The first league match of 2005 saw Grimsby gain revenge over Belgrave with a 40-26 victory, although the score tended to flatter the home side as the Leicester club competed well all game.
In the previous meeting the Belgrave forwards had completely ruled the roost, so the Grimsby selection policy was to try and minimise that threat, especially in the front row, so the specialist frame of Thornton mad a welcome return after injury. This was to be an important feature, as Belgrave lost their advantage, and the superior Grimsby backs were given space to run free.
The first try was a beauty, with a strong scrum allowing plenty of time for Knight to get the ball out. It was passed down the line until Cairns came roaring in on a nice angle to burst through the defence and touch down under the sticks. Saunders added the extras.
Belgrave played themselves back into the game with a series of strong mauls, another of their effective weapons, but they seemed to be lacking the penetration of the previous game. The ball was turned over and Davis kicked to clear or so he thought! The ball fell into the hands of the Belgrave winger who ran back at pace, although tackled, he made the ball available for the Belgrave 10 to chip ahead, with the result of the Belgrave centre, Lavin, wining the chase to touch down. The conversion attempt was missed.
This rattled Grimsby slightly, and a number of poor decisions and bad options were taken, allowing Belgrave to settle into a pattern. However, a lineout 35 metres from the line saw Newman take a nice ball, and an almost identical move from earlier saw Cairns howl through the defensive line once more to record a carbon copy of his first try. Saunders once more successfully converted.
Belgrave tried to strike back, but started to throw the ball out too freely, and from one such pass West was able to sneak in and intercept. The nippy winger was eventually brought down, but from the ensuing ruck Edwards started to head for the posts and only a despairing tap tackle saw him prevented for scoring. A quick pop up saw Newman take the ball on and score in the corner. Saunders missed the difficult kick.
This seemed to relax Grimsby , and Belgrave put a number of good charges together. This, alongside Grimsby giving away numerous penalties, allowed the visitors to work their way into the Grimsby 22, and after a quick tap penalty was taken, the Belgrave 10 was able to score under the posts. He also converted his own try.
Grimsby refused to allow Belgrave the final say of the half, and after Lightning Stuart Saunders spotted a telegraphed move deep in his own half, the human dynamo sprinted 20 metres to intercept the ball and set off for the line. With only the full back to beat, Saunders unselfishly drew the man and then fed the supporting West who scored under the posts. Saunders added the extra 2 points and the half was over.
The second half saw a slight reshuffle as the doddering legs of Kempthorne were replaced with the sprightly gait of Burke. Unfortunately Burkes sprightly gait saw him yellow carded just 3 minutes into the half for a technical offence, and the young lock was sent to the sin bin for a 10 minute reflection upon his actions. As Grimsby hastily tried to rearrange their side, the Belgrave number 8 Garner took a quick tap and scored under the posts. Bowen added the conversion.
Grimsby were in disarray, and as Belgrave drove deep into their 22, Norman was also awarded a yellow for preventing a quick penalty being taken. This put the home side down to 13 men, and Belgrave could sniff the direction of the game turning. The remaining Grimsby players realised that they had to massively increase their work rate, and the next 10 minutes were a revelation to behold as tackle after tackle were made. Slowly, the visitors were forced back, with good runs from Knight, Newman and Barker pinning them back, until a nice dummy and step from Pharaoh saw the Grimsby fly half break away to score under the posts. Saunders converted and Burke was then able to rejoin the fray.
Belgrave still refused to give up, and their forwards continued to make good inroads, popping the ball to each other and generally showing good ball retention skills. A series of strong rucks and mauls saw them awarded a scrum 5 metres from the Grimsby line. The home side held out against a strong drive, but the Belgrave 9, Kyle, picked up from the base and was able to score. Bowen once more added the extra points.
Norman also rejoined the game, and with the Blues back to a full contingent the Belgrave supply of ball petered out. Grimsby started to put phases together, and a quick ball out wide saw draper take it on, break 2 tackles and them outpace the covering defence for a nice try under the posts. Saunders converted.
Lowery joined the game shortly after this, with Cairns having to leave the pitch with an ankle injury. The change failed to disrupt the Grimsby defence, although Belgrave were able to add to their tally when Kyle scored his second after several phases of quick recycling of the ball. As the conversion was taken, the match official blew for full time.
This was a hard fought encounter, between 2 teams both determined to establish their dominance. This season has seen the first 2 encounters with Belgrave, and seen the honours shared 1-1. With both sides guaranteed to be in the same league next season, it is a fitting result, and both sides will look forward to locking horns in the future.