tackle by James Millington, virtually on the try line, and a well placed pass by George Boynton to Jack Green-Morgan, on to Jack Hatfield then back to Jack Green-Morgan to eloquently deposit on the try line.

The Alligators had to fight hard to prevent Goole’s penetration, and with play close to the Alligator try line; George Boynton came to the rescue and took his opponent crashing into touch before Goole almost sneaked a try in the top corner. Just as George had done in one corner, when Goole pressurised, Jack Hatfield rescued the Alligators and sent his man flying into touch.

An Alligator line-out, neatly put in by Max Smeaton, made its way to George Boynton who wellied it up field and straight into touch for a Goole line-out just beyond half-way. Now in Goole’s half, Jack Green-Morgan and Leon Caplin maintained pressure with instant and effective tackling that nearly gave Jack Hatfield a clear run through having successfully gained possession.

Goole hastily began kicking at every opportunity, but fortunately for the Alligators, Matty Gill played his full-back position brilliantly as Goole desperately tried to get the ball back up field with a high kick. He homed in and caught the ball flawlessly, instantly charging forwards.

The Alligators’ ball manipulation was excellent and a great pass from George Boynton to Jack Hatfield and across to Sam Howard very nearly gave them another try but alas, Sam was taken down before he could reach the try line ending the first half 7-7.

Jack Hatfield got the second half under way and the Alligators gave immediate chase and tackled Goole but they still managed to get the ball out. James Millington and Jack Hatfield quickly responded, pounced and sent Goole into touch.

A Goole penalty very nearly cost the Alligators a try, and things didn’t improve when a scrum was lost to Goole’s swift intercepting skills. Luckily, the scrum was restarted and George Boynton wasn’t about to let them get the upper hand again as he ran to safety.

A little knock-on by Goole on the half-way line gave the Alligators an opportunity to take the lead. It was unfortunate that an otherwise lovely diving pass by George Boynton to Jack Green-Morgan went slightly forwards as it made its way across to Charlie Webster, giving Goole an opportunity to thunder towards the try line before crashing into a wall of Alligator defenders.

An unfortunate line-out for the Alligators on the half way line bounced back and was tapped into touch giving Goole the advantage with a line-out. The Alligators exerted a mass of energy putting up a tough defence against an eager Goole side as they came close to securing a winning try after a tense and aggressive maul in which James Millington, Leon Caplin and Oscar Cavill displayed immense stamina trying to retain possession. Eventually, the ball came loose and made its way across to Jack Hatfield who impulsively began barging his way through several Goole players before succumbing to their tough defenders.

With minutes to go, the Alligators, trying desperately to win a Goole line-out, got a break when the ball went straight back out for an Alligator line-out. A sneaky pass by George Boynton to Leon Caplin was enough to end the game in a draw, with neither side scoring in the second half.

G2 - Hull: A Hull kick-off saw the ball go immediately dead, giving the first scrum to the Alligators. Some accurate and well placed passing kept Hull at bay for a while but a sudden lapse in concentration meant that Hull very nearly made the try line first. Fortunately for the Alligators, a held-up call was given and spared them an early deficit. However, it wasn’t long before Hull gained the advantage, with a scrum just five yards out enabling them to quickly deploy the ball and charge over the Alligator try line to score.

High kicks seemed to be the order of the day, and Hull made no exception with their high volley deep into Alligator territory. It was newcomer, Finlay Hills who bravely called for the ball and made a concentrated and successful effort to grab it from the air and immediately off-load it to Ethan Canet-Baldwin to make an audacious attempt at scoring. The ball went wide and was quickly taken by Jack Hatfield who made the stunning dive across the try line to score.

Following a Hull scrum where George Boynton managed to steal the ball, a maul gave Sam Howard the chance to rip the ball away from his opponents, get it out to Oscar Cavill and back to George for a magnificent try in the top corner. The first half ended with a scramble of a maul and a scrum to Hull with no real threat to the Alligators.

The second half got under way with several long and high kicks from both sides. However, the Alligators had now mastered the art of receiving the high kick, and when Hull tried to outplay them with one such kick, an optimistic Sam Howard, whilst galloping up field, caught it perfectly. Although tackled, Sam was still able to off-load to Charlie Webster who took it into the maul.

The Alligators managed to keep play within Hull’s half for quite a while before another of Hull’s high kicks headed directly towards Sam Howard again. He wasn’t as lucky this time and the ball escaped his grasp but still went safely backwards.

Hull maintained a strong kicking game and their next volley went clean into touch for an Alligator line-out. Put in by Max Smeaton and taken by James Millington, the ball was taken straight into a maul and the Alligators tried frantically to cling on to it, but unfortunately Hull eventually gained possession and, following a penalty, immediately secured their final try.

With only two points in it and only a few minutes of play left, Charlie Cartmell hit a maul and made a sudden grab for the ball, passing it out to Sam Howard who made a quick bolt for the try line. Although Sam made the try line he was unlucky to have dropped the ball, but a great effort nevertheless. Seconds later, with no second half try’s, the game ended 14-12 to the Alligators.

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MAN OF THE MATCH: Jack Hatfield for his magnificent and courageous effort throughout both games. Jacks’ enthused attitude and his commitment to the game is a constant reminder why he is regarded as a high calibre player. Jacks’ tackling ability and his kicking skills have always been tremendously impressive. Against Hull in particular, he ensured the Alligators had maximum points to win the game by successfully converting all the Alligator try’s.

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MATCH SUMMARY:

Results:

Alligators 7 - 7 Goole

Alligators 14 - 12 Hull

Try Scorers:

Jack Green-Morgan 1

Jack Hatfield 1

George Boynton 1

Total Alligator Tries: 3

Conversions:

Jack Hatfield 3

Total Alligator Con’s: 3

Attendance: 19/22 - (86%)

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Sunday 16th Jan

To All

This sunday the U12's are training at Ionians, 10.30am start

We are not at Doncaster as the fixture book states, due to their Yorkshire cup committements

Hope to see all on Sunday

Regards

Tony Walker

Ionians Alligators v York U12’s

2^nd January 2011

After a long spell of bad weather preventing play, the Alligators took to the pitch full of enthusiasm and anxious to be unleashed. York kicked off and the ball landed comfortably with Henry Harman, who immediately charged forwards and began the punishing fight through a well prepared York defence. After being brought to the ground, York finally gained possession and, with a quick scrum deployment, kept up pressure and crossed the line to score the first try.

The Alligators retaliated with some positive tackling and when they very nearly penetrated York’s defence, York kicked a long ball, which although well chased by Matthew Gill, went straight over the dead ball line.

A high tackle on James Millington close to the half way line appeared to give the Alligators a slight advantage for a while and the efforts of Leon Caplin to prevent York from getting through for another certain try was quite exemplary, making two very courageous tackles in quick succession.

An Alligator line-out saw play concentrate in one area for a while before they won a scrum and nudged play closer towards York’s try line. The next Alligator line-out was less than successful, as York bravely gained immediate possession and raced down the wing and over the try line.

After successfully notching up two try’s in the first half, York went into the break with a 14 point lead and the Alligators now had their work cut out for them.

After an exceptionally long half-time break, while officials disputed the games’ continuation due to inclement weather conditions, the decision to continue was made and Jack Hatfield got the game underway. An unfortunate return kick by York bounced awkwardly and graciously intercepted by George Boynton who kept possession.

After restarting several scrums, the ball eventually made its way across the pitch to Ethan Canet-Baldwin, who although missed a crucial pass, soon rectified the situation with a stunning tackle that prevented York from gaining anything other than a scrum.

The Alligators fought hard and showed more aggression as James Millington penetrated York’s defence but was brought down and temporarily lost the ball. York then kicked it straight into touch for an Alligator line-out, which York soon intercepted. It was then down to James Millington to once again regain possession and go straight into a maul.

With the pressure mounting, some great passing by Jack Green-Morgan across to Henry Harman and over to Ethan Canet-Baldwin was a sure sign that the Alligators were now quite focused and determined to make the score sheet. A strong hold in the top corner ensured James Millington kept possession and barged his way across the try line to score the first Alligator try of 2011.

York hit straight back with some equally as good ball work and managed to successfully weave their way through several Alligators to cross the try line at the other end. With the Alligators taken by surprise, York made another daring attempt to dash the full length of the pitch to notch up their fourth and final try of the day.

Angered by their poor defending, the Alligators made one final attempt to make it over the try line themselves. It came when George Boynton masterfully grabbed the ball from a maul and weaved his way through several York defenders to score the final try of the day.

With only minutes to go, the Alligators maintained a strong defence and prevented York from notching up any further try’s, ending the game 28-14 in favour of York.

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MAN OF THE MATCH: Ethan Canet Baldwin for his enthusiasm and shining determination in today’s game. Ethan’s continued improvement in his playing ability and his passion for the game is abundantly clear. Often seen out on the wing, he gets stuck in at every opportunity and never shy’s away from a difficult situation. He remained confident throughout the game and played his part exceptionally well.

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MATCH SUMMARY:

Results:

Alligators 14 - 28 York

Try Scorers:

James Millington 1

George Boynton 1

Total Alligator Tries: 2

Conversions:

Jack Hatfield 2

Total Alligator Con’s: 2

Attendance:

18/25 - (86%)

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