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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