MHRUFC Panthers v Newbold – U12’s 02-12-2018

that sadly only arrived with 9 players. Panthers impressive 17 strong squad was too weighted, and we volunteered four players to the visiting team so we could have a good game. Four MH boys stepped up without hesitation and will be commended rightly so later in this report.
The game kicked off and Newbold started strong, scored the first try and as the game progressed the visitors appeared to out play MH. The weather turned from a winters dazzling morning sun to a cold dark light drizzle. As the weather changed so did the game play, Panthers sorted their shape, moved the ball around the pitch much better and by half time that one try advantage from Newbold didn’t matter as MH had now scored four and Newbold remained on one.
It has to be said, the score did not represent the efforts by Newbold, their defending was something to be credited with. Panthers also did some fantastic late defending with a number of time Harry Fleet having to kick the ball under pressure off our line. Second half Newbold came bac k scoring three further tries, but MH also matched this with their three. The boys again self organised, communicated with each other on the pitch and this showed in the team play and something we encourage. Truly a close gripping game was watched by a well supported crowd and the final score was 7-4 to MH.
Game two was a shorter game with very much matched play from both teams, at half time it was a close 1-1. Second half Newbold managed to score a late try to make it two, which was great instinctively play where they chased down the ball from the kicker off the line, blocking and catching the ball to place down. That said MH score a further 4 throughout before this to finish the game 5-2 to MH and be the deserved winners.
I said I would mention the four boys who played for the opposition, and this has to take special notice. All four played without hesitation, gave 100% commitment and played with the true spirit of the game. Its hard to play for another shirt and play as if you still want to win the match against your own club. These four boys did this, and to be fair they all probably had one of the best games of the season so far. If it was possible to have more than one man of the match it would go to these four young gents, you are a credit to the club.
Thank you to Henry Buck, Drahm Plant, George Smith, & George Stankovich.