NEAB v Brighouse Rangers – 19/03/2022: Saturday 19th March -

After a stop start week with players away and a number of players falling ill, our first home game of the season went ahead against Brighouse Rangers. 

At the insistence of the opposition to play this game, the All Black’s boys used this as motivation to come out firing on all cylinders, and went into an early 14-0 lead with tries from Liam Gargan, Dan Atkinson and Jack Stearman.

This seemed to shock Brighouse into playing some good rugby, and they fought back to make it 18 all at half time, after a further New Earswick try from captain, and stand in half back, Sean Malarky.

This set the second half up nicely, with the All Black’s starting the second half as they did the first, with a strong display in attack and defence, typified by man of the match Will Holmes.

After having a couple of efforts disallowed, New Earswick added to their scoreline with tries from Steve Clarke and Ben Husband.

Brighouse managed to hit back late on to make it 30-24 and set up a nervy ending for the home side.

Special mentions going out to all the players who turned out after illness, and clearly weren’t fully fit to play. They were all outstanding and showed the spirit of the squad this season. 
To Joe Harrison for his second very strong performance in a row, and earning praise from coach Delaney.

And finally…. to Joe Stearman, who got to take to the field again with twin brother Jack, after a ten year absence from the game. Quite a turnaround from a guy who ‘just came back to training for some fitness’, and looked like he’d never been away.
Up the Blacks.