All Blacks fail to dominate match

Grimsby scored twice in the first 10 minutes, but then the All Blacks came into the game and Shaun Parker put them on the scoreboard with a penalty.

There were other chances for penalty points but the decision was always for lineouts and territory but unfortunately this pressure was not turned into points and the Grimsby side scored again before half-time to lead by a scoreline of 19-3 at the interval.

It could be said that Gainsborough won the second half five points to three but that would not tell the full story.

The home side threw everything at the visitors and were pegged back on every occasion.

Nothing went for Gainsborough and all 50-50 decisions seemed to go the other way and after a disagreement between the players they had one player red-carded.

But the All Blacks do not give up and showed real resilience, scoring an unconverted try before losing another player to the bin for 10 minutes.

Nathan Hymer Bates was the Man of the Match, but Ross Duncan ran him a close second and put in a sound performance for his first full game in the first XV.

The final score will peg back the march to the top of the Merit League but the game has given the coaches something to work on and the sending off will give another player the opportunity to play in the first team for at least three weeks.

Creswell 39

Gainsborough Maoris 10

THE Maoris travelled to Creswell knowing the game would be difficult but did not expect to come against their first team and 22 strong players with a roll-on, roll-off substitution situation in place.

Creswell took the lead straight form the kick off but Oliver Nicholl and Matt Hulley sorted out their players and the defence became more organised and they mounted attacks against the host’s line.

The Maoris ran at every opportunity and asked some serious questions of the home defence, but Creswell scored with a breakaway try and did the same again just before half-time. Mark Goude replied for the Maoris with a well-taken penalty and 14-3 scoreline at half-time was a very good performance.

The second half was a different story as Gainsborough had travelled with 15 players and Creswell had 22 and they were able to freshen up.

They ran in five tries throughout the half but the score would have been higher if it had not been for some tremendous defensive work by the Gainsborough side, Chris Carr did cross the line and Mark Goude converted to give them an additional seven points.

The Man of the Match award went to Chris Carr who, along with Zak, another newcomer, had a tremendous game, Matt Hulley was the cornerstone in the backs and Darren Gagg and Shane Ellis were the strength that kept the forwards going.

Next week the All Blacks travel to Retford and the Maoris entertain Lincs.