All Blacks’ bogey side on top again

It was always going to be a tough match, Gainsborough have not beaten Grimsby II in the last five years and the 27-12 scoreline in favour of the visitors means they’re still searching for that elusive win.

The All Blacks were without vice captain Elliot Humphries who is out for three weeks, and were fielding a new centre partnership of Tom Bond and Daniel Dawson.

Mickie Nichol was promoted to his first start at tight head prop but James Taylor did come back to play some small part in the game.

The first half was dominated by the visitors and the half-time score was 12-5 to Grimsby.

Nathan Hymer Bates scored the Gainsborough try from a training ground move.

The second half did see some improvement from the All Blacks but it was not sufficient to save the day and new plans will be needed for next week.

Disaster struck for the hosts when constant bickering and appeals to the referee resulted in a sin bin for 10 minutes, five either side of half time.

The hosts playing with 14 men gave the visitors a great advantage and they never looked back.

Nicholls got the All Blacks’ second score.

Gainsborough Maori had a good first game at Lincoln, playing their fourth team, and came away with a respectable 27-7 defeat.

Another debutant, Tristton Buddy scored a first try for the club.

Next week there is only one game, at home to Rasen III in the merit table, and it’s a game the All Blacks will be desperate to win.

They will be without captain Vernon Goude with a foot injury and vice captain Humphries, but the club does have strength in depth to withstand these small knock backs.