Match Report

Ionians Alligators v Selby U12’s

6^th March 2011

The Alligators travelled to Selby today, for an anticipated tough game, but their enthusiastic approach and high self-esteem after beating Driffield last week would give them the confidence boost that would ultimately reap its rewards.

Selby got the game under way, with an immediate taking by Matty Gill who took the ball into a maul along the wing. A great pass by Jack Hatfield down the line and out to the wing landed once again with Matty, but it was slightly knocked-on, giving Selby the first scrum of the game close on the half way line. Almost straight after, a pass by Michael Walker from a maul strayed and made its way into Selby hands but was immediately knocked-on for an Alligator scrum.

Some good ball work by the Alligators seemed a little hasty at times, with a George Boynton pass to Michael Walker and over to Finlay Hills’ pass to Sam Howard, knocked-on first by Finlay for a Selby scrum. For the large part, the Alligators’ ball work was exemplary and when James Millington took possession in a tight maul, he wasn’t about to let Selby grab it, and forced his way through, barging across the try line to secure the first try of the day.

Selby soon gained possession and, for the first time, entered Alligator territory, threatening to score a try. Fortunately, Alligators’ Leon Caplin was on form and not about to let Selby penetrate the Alligator defence and gave a perfect tackle to stop them. The ball ended up on the foot of George Boynton who made sure it was safely kicked well back into Selby’s half and chased up to keep play at the opposing end.

A little knock-on by Jack Green-Morgan deep into Selby’s half gave Selby the scrum but the Alligator’s soon regained possession and Jack was quick in rectifying the error by giving a long wide pass out to wing man Matty Gill who took it down into a maul. A great off-load to James Millington and across to Charlie Cartmell looked like another try was imminent as Charlie made his way past several defenders before finally succumbing to the might of several Selby players.

An attempt by Selby to kick the ball deep into the Alligators’ half went clear into touch for an Alligator line-out. James Millington made light work of getting the ball away from Selby and began his unique and forceful barging technique to edge his way closer to the try line, eventually breaking free and crossing the line for his second try of the day.

A mindful effort was made by Guy Whittaker to keep the ball in play close on the touch line and just as Guy was edging closer towards the line, he managed a successful off-load to Jack Green-Morgan. Unfortunately, play was just too close to the touch line and a slight push by Selby sent Jack over for a Selby line-out.

Selby gained the upper hand when a loose ball was quickly taken and, with a brilliant dash down the wing, Selby’s only try of the game was given.

With the Alligators’ dominance of the game now threatened, George Boynton quickly gained possession and brought the ball sideways across the pitch and, trying desperately to find either an opening or a safe off-load, finally passed out to Michael Walker before getting tackled. Michael then looked quickly for his off-load, which went to Jack Hatfield who tried hard to reach the try line but was brought down before he could reach it and lost the ball.

With only moments to go before the half time whistle, Selby kicked deep into the Alligator’s half for Jack Hatfield to take and bring back to relative safety.

Finlay Hills showed no mercy as he got stuck in and, after receiving the ball out on the wing, tried in vain to bolt for the try line but was knocked hard into touch just yards from touchdown.

As the half time whistle sounded, the Alligators were exceedingly pleased with a 12-7 lead over Selby but remained fully aware that it would be hard to maintain a lead for the rest of the game.

Michael Walker got the second half under way and quickly gave chase to re-capture the ball. After successfully gaining possession, Michael passed out to Ethan Canet-Baldwin who made the dash along the wing, bringing the Alligator’s a little closer to the try line before getting tackled.

A cross pass gave Michael Walker the chance to weave through several Selby players and cross the line to make it 19-7 to the Alligators, after another successful conversion by Jack Hatfield.

A Selby kick saw Guy Whittaker make the catch and off-load for James Millington to push forward, giving the Alligator’s some good ground before passing out to Sam Howard who did pretty much the same before a Selby tackle brought him thumping to the ground.

The Alligator’s, although having a great game, did however drop a few balls, allowing Selby the benefit of repeated scrums. After a ‘double’ knock-on by the Alligator’s, Selby took the scrum and then knocked-on themselves, giving the Alligator’s their own scrum. A magnificent push by the Alligator’s gave James Millington the chance to break away, ball in hand, and charge over the try line for a wonderfully accomplished hat-trick that now gave the Alligators a 26-7 advantage.

Ethan Canet-Baldwin’s maul pass was a fine example of how to execute a maul and with the ball getting across the pitch and a little up field it went into touch for a Selby line-out. Soon after, a scrum awarded to Selby close on their try line was soon deployed and went into a scuffle of a maul to keep play concentrated in Selby’s half for a while.

The first penalty of the game, awarded to Selby, gave them a glimmer of hope and a chance to lessen the deficit, although there seemed little hope of them surpassing the Alligators’ hefty lead. They executed a great kick deep into the Alligator’s half but it was well stopped by Jack Hatfield who brought it back into the safety of Selby’s half.

The Alligator’s were passing with extreme accuracy and, although a brilliant line pass out to Ethan Canet-Baldwin on the wing resulted in him being forcibly taken into touch, it was a great display of team work by the Alligator’s nevertheless.

It was certainly another exciting game for the Alligator’s and their scrum work was a distinct improvement on previous games. Another forceful heave by the Alligator’s enabled Sam Howard to steal the ball and successfully make a clean break for the try line. With several Selby players trying to stop him, Sam escaped the futile attempts, ripping himself away from their clutches and eventually crossing the line to score the final try of the game.

A great kick and chase by Michael Walker was promptly returned when Selby did the same, with Matty Gill waiting to catch the ball for the quick off-load. Guy Whittaker played his part well to keep hold of the ball before passing back to Matty who was unfortunately tackled. Sam Howard and James Millington continued their efforts to cling onto the ball and were fully aware that only minutes of the game remained and all they had to do was maintain possession.

After a Selby line-out and with the last play of the game announced, the game was drawing to its conclusion with a well executed maul by Selby, although it did very little to prevent the Alligator’s from gaining possession and very nearly gave Leon Caplin the chance for a last minute try. Sadly his efforts didn’t pay off and he was tackled, ending the game with a comfortable 33-7 win for the Alligator’s.

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MAN OF THE MATCH: James Millington for yet another fantastically motivated performance, not to mention the highly praised hat trick that came as a result of James’ persistence in the mauls. James is a magnificent pack leader and leads by example, often with amazing results. His commitment to the Alligators and the game of Rugby is abundantly clear, as is his quest for a triumphant season finale. A worthy candidate of this week’s ‘Man of the Match’, without doubt.

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MATCH SUMMARY:

Results:

Alligators 33 - 7 Selby

Try Scorers:

James Millington 3

Michael Walker 1

Sam Howard 1

Total Alligator Tries: 5

Conversions:

Jack Hatfield 3

Michael Walker 1

Total Alligator Con’s: 4

Attendance:

16/22 - (73%)

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