PAN DOWN SCREEN FOR OLDER REPORTS
Grimsby 2ndXV 36 Scunthorpe 3rdXV 0
Grimsby entertained local rivals Scunthorpe knowing that a victory and the right outcome of the Barton and Market Rasen game would be enough to give them the title in the Lincolnshire merit league. Well they did their part with what turned out to be a comprehensive victory. The score line to a degree didn't reflect the game which was a close and edgy affair, the difference was the home sides tackling was just a little stronger.
From the start it was clear it would be a good game with the visitors pressing well in the early stages. The Grimsby defence stood firm however and showed their new found attacking intent when they broke out of defence from their own 22 with good linking work between forwards and backs. The game ebbed and flowed around the half way line with neither team able to break the other down. After a rolling maul Scunthorpe shipped the ball to their big second row who made a good 20 metre break, he was stopped on the line by Mark Spreadbury, Tony Bristow and Mike Burton. Seeing three backs tackle the biggest man on the pitch seemed to spur on the Grimsby forwards on and they started to get a hold on the game. They began to carry ball forward in a more positive manner and at the right body angle. This combined with the referee now pulling the visitors back line for being offside allowed Grimsby to work into Scunthorpe 's half. The first points on the board was a penalty for offside converted by Darren Spreadbury who had a cracking game taking the score to 3-0 to Grimsby. From yet another penalty Ben Holt spun the ball to his father Ronnie Holt he fed Dean Dymond who crashed up the middle. A ruck was formed and Ronnie Holt was again shipped the ball he broke through the defence and then passed to Scott Barker. He strode for the line as only he can. The Scunthorpe full back attempted a goal line tackle but was obliterated in the process with Barker touching down for a well worked score. The Conversion was nailed by Spreadbury taking the score to 10-0. Both teams then had many forays into each others halves but Grimsby were the only ones to capitalise on their chances. Phil Hartshorn carried on one occasion hitting the huge Scunthorpe second row, it was like two planets colliding. The Scunthorpe player being quite badly winded, this turned out to be a turning point as he had been very influential up until then and was quite for the rest of the game. From the half way line it was passed right to Bristow he spun and turned out of two tackles before passing to Lee Burke. He dummied the first defender and broke over the 22 metre line. The next defender was sold a dummy too and with one man outside him and just one defender to go he chose the hat trick of dummies option to score a great try. The conversion went over like a missile barely a foot above the bar making the score 17-0. Scunthorpe were the more dominant for the rest of the half but the home side were able to cope with the dangerous rolling maul they faced, and the Scunthorpe 10 kicked far to much good ball away. The half time whistle blew after a great 40 minutes of rugby.
Subs at half time saw Tim Lansley-Hogg come on for Dymond and Little Joe replace David Beard. Both of which got into the game early in the second half clearing out at a ruck to set up good ball for the home sides back line. The ball was spun out to Bristow 10 metres out, he spun out of one tackle and raced for the line. Just short of the line he was held up but he powered over with 2 would be tacklers failing to stop him reaching over the line to score. Spreadury slotted the conversion taking the score to 24-0. With the weather getting worse the game got better with the home side finally beginning to dominate the visitors. The home side's next score went to James Bowen who is scoring for fun since his promotion from the third team. He received the ball just outside the 22 and showed good wing skills to take his man on the outside, as all wingers should have the confidence to do. He kept close to the touch line to score out wide on the left wing. The conversion was narrowly missed taking the score to 29-0. Grimsby then had to reshuffle the side as Steve O'Brien had to leave the field with a nasty bang to the head. He was replaced by Greg Midgely in the front row. The home side continued to dominate the game but failed to score, until a good piece of individual skill by the home sides number ten. Spreadbury realising the visitors defence were rushing up fast, chipped over and chased. The Scunthorpe full back hesitated for a moment which was enough for Spreadbury to regather his own kick and make a thirty metre dash for the line and score. He converted his own try to give the final score of 36-0.
Grimsby did their part in winning the Lincs merit league with man of the match going to Darren Spreadbury but he was given a run for his money by Tony Bristow.
A nervous wait saw the bar fuller than usual, and when the news came through it was all good, Market Rasen had Beaten Barton to hand the Grimsby Second string the merit league for the second year in the row.
A good season for the second team with a great start and finish sandwiching a bit of a wobble mid season. Congratulation to all the players that have turned out for Grimsby seconds this year, from the Captain Dean Dymond and manager Nick Dale.
WITHERNSEA 1 stXV 5 GRIMSBY 2 ndXV 79
Grimsby were due to play Hull Ionians which is tradionally a hard game. This game however was called off because of a water logged pitch. Withernsea was found as a late replacement and it was like a feather weight getting into the ring against a world championship heavyweight. Although the men north off the Humber were physically bigger than the Grimsby side, the Grimsby side were head and shoulders above their opposition in skill.
After winning the toss the home side decided to take the deep end of the water logged pitch . Withernsea soon began to wither under the Grimsby might, the first score coming in the first attack. The backs linked well and the ball finished in the hands of James Bowen . He powered past 4 would be tacklers to score a try from around 30 metres out. The next try was scored by James Bowen yet again and could have been an instant replay of the first try, the backs linking well and four would be tacklers yet again failing to stop the big man. The next try saw Clem Cardaso receive the ball from Slosmanis after a number 8 pick up. Clem sprinted round the last man to touch down. All three conversions were kicked By Daz Daly taking the score to 21-0 to Grimsby . This was to stay the score for the next 15 minutes as Grimsby had a period of the butter fingers. Several clear cut chances going astray as the last pass went behind the man or to ground. The score got going again through Daz Daly who received a sloppy pass and did well to regather. The best tackle of the day then happened when two Withernsea defenders performed a pincer movement to cut him in half, the only problem being he had danced his way out of trouble leaving the two tacklers to poleaxe the poor referee. Daly then broke the rest of the 60 metres to score under the posts. Try number 5 went to Cardaso. Lee Burke received a kick in his own 22, he broke right and with a great dummy was soon behind the defence. He released the ball on the half way line to Dymond who came back on the angle in field. He committed the hard worked full back before shipping the ball to Cardaso. Who had a simple 30 metre run in for his second. Their should have been another score before half time but Mike Burton after making an 80 metre break forgot that you have to hold onto the ball as you dive to score and through the ball over the try line!! The half time score was 33-0 to Grimsby .
Playing up the hill should have slowed down the points scoring but that wasn't to be the case as Grimsby increased the point's rate. The first score of the second half going to Burton who powered over after good straight running from his centre partner Bristow. The next try was for James Bowen who was the first of 3 players to get a hat trick , he yet again showed good strength and straight running was the way to beat the defenders. The second team manager Nick Dale was next to score after several phases of play he flopped over from one yard to score. Daz Daly was next to score when the restart was grubbered down the middle yet again he had his dancing shoes on and stepped away from the would be tackler. The rest of the home defence were still debating the previous try and never noticed him race the next 60 metres to score. The second hat trick of the day went to Cardaso who went on one of his trade mark mazy runs, bamboozling the opposition with his speed and foot work. The rout continued with when Ian McDonald ghosted through a gap more like a centre than a lock. He broke 30 metres and passed to his fellow second row Nick Purewal, he committed the last defender and popped to Mike Burton to score his second. Daz Daly made it a hat trick of hat tricks when he got his third. Several phases of play finally saw him released by Ben Holt, and he went over to take his days point tally to a whopping 29 with 3 try's and 7 conversions. The last try for Grimsby saw the captain Dean Dymond pick up at a ruck after O'Brien and Pomfret had secured the ball. He broke right and shook of a despairing tackle to scorch up the touch line. A last gap tackle failed to stop him even though it had 29 players willing the tackler to succeed. With the last play of the game Withernsea showed they never gave up by finally crossing the visitors try line. A well worked line out and drive saw their powerful second row touch down. The final whistle went taking the score to 5-79 to Grimsby .
A good team performance that saw the backs used effectively for the first time this year. Bristow, Burke and Daly in the backs all played well but man of the match must go to James Bowen who showed that his lessons learned at third team level stood him in good stead for the call up to the second team. A much harder game next week against Scunthorpe 3 rd 's but if the backs and forwards can link this well again it should make a very good close game.
Grimsby 2nd XV 43 Market Rasen 2nd XV 3
Grimsby entertained local rivals Market Rasen on a day of near perfect weather for Rugby . Grimsby had some quick reshuffling to do after the referee failed to arrive, Dymond taking up the whistle and Clem Cardaso coming in to open side.
Grimsby showed their intentions early with straight running from the off. It wasn't long before the first score was on the board for the home side. After some good defence by the visitors a quick penalty was taken and after a sharp ruck the ball was spun to Russ Wilkie. While working in the the third world he seems to have discovered the ability to catch a ball. Then showing good pace he rounded the defence to score the conversion was missed 5-0. Grimsby were soon back in the Rasen 22. From a line out the ball was shipped to Lee Burke who fed Jan Slosmanis inside he went on one his characteristic runs to score just right of the post , conversion missed 10-0. The home side went to sleep for a ten minute period which allowed Rasen to play some rugby. Stout defence from the home side allowed only a penalty to be scored though taking the score to 10-3. The next score was a cracker the backs linked superbly with Mike Burton breaking the gain line. Tony Bristow looped him and then went a mazy run bumping and rolling of would be tacklers. After making a good fifty metres and with the try line beckoning he showed great awareness to commit the last defender to him and pass to the ever youthful Steve Clayton. Who had a simple job to trot over to score the conversion was kicked by Lee Burke taking the score to 17-3 at half time.
A second ref was found allowing the home team captain to join the fray. Clayton left the field and Cardaso went to full back. From the off Grimsby attacked on mass. Quickly into the opponents half the first score of the second half went to Ian Mcdonald after Phil Harsthorn had barged his way close to the line , a quick penalty was taken to Mcdonald who as always 5 metres out is a nightmare to stop. The conversion was kicked by Lee Burke 24-7. The next score was For Clem Cardaso who had no room to work in and the entire Rasen pack to go through, should have been impossible but not when you have turbo charged feet as the big man Clem does. After about six side steps he burst through the line to score from 50 metres out. Conversion missed 29-3. The next score was another long range effort. A quick penalty was taken by Ben Holt who saw a clear overlap down the left wing. He hit the supporting Slosmanis who spun out a miss pass to Dymond. He dummied as if to go committing the Rasen centres to him, but shipped it to the supporting Bristow he too drew the last Rasen defender to him before giving a well weighted pass to Nick Dale who had a 60 metre sprint for the line. The conversion was kicked 36-3. Long range tries seemed to be contagious as the next one was another from Grimsby 's own 22. A scrum was won against the head by O'Brian the ball was shipped out quickly to the backs and Mike Burton showed a pair of clean heels to the tiring Rasen defence to score under the posts. Lee Burke kicked his fourth conversion to take the final score to 43-3.
A good hard game that too the most part was played in the right spirit. The man of the match was closely fought between the two centres Bristow and Burton who covered every blade of grass in defence and attack.
HAT-TRICK hero Mike Lentz has hailed Grimsby 2nd XV's fledgling centre partnership as "unstoppable" following the Blues' weekend demolition of Pocklington.
The South African batter ing-ram helped himself to a hat-trick of tries as the Blues' second-string ran out 65-14 winners at Springfield Road on Saturday. And he heaped praise on his flourishing partnership with namesake Mike Burton. He said: "We're really getting an understanding now, and the partnership is building. "He's the best centre-partner I have played with in this team, and we are going to be unstoppable." Not to be outdone, Burton grabbed a brace, and said he was settling into his new role. He said: "I have only been playing for two years, and haven't really stayed in one position. "But I think centre is it for me for now."
Team manager Nick Dale agreed. He said: "I don't think I'll be splitting those two up for a while now."
Grimsby flew out of the blocks and never let a shell-shocked Pocklington settle. Fly-half Leigh Burke charged down his opposite number's cleareance kick and dotted down to open the floodgates. Number Eight Jan Slosmanis bagged a brace and lock Ian MacDonald drove over to extend the lead. Lentz notched his first before the break to leave Pocklington overwhelmed. After the turnaround the Bruise Brothers - centres Burton and Lentz - took control, adding another four tries. Winger Ricky Robinson grabbed two to himself to seal the deal. The Yorkshire side's only source of solace was a try at the death of either half.
Yet again Grimsby second team perform a miracle!!!! The previous week they had played with a full 15 and were soundly trounced. This week they travelled over the Humber with just nine players and WON!! Hessle were very sporting to the visiting team and after a quick search for spare kit five spectators were roped into the Grimsby side. With so many new faces the decision was made to try and keep away from set pieces and play an open expansive game. This was done with some aplomb!!! What then transpired was probably the best 80 minutes of rugby the Grimsby second team have played all year.
Grimsby went on the offensive from the very start. Showing their intention to play open rugby and enjoy the day. From a scrum in their own 22 Mike Lenz took a lovely angle back up the short side making a full 60 metres before being tackled. The ball was rooked over and then went through every pair of backs hands to the on loan Hessle number 8 playing for Grimsby . He powered his way over in the corner and seemed genuinely pleased that he had scored against his own club. The conversion was missed making the score 0-5. The restart saw Grimsby play some great rugby that was a pleasure to watch. After several phases of play Hessle were sucked in leaving Dymond and Evans with a 2 on 1 overlap 20 metres out. Evans draw the one defender out wide with a bending run committing the one defender to him. Allowing Dymond to throw a simple dummy and jog in for the second try. The conversion was again missed 0-10 Grimsby . The furious pace and slight slope started to tell on the Grimsby side and Hessle began to make some inroads but good defence kept the score the same till half time.
Now with a slight slope in their favour Grimsby really stepped up a gear. From the kick off Grimsby 's captain fantastic showed the way to his players barging through several would be tacklers to start the half with a bang. The Hessle number 8 who up to that point had been their best player had to leave the field with a serious wound to his mouth. This did not bode well for the home team. A reshuffle saw one of the players who had been playing for Grimsby change sides. Giving the home team a one man advantage. But this still didn't stop Grimsby from playing all the rugby. Mike Burton then started to run rings round the opposition. From his own 22 he broke out of defence. Handed off one then another defender he broke over the half way line the full back was sold a dummy and he was screaming towards the corner. The pacy left wing for Hessle was able to make a tackle but Burton wasn't going to be stopped and simply carried the would be tackler over with him. A truly great 70 metre try. From out wide the conversion was missed 0-15 to Grimsby . The next try was to be from even further out. From a 5 metre scrum Lee Burke dummied a kick then passed to Mike Lenz on the blind side. He broke through the home team defence. Dan Evans was in support and took the ball on further. He committed the last man too him before releasing Burton to score his second try in quick succession, the conversion was missed 0-22. The Grimsby forwards were now rampant Greg Robson, Steve O'brian and Joe Davies seemed to be everywhere in attack and defence. Clem Cardoso may only be 57 and ten stone wet through but he has the heart of a lion and thought nothing off squaring up to the biggest man on the pitch after he was weggied, stuff of legend that boy. Grimsby extended the lead through a forwards try. A driving maul saw Davies secure the ball at the back and drive his fellow forwards on ten metres to score. Yet again the conversion was missed 0-25 to Grimsby . The last score came from man of the match Mike Lenz who hit the line like a South African rhino battering opposition tacklers out of the way to score. If only his fellow country men had shown the same straight running the previous week when they played England ! From in front of the posts Lee Burke kicked the conversion giving the final score of 0-32 to Grimsby .
A good moral boost for Grimsby who over the last few weeks seemed to have forgotten how to enjoy their rugby. Mike Lenz got man of the match but it was a close run thing between himself and Greg Robson. Everyone who played deserves a big hand for the style and manner of the rugby played. Lastly a big thank you to Hessle for giving players to Grimsby enabling the game to be played at all.
Seconds suffer
GRIMSBY RUFC 2nd XV came up against their toughest opponents of the season so far and were blown away in a second half of 37 unanswered points. The Blues started positively when a kick and chase down the right from Dan Evans forced a penalty five metres out. The quick tap released inside-centre Mike Lentz to batter his way through two tackles for a try. But that was as good as it got for the home side. They relinquished their 10-3 lead and from 35 minutes began haemorrhaging points. Poor tackling and sloppy set pieces continually put them under pressure. And an organised Hornsea duly punished the visitors, with slick set moves scything the Blues' defence apart. A match that began a close contest withered into a humiliation as the visitors ticked the scoreboard over the half century mark to make it 54-10.
Rasen inflict Blues' first Merit defeat
GRIMSBY RUFC 2nds slipped to a demoralising first defeat in the Lincolnshire Merit League at Market Rasen and Louth 2nds. Another disappointing display, dominated by a scrappy forwards battle, the Blues' second string huffed and puffed, but failed to blow the house down. Camped on the Rasen line for extended periods of the first half, Grimsby lacked the killer instinct to break the deadlock. A 50-yard rolling maul following a clean take at the lineout from Joe Davis should have brought more reward. But the excellent platform was wasted, and the chance lost. Centre Mike Lens broke the line with pace, only to touch down five yards short of the line. With no markings on the pitch, the South African was not the only one to think he had opened the scoring. The referee awarded the try, only to realise Lens was short of the posts. A reversed decision marked a lucky escape for Rasen. Indiscipline saw Rasen go in 3-0 up at the break, an easy penalty converted from under the posts. Grimsby were lucky the deficit was not greater as consistent infringement went unpunished by the Rasen stand-off. Rasen registered the first try in the second period. Poor defence following a clearance kick saw the winger waltz through a non-existent line to increase the lead. Rasen added another penalty before the Blues hauled themselves back into contention. Centre James Martin cut the line in broken play, powerfully forcing his way to the line. The kick was converted to narrow the deficit to four points. Despite sustained pressure the Blues struggled to make any openings. Poor decision-making and scrappy fringe play gifted Rasen the points. Rasen played out the last few minutes, sealing the contest.
Danny at the double for Blues
GRIMSBY RUFC 2nds failed to repeat their Driffield heroics and win with a depleted team against Skegness at home on Saturday. The Blues' second string, who won the previous week despite being down to 12 men, found themselves reduced to 13 at one stage as a second-half sending off and sin-bin left Dean Dymond's side weakened once more. A volatile 'friendly' erupted on 60 minutes. Back-rower Ronnie Holt was shown yellow for a scuffle with a Skegness prop and, in the ensuing fracas, Grimsby prop Bruce Roberts attracted a darker coloured card. The visitors controlled possession in a scrappy match. After five minutes the ball was shipped right to Dan Evans who shook off three tackles and touched down for a try 10 metres in. Half-way through the half, Skegness squandered an attacking opportunity by dropping the ball on the Grimsby 22. Right-wing Evans picked up and burst through a gap. He waited for support and passed to inside-centre Mike Lens, who took a tackle and went to ground. Evans was still on hand to gather a pop-pass and race away for his second try. But injuries to penetrative centre Tony Bristow and juggernaut Vinny Thornton halted the momentum. A penalty from the visitors made it 10-3 at half time, and triggered a rollicking from Grimsby captain Dymond. But it had little effect as an off-the-pace pack and uninspired back line were hit by two converted tries from Skegness. Back to 14 men, the Blues finished strongly though - a characteristic of the season so far. A late tap penalty on the visitors' 22 set Dymond loose to charge towards the posts. An off-load to the in-form lock Ian Macdonald resulted in a converted try to level the match.
Deano's Heroes
Travelling away to a team that plays its rugby one league higher than you is never easy but to then travel one player down really does handicap a side. Or so you would think but not Grimsby second team it doesn't, this was a boy's own tale of heroic deeds.
Grimsby were the first to score after only a few minutes. After some good defensive work from Bristow and Lens the ball was spilled by the home team's winger. Dan Evans then picked up and raced away showing great pace to round the covering defence. The conversion was missed making the score 5-0 to Grimsby . Driffield came back at Grimsby but didn't seem the same team that had thrashed a Grimsby second slash thirds 67-0 only three weeks before. The ball was kicked at the Grimsby forwards but wasn't taken which put pressure on the Grimsby backs the ball was kicked but it failed to find touch. The home side capitalised on this by scoring under the posts which made the conversion a formality 7-5 to the home side. The home team were on the attack straight away and were soon back in Grimsby 's 22. The Grimsby full back kicked the ball down field to clear the lines but was prevented from putting the away side's players onside because a Driffield player was pulling him back while he didn't have the ball. This was missed by the referee and allowed the home side to yet again score under the posts. Conversion kicked 14-5 to the home side. This is were teams normally buckle and roll over not so Deano's heroes who have steel through to core. For the next 20 minutes Grimsby defended their try line like their lives depended on it and the score stayed the same till half time.
With a slight slope now in Grimsby 's favour they began their try feast. Attack is the best form of defence and this was proved by the away team who never took a step backwards. The first try went to Lee Burke who kicked through and was on hand to score after a great chase from Mike Burton and Evans secured the ball. The kick was missed to make the score 14-10. Grimsby then lost Matt Barker who had made some great runs but suffered a knee injury. Grimsby were now going to have to play 2 men short. No problems for this side though as they by this time were rampant. Every man to a one took on the extra work required. The next try saw forwards and backs link together and the ever youthful Ian Macdonald bust his way over for a great try,14-15 to Grimsby . Both teams were then reduced by one player for technical fowls but this affected Driffield more than Grimsby . From a scrum on the half way line Dymond picked up and broke left making 30 metres before being tackled. He popped the ball up to the supporting Ben Holt who quickly chipped the ball on good pressure saw the defenders make a hash off tidying it up, allowing Mike Lens to touch down for a well deserved try. The conversion was kicked by Lee Burke to make the score 14-22. the home side then threw the kitchen sink at Grimsby trying to get back into the game but to no avail as Grimsby's 12 men were on a mission. The home sides dangerous scrum half broke well but got isolated and was promptly cut in half by Burke and Dymond the ball was turned over and shipped backwards and forwards across the pitch by Grimsby before the sprightly figure of Steve O'Brian went over for a try. Having come close on two previous occasions he showed his obvious pleasure. The kick was made by Ricky Robinson to make the score 14-29. Driffield now realised they were no match for the all conquering dirty dozen and barely raised a challenge in the last 10 minutes.
A truly great result for the second team proving that when they all pull together as one unit that they have nothing to fear in their merit league. I wait with baited breath to see what they can do with a full 15 against Skegness next week. Match guest J.Hammond chose Dan Evans and Mike Burton as the pick of the Grimsby players.
Grimsby Two's lose out at Goole!
Team: Thornton , O'Brien, Roberts, Dodson, MacDonald, Burton , Mulder, Holt (Snr), Waudby, Burke, Dale, Lentz, Bristow, Flemming, Robinson, Hartshorn & Little.
Grimsby Two's lost out at Goole in the Yorkshire Merit I League, losing by 13 points. Final score was Grimsby 20 Goole 33.
Annoyingly, the referee was 30 mins late for this game, and even though it was the same for both teams, it disrupted the first 10 mins of the game, as both teams struggled to find any rhythm . There was a strong wind blowing down the pitch from right to left in Goole's favour, and once they got their hands on the ball their No. 10 started to use it, to pin Grimsby back into their own 22 on every occasion. Grimsby defended to a man for the first 25 mins, preventing Goole from crossing their line, but it was only a matter of time before Goole got the scoreboard ticking over. Their forwards started to dominate and 3 trys and 3 conversions were scored by their rampant forwards in the last 15 mins of the half, despite some manful tackling by our back row of Holt, Burton and the diminutive Mulder.
The half time discussion focused on using the wind to our advantage, and even though we were 21 0 down, the wind was worth at least 20 points. Burke re-started and it was now our turn to apply the pressure. With 5 minutes gone, Vinny Thornton crashed over from 5 out, following some good recycling by the pack, to get Grimsby on the board, but with the wind starting to swirl, a difficult conversion was missed. More of the same followed, this time with the forwards producing quick ball, following some impressive continuity, enabling Michael Lentz from inside center, to exploit a gap and go in for another 5 on his debut for the blues. Again the extra two were missed.
Goole started to get niggled as what looked like an unassailable lead at half time started to diminish. One of their back row players had to be substituted following a nasty rip to his ear, shortly followed by their No. 9 being sin binned for killing the ball. Grimsby took advantage again, this time with Bruce Roberts finding the line, following some good all round mauling from the pack. Once again the conversion was missed, however with 6 points now the difference, it was Grimsby 's game for the taking or so we thought.
With the wind, easing and the pressure mounting, another Goole player went to the bin, again for killing the ball, however Grimsby couldn't find the line. As the clocked ticked down, Goole started to believe in themselves again, and with some help from the Ref, mounted some counter attacks. It was from one of these attacks, that Andy Lott, a converted Grimbarian and their No 8 combined well from a lineout to score a well deserved try, once again the conversion was taken and Goole's lead was back to 13 points, meaning two tries and a conversion where needed in the last 15 mins.
The Blues came straight back however, with the best try being left to last. Rick Robinson from full back collected a clearance kick on his 22, and returned it with interest. The speedy 15, chased it down and managed to fly hack it on again. Goole were to slow to respond, with Rick just managing to dive on the ball, over their line before the covering defense caught him again the conversion was missed!
The last 10 minutes petered out as a Rugby display, with both teams arguing with the Ref for some strange decisions. Unfortunately the blue's Captain Ronnie Holt became too much of a challenge for the Ref, and was given a yellow card for arguing. With Ronnie off the field, Goole took a tap penalty and scored again to finish off the game, with to be fair a deserved win on the day.
On a positive note, a number of players really excelled on the day, none more so than Ian MacDonald. This team have the potential to win all their games, as they have strength in depth, but they need to be patient and believe in their own ability.
Both sides agreed that the Refs performance was below standard, however he was as bad for both sides, and the blues need to focus on playing Rugby , rather than competing against both the Ref and their opposition.
Team: Hartsorn, O'Brien, Carr, Diamond (Capt), Thornton , Burton , Mulder, Holt, Waudby, Burke, Bristow, Dufton, Draper, Dale, Flemming
Grimsby 2 nd 's traveled to Scunthorpe for the first fixture of this year's season to play their 3 rd 's in a double Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Merit table game. With 6 players moving up to the 1 st XV, it was going to be a difficult first fixture, but the players have trained hard during the closed season and if they could prevent Scunthorpe 's big pack from dominating, then a win was always possible.
With the weather being more suitable to a game of cricket, it was obvious that fitness would play a part, and as the game unraveled, Grimsby 's conditioning proved itself.
Grimsby kicked off, and Scunthorpe started recycling slow ball through their forwards. Both sides made uncharacteristic mistakes during the opening exchanges, and no team really took control. Grimsby 's forwards managed to hold their own at both line out and scrum, however Scunthorpe dominated the maul. It was from a persistent period of pressure, that Scunthorpe scored the opening try from 5 meters out, when their big scrum half took a crash ball from his forwards and charged in. The conversion was missed.
More of the same ensued from the re-start, however Grimsby were determined to get into the game and it was from excellent defensive work that their first try came. Scunthorpe won a scrum on the half way line, and shipped the ball out to their backs. Grimsby 's center pairing of Tony Bristow and Kev Dufton quickly closed down their attack, with Kev putting in a huge hit on his opposite number. He spilled the ball backwards, however the ever-youthful Ronnie Holt was first there to clean up and pop pass to Nick Dale . Nick cut inside and passed to Mike Burton coming on a straight run at pace, who then shrugged off three, would be tacklers, only to be stopped 5 meters out. Staying on his feet, he managed to slip the ball to David Waudby, who took out another defender to crash over the line. Lee Burke slotted the conversion to give Grimsby a 7 5 lead.
Scunthorpe came straight back into the game again, with their huge No. 8, finishing off another strong forward drive, however the kick was missed again. Scunthorpe should have closed the game out from here, as they continued to dominate up front, forcing Grimsby onto the back foot. Grimsby 's only defense was to be continually caught infringing, however the three penalties that ensued were all missed by a poor kicking performance from their No. 10.
With the half time whistle beckoning, Grimsby again caused Scunthorpe to spill the ball in attack. Once again the younger side got to it first, and it was Waudby, who returned the earlier favour, popping off to Burton to allow the mobile No. 6 to canter over for our second try. Burke again converted to leave Grimsby leading by 14 10 at half time.
Scunthorpe changed out their No. 10 at half time, and he immediately made an impact, clearing his lines with ease, and from a penalty some 35 meters out, easily slotted the ball to bring them right back into the game. The half then became scrappy, with the heat of the day starting to tell on both sides. Many penalties were conceded by both teams for basic infringements, and neither team looked capable of breaking this mould, to finish off the game. Fitness, however prevailed in the end, with 5 minutes remaining, Grimsby found themselves under continual pressure in their 22m, however following a clever change in direction, Burke slipped around to the blind side from a scrum half pass, and put Kev Dufton and Henry Draper in a bit of space. Both players charged down field, with would be tacklers bouncing off Kev, whilst Henry was on his shoulder awaiting the pass. In the end however, Kev didn't need him and crossed the line, with half of Scunthorpe trying to hold him back. Once again Burke slotted for an excellent 21 13 victory.
Man of the match was awarded to the diminutive Clem Mulder, a young South African who joined the Club this year. By far the smallest player on the field, he tackled everything in front of him from open side flanker, and showed a fantastic commitment to getting stuck in for his new club.
Out thanks also go to Jim Saunders, who took charge of the game from the middle. Unusually for derby games, no yellow or red cards were prevalent, thanks to Jim's authoritive performance.
Finally it is a fond farewell to Joel Carr, he is leaving Grimsby to start a new job in Sweden this month. Joel has come up through the Junior ranks and was unlucky not to achieve Midlands status whilst an under 17 player. He will be sorely missed by the Club, however we hope he will eventually return to our sunnier climb and find his well worn boots again.