All Blacks are well beaten at Horncastle

GAINSBOROUGH All Blacks travelled to Horncastle well prepared for the game but, despite the players giving it their all, they could not bridge the two-league gap between themselves and the hosts.

Horncastle were determined to stamp their authority on this game.

They are a very well-drilled side who respond perfectly to the calls of their coach and this game was no exception as they ran through the All Blacks within a minute.

They scored another after five minutes and they were 19-0 in front after 10 minutes.

However, credit to the team and especially their captain, they re-grouped, started to play to their strengths and made a real game of it.

The forwards started to dominate the home side especially in the set piece at srummage and line-out. Dodsley was superb in the line-out, but it was from a maul that the All Blacks produced their first score when the forward kept the ball up and drove to the Horncastle line and prop forward James Taylor touched down, but this was a try for the whole pack.

The All Blacks then totally shocked Horncastle when Daniel Chadwick ran through the home defence and touched down. Gainsborough were back in the game and gave Horncastle much to think about.

It could be that the speed of the game and the physical challenge of a side in a higher league took its toll in the first half because the second half saw Horncastle score all the points.

It was disappointing but the All Blacks could not get their backs moving with fluidity and Horncastle scored three converted tries to take the game by a convincing scoreline.

Horncastle are now in the final of this Lincolnshire competition and it is hoped that the All Blacks have learned from the experience.

There are some positives in the defeat, the main one being the outstanding performance of Daniel Chadwick who was the Gainsborough Man of the Match.

His powerful running, never-say-die spirit and wonderful tackling are all part of what makes a really good rugby player, and this game came on the back of a midweek performance for Lincolnshire Development XV played at Newark against Notts and Derbyshire.

Chadwick is a young man who is a credit to Gainsborough Rugby Club.

The other positive was the work put in by the tight five and especially the second rows of Gagg and Nichol who never gave up trying to win ball.

It was not to be on this day but providing performances stay this way the club will continue its progress through to the end of this season and into next.

On Saturday the All Blacks travel to North Hykeham and the Maoris are in the pool, both games kick-off at 3pm.