Great team effort by experienced Maoris side sees them overwhelm Ollerton

Ollerton II XV 19

Gainsborough Maoris 36

GAINSBOROUGH Maoris travelled to Ollerton with a strong squad captained by Nathan Mitchel which contained many players with first team experience and there was a good blend of old and young.

They were pleased to welcome back Rob Morley and Casey O’Conner, both past regular players who have now returned to action, but it was another player who has returned to the fold who took the eye this week.

Wayne Sandal, who has just spent two years at Scunthorpe, played a superb game for the Maoris at inside centre, scored two tries and walked off with the man of the match award into the bargain.

The Gainsborough side never really looked like losing this game but it is also fair to say that Ollerton dominated the first half.

For 20 minutes honours were even and then the hosts crossed the line to really wake up the Gainsborough lads.

Within three minutes of the Ollerton score Andy Turner burst through and touched down and Mark Goude converted making the score 7-7.

Gainsborough then went in front with an unconverted try by Wayne Sandall but Ollerton finished the half stronger and in front after they had scored a converted try to lead by two points.

The Maoris started the second half well and scored their first try after total forward dominance, the pack pushing over and Mark Goude converting.

The next score was Sandal’s second and followed a superb piece of rugby.

The ball came out of a ruck, good ground was made by Oliver Nichol before Paul Hooton took up the challenge, passed out to Sandall who made space to speed past the opposition and touch down.

He converted his own try.

Mark Goude capped a solid performance with an individual try reminiscent of his playing days seven years earlier and the final points were courtesy of a try touched down by Aaron on his debut.

The Man of the Match award went to Wayne Sandall for a fine all-round game, but it must be said this victory was very much a team effort.

Waterland was sound at the back, Hooton had a fine game at number eight and Mike Nicholls and Darren Gagg both had solid performances in the pack.