Grimsby 38 Coalville 3
Grimsby continued their 100% record to the start of the new season by recording a well deserved victory against a good Coalville side at Springfield Road .
From the kick-off it was obvious that Coalville were no mugs and certainly knew how to play the game. Opening exchanges from both sides tested each others defence and was the visitors who were the first to infringe. From the lineout, quick ball was won in midfield and this allowed Bradley time and space to slot a drop goal. This kick-started the visitors into action and some solid defence from the Grimsby pack kept them at bay. Finally the blues backs were caught offside in front of the posts and the Coalville fly-half converted the penalty.
It was from that moment on that the Grimsby forwards began to assert themselves on the opposition both in the tight and around the field. Barracking runs from Burke and skipper Edwards constantly made inroads into the visiting defence. While solid scrimmaging put the Coalville team under pressure all game. An injury enforced a change and Martin moved from the wing into prop. From a lineout deep in the Coalville half, Grimsby drove the ball on and the ball ended up with Martin who crashed over the line dragging hordes of defenders with him. Saunders neatly added the conversion.
Coalville constantly tried to get their game going but at every attack they met ferocious defence from every man in a blue shirt. Newman constantly stole the ball, with stalwarts Barker and Kempthorne along with scrum-half Pharaoh were a constant thorn in the visitors side. Bradley also kept the visiting side pinned in their own half with booming kicks all game.
The next score came from a scrum won against the head, with the visiting defence in disarray, Pharaoh fed Bradley, who in turn fed Kevin and he finished in the corner. Saunders missed the conversion. Half time came and the visiting side knew that they were in for an uphill struggle in the second half.
Right from the restart Grimsby forwards again disrupted constantly and a wonderful solo run from Burke saw him bag the first of his brace. Saunders, getting closer all the time, narrowly missed the conversion.
Again with the Blue pack putting constant pressure on the opposition it forced them into errors. Skipper Edwards was rampant along with work-horse Norman . The next try came from a slice of luck. A kick from Bradley was charged down by a Coalville player but ended up in the arms of Pharaoh who raced away the 40 yards to out-strip the covering defence and score in the corner. Saunders' radar was finally plugged in and he added the conversion.
Saunders then added a further penalty and then Bradley added his second drop-goal of the afternoon after a scrum was again won against the head by the Grimsby pack and he coolly added the extra points.
The final try came from Burke. Again the tireless Blues players won a lineout smashed the ball into midfield and then quick recycling allowed Grimsby to make their territory count. From a driving maul Burke broke of the side and crashed through the defence knocking would be tacklers asunder and crossed the line for his second.
Fierce defence along with tireless effort and quality rugby saw Grimsby run out comfortable winners in this encounter. This week they make the long trip to Matlock looking to continue their successful new season in a new league.