Ionians Alligators v Huddersfield U12’s
13h March 2011
After three successful wins, today was something of a disappointment for the Alligator’s. However, some carefully executed tackles and ball manipulation certainly prevented a greater onslaught of tries.
The game started with a good kick that Huddersfield struggled to catch. The Alligator’s chased well and went straight into a maul. James Millington tried his best to force through Huddersfield’s defenders which showed promising signs of the Alligator’s breaking away.
A Huddersfield penalty, received rather hastily by Jack Hatfield, was quickly off-loaded to Jack Green-Morgan and over to Matty Gill who got shoved into touch close to the try line. Guy Whittaker came to the rescue, when a large Huddersfield player tried making a break for the try line, and Guy thrust his body around the player to bring him to the ground.
Huddersfield made good use of a line-out with a great catch to bolt down the wing and over the try line. Unfortunately, a double hand-off stopped the try being given and saved the Alligator’s an early deficit. The Alligator’s gave too many clumsy passes and misguided off-loads, allowing Huddersfield to win scrums and line-outs. However, not all passes and off-loads were disastrous. A George Boynton scrum pass to Guy Whittaker, which made its way across to Jack Green-Morgan with a successful off-load to Matty Gill on the wing, was brilliant and would have been spectacular try had Matty not been tackled.
Huddersfield were full of confidence and with a great pass across the pitch, they made it over the try line to score. A knock-on by the Alligator’s nearly gave Huddersfield a chance to sneak another quick try when they were awarded scrum. Michael Walker maintained the pressure and tackled ferociously to prevent Huddersfield from getting through again.
A pass from the scrum and out to Michael Walker went a little too far and he tried desperately to rectify the error and regain possession, quickly off-loading to Jack Hatfield. The Alligator’s seemed unable to keep hold of the ball and Huddersfield were quick to take advantage when a knock-on close to the Alligator try line gave them a scrum and a chance to claim another try, which came with relative ease.
When Huddersfield tried to make another clean break down the wing, Michael Walker quickly thwarted their attempts to get through and sent their player crashing into touch.
A penalised Alligator line-out, for not being straight, gave Huddersfield a choice, line-out or scrum. They took the scrum and kept possession for while, but Michael Walker soon pounced as the ball emerged and, with the help of Ian Shimmells’, the Huddersfield player collapsed in a heap under the weight crushing down on him.
Just before half time, Huddersfield made a final attempt to cross the line. Although Guy Whittaker tried desperately to stop them, Huddersfield broke free and made it over the line to make it 21-0 at half-time.
With the second half under way, a scuffle close to the Alligator try line nearly gave Huddersfield the chance of an early try but the ball went out of play for an unsuccessful Alligator line out. James Millington’s efforts to barge his way into a maul and prevent Huddersfield from off-loading was exceptional, as was George Boynton’s efforts to get his man into touch with a fantastic and forceful tackle.
Huddersfield continued to make every effort to get through the Alligator defence; with kicks being well received and delivered down the wing for the Alligator’s to defend. Another great tackle by Guy Whittaker prevented Huddersfield from getting through but didn’t stop the off-load and Michael Walker quickly intercepted and kicked it straight into touch.
Sam Howard bravely took on his opponent when the Alligator’s were in danger of another try against them. Having gained the ball, Sam passed out to Leon Caplin who retained possession until he was taken into touch close to his own try line.
A scrum pass that went astray fell into the hands of Huddersfield and although Guy Whittaker made a great tackle to stop them, the ball was off-loaded and Huddersfield got another try.
The ball eventually made its way ball back up field and into touch for an Alligator line-out. Although passed out well, a lapse in concentration allowed it to go loose and lost Alligator’s a chance to score.
The Alligator’s appeared to lack the required concentration needed to stay in the game and when Huddersfield controlled a maul close to the home try line, it was inevitable they would score after successfully breaking free of a maul and weaving over the try line. Soon after, the ball once again made its way into Alligator territory and a missed kick cost the Alligator’s dearly when Huddersfield bolted down the wing and crossed the try line again.
Although the Alligator’s executed some brilliant tackles and did their best to maintain possession, Huddersfield dominated the game. Even Leon Caplin’s superb grasp of the ball, after a pass from Guy Whittaker, was taken by Huddersfield and George Boynton’s dumping tackle to prevent Huddersfield from getting through didn’t prevent the ball from escaping and making its way over the try line.
As the final minutes approached and with the Alligator’s becoming fatigued, a forward pass gave them a glimmer of hope with a scrum. A late tackle on George Boynton didn’t stop him from off-loading to Jack Hatfield but after a few more wing passes, the ball fell into the hands of Huddersfield and the final play of the game was over, ending 50-0 to Huddersfield.
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MAN OF THE MATCH: Michael Walker for a stunning tackling game that contributed towards the Alligator’s not being completely humiliated. Michael never gave up and carefully positioned himself to execute the perfect tackle that left Huddersfield dazed. His manoeuvrability around the pitch was outstanding and his confidence going into the tackles were second to none.
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MATCH SUMMARY:
Results:
Alligators 0 - 50 Huddersfield
Try Scorers: - -
Total Alligator Tries: -
Conversions: - -
Total Alligator Con’s: -
Attendance: 18/22 - (82%) Home
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