YM PREMIER LEAGUE: NEAB V NOTTINGHAM OUTLAWS – SATURDAY 7TH MAY: Saturday 11th June -
The open age returned to action this weekend with the visit of the Nottingham Outlaws.
This was shaping up to be a tough weekend with the visiting side having some decent results recently, and the All Black’s not having a game for 5 weeks.
The home side started strongly with some great attacking play and some solid defensive efforts.
After a great spell of pressure building on the Nottingham line, the first try came from Jack Stearman, with a trademark ‘crash’ from close range, taking a number of players over with him, 4-0 to the All Blacks.
The call from coach Brett Delaney was to stick to the process and not over-play due to the very windy conditions.
This paid dividends with more meticulous build up play, with centre Ben Husband being held up inches from the line.
The All Blacks continued to build pressure which lead to the next try after a clever high hanging kick from a Liam Gargan and a big kick chase forcing the Outlaws full back to make an error and great reactions from Jack Law who scooped up the loose ball managing to go over for a score with a powerful run and tackle bust to get over the line, Conor Calam adding the extras bringing the score to 10-0 to the All Blacks.
The All Black’s grew in confidence and looked good with the ball, which resulted in Will Holmes picking up the first try of his hat trick. After some eye catching play with Liam Gargan feeding full back Ewan Coverdale who played Holmes in with a well timed pass, 14-0 to the All Blacks.
The lack of game fitness started to kick in around the half hour mark with the All Black’s becoming sloppy in possession and Nottingham gaining the ascendancy, picking up the last try before half time after a interception from the Outlaws centre and rushing away to score leaving the score at 14-4 at the break.
The second half started much as the first had ended with the All Black’s completion rate being poor, and the away side using this to their advantage, crossing the line first bringing the score to 14-10.
After some stern words from captain Sean Malarkey, the All Black’s steadied the ship and went back to basics. With good ball work and good foot work, Holmes ran in two more tries out wide to complete his hat trick bringing the score 22-10.
Nottingham managed to pull a try back but Brett Delaney’s men made the points safe with two more close range tries from man of the match Jack Stearman who ploughed his was over the line after hooker Connor Iddon jumped out from dummy half and tipping on to Stearman, and Ewan Coverdale who went from dummy half after spotting a broken goal line defence.
The final score 30-14 in the All Blacks favour.
ALL BLACKS LINE UP:
1. Dean Smith Sponsored by Shane Sissons Loft Conversions
2. Callum Jukes Sponsored by LPIS Ltd
3. Will Holmes Sponsored by European Window Sales
4. Ben Husband Sponsored by LB Scaffolding
5. Josh Prenty Sponsored by Taal Roofing
6. Conor Calam Sponsored by C&C Building & Brickwork
7. Liam Gargan Sponsored by The Yorkshire Clipper Barbers
8. Jack Stearman Sponsored by Stearman Ventures
9. Connor Iddon Sponsored by Atropa Pharmacy
10. Luke Prenty Sponsored by Taal Roofing.
11. Jack Law Sponsored by The Yorkshire Clipper Barbers
12. Stephen Clarke Sponsored by Simon Baynes Wholesale
13. Sean Malarkey (C) Sponsored by BSAP
14. Jack Carling Sponsored by Judge Electrical Ltd.
15. Harry Pearce Sponsored by Castles UK
16. Ewan Coverdale Sponsored by Sanderson Plumbing & Heating
17. Angus Barrick Sponsored by Green Box Thinking.
H.C. Brett Delaney Sponsored by PT Fire Services
TRIES: Jack Stearman (2), Jack Law (1), Will Holmes (3), Ewen Coverdale (1).
CONVERSIONS: Conor Calam (1/7).
MAN OF MATCH: Jack Stearman Sponsored by Stearman Ventures.