Match Report

York Festival

Ionians Alligators v Otley, York ‘A’ & Selby U12’s

10^th April 2011

G1 - Otley: The Alligator’s got the game underway and soon gained a penalty to keep possession. James Millington and Michael Walker got stuck in straight away with some excellent and forceful tackling to keep Otley at bay.

Ethan Canet-Baldwin stepped up to the mark in a concentrated effort to grab the ball and charge down the wing before getting tackled.

A little over a quarter of the game had gone when Otley took advantage of a lapsed opening in the Alligator defence and bolted through to score the first try.

The first line-out went to the Alligator’s and with the ball quickly deployed, it made its way over to Michael Walker, who weaved his way through several Otley players, tugging at his shirt, to cross the line and score.

Oscar cavill made light of catching the high ball and taking it into the maul and placing it out well. Newcomer Benji Smales also made a good first impression with some well thought out tackling, close on the try line to stop Otley from scoring.

As half time approached, a maul close to the try line was held well by the Alligator’s as they prevented Otley from stealing the ball. The half time whistle sounded as the maul broke away, ending the first half in a draw.

Otley kicked the second half off with a long ball, well caught by Benji Smales, blending in well with his new teams mates.

The Alligator’s executed some good line passing and when the ball came back across the line and onto the wing, Matty Gill made every effort to outrun the opposition but was taken into touch for an Otley line out deep in their half.

Jack Hatfield quickly spotted Otley making a clean break for the try line and gave chase, knocking their player into touch and preventing an otherwise try.

A knock-on by Otley gave the Alligator’s a scrum and a chance to keep possession. George Boynton very neatly back flicked the ball out to Michael Walker, who charged forwards and into a maul with a well executed lay-off to get the ball out.

Otley piled on the pressure and challenged the Alligator’s to a sprint down the wing. Unfortunately, Otley just managed to elude the Alligator’s and make it over the try line to score.

Michael Walker gave a good kick and chase in his attempt to recapture the ball, but Otley once again managed to force their way through and scrape over the try line for the third and final time. The game ended soon after with a dormant maul that concluded with a 15-5 win to Otley.

G2 – York ‘A’: The Alligator’s kicked off and although taken well by York, James Millington charged in a snatched the ball and took it straight into a maul.

A good effort was made by Guy Whittaker to keep the ball away from York as he tried to off-load going into a maul.

York’s line-out didn’t go as planned when James Millington leapt high and grabbed the ball and passed out.

York took advantage of a loose ball and weaved their way through to cross the try line and score. Almost straight after securing their first try, York capitalised on their rush of adrenalin with another charge down the full length of the wing to record a second quick try. Fortunately for the Alligator’s, York dropped the ball on the try line and the try was chalked off. However, soon after, a similar and more successful attempt was made by York and this time they touched down the second try without dropping it.

An unfortunate injury to Joseph Bradley right on half time ended the first half 10-0 to York.

York kicked off the second half and chased well, preventing Charlie Cartmell taking, what would have been a lovely catch. As York tried to penetrate the Alligator defence, Benji Smales and Guy Whittaker were immediately on hand to prevent them from getting through. Despite the efforts of both these players, the Alligator’s couldn’t stop York from eventually getting through and cementing another try.

Even with the odds against them, the Alligator’s remained focused and channelled all their energy into executing the perfect mauls. With James Millington’s courageous and forceful approach, the mauls were moving nicely for the Alligator’s. As the ball found its way out of a maul, Oscar Cavill and Ian Shimmels were ready to barge their way through and cross the try line. Eventually it was Guy Whittaker who received an off-load that would allow him to weave nicely through York’s defence and touch down the try.

The Alligator’s maintained the pressure on York with some excellent try-stopping tackles until the full time whistle ended the game 15-5 to York.

G3 - Selby: The Alligator’s kicked off and the ball soon found its way back into Alligator territory for Ethan Canet-Baldwin to take possession. Selby were quick to attack and took Ethan straight into touch for a line-out. Roles were quickly reversed as James Millington’s attempt to grab the ball prevented Selby from keeping it in play and a line-out was awarded to the Alligator’s.

Selby’s ball control was quite a delight to watch, as they managed a succession of perfect passes along the line and out to the wing. Unfortunately for them, Benjamin Smales was also on the wing and pounced as the last man caught the ball, sending him flying into touch. Selby soon regrouped, regained possession and tried another line pass across the wing and this time, succeeded in getting the ball up field and over the try line to score.

Ethan Canet-Baldwin made sure that Selby did not secure a second try this half, with a brilliant try saving tackle that sent Selby crashing into touch and giving the Alligator’s a well deserved line-out. Charlie Cartmell caught the ball and tried desperately to get through the Selby defenders but was nudged into touch before he could get far.

James Millington’s effort to keep momentum in a maul was quite commendable, having lost his boot and going into a maul barefooted. The first half came to a close soon after the maul on the half way line with a 5-0 lead for Selby.

Selby gave a high kick to get the second half under way but Michael Walker made light work of catching the ball and charging forward.

A knock-on on the half way line gave Selby a scrum but then a dropped ball, which didn’t do them any favours, gave a scrum to the Alligator’s.

Selby hit the Alligator defence hard, eventually sneaking through a forced opening to cross the line and pinch a second try.

Not content with a blank score sheet, the Alligator’s hyped up the pressure on Selby, casting aside players, as George Boynton so eloquently did when Selby attempted to pick up a discarded ball. George pounced in an instant and slung the Selby player to one side before grounding the ball for the Alligator’s.

Jack Hatfield’s quick thinking try-stopping tackles paid off once again for the Alligator’s when he prevented Selby from gaining a third try with a lunging tackle near the try line. The Alligator’s were quick to gain possession and it was Guy Whittaker who bolted back into Selby’s half before getting tackled and ending the game 10-5 to Selby.

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MAN OF THE MATCH: James Millington for yet another magnificent performance. The Alligator’s may not have achieved any silverware at York, but the standard of playing was exceptional, especially that of James who never lets the side down and never shy’s away from a tough situation. James’ ability to edge a maul several yards is one of his biggest assets and a real challenge for the opposition to stop him. His contribution in this Festival most certainly helped prevent the Alligator’s from suffering a heavy deficit.

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MATCH SUMMARY:

Results: Alligators 5 - 15 Otley

Alligators 5 - 15 York ‘A’

Alligators 5 - 10 Selby

Try Scorers:

Michael Walker 1

Guy Whittaker 1

George Boynton 1

Total Alligator Tries: 3

Conversions: None Taken -

Attendance: 16/22 - (73%)

Away