Meltham All Blacks
Match Reports
Sunday 17th December 2006
Meltham All Blacks Under 8’s – Away at Slaithwaite
Slaithwaite 6 - Meltham 26
What a difference a week makes, conditions this week for the All Blacks were extremely hard, but they stepped up to the challenge as usual. It was a very muddy and wet pitch which led to a very exciting game with very few handling errors considering the slippery conditions. Christian Pestell was the first to score after receiving the ball just before the half way line, after intercepting a ball from the Saracens which he converted. With Saracens scoring a try in the corner after swift handling, Jordan Williams (man of the match and top tackler) scored for Meltham to make it 6 -12 at half time.
The Saracens undefeated in at least 8 of their last games were an organised and well drilled side, and played the ball swiftly. It takes a quality side to win and the Meltham All Blacks worked tirelessly and were in control of the game throughout. What a fantastic team effort, Alex Zatorski's strong running making good yards up field, Tom Hindle, Molly Doyle and Ryan White tackling for all they are worth. George Sykes-Kenworthy, Lewis Bull and Jordan James improving week on week, Darren Walker back to his best converting Christian's second try, with brilliant foot-work from Stephen Tooley and Jack Clifford. Tries in the second half from Jordan (2) and Christian rounding off with his hat-trick, a well deserved victory.
Meltham All Blacks Under 9’s – Away at Newsome
Newsome 28– Meltham 30
Due to some key players, having prior commitments, Meltham took a weakened side the short trip to Newsome. Playing up the slope in the first half they were soon trailing 16-0, but with all the players working hard in defence and George Doyle having his best game of the season, making eleven excellent tackles which earned him the most improved player of the week award Meltham began to get their game going.
The boys finally got the breakthrough they were looking for when Michael Tooley set off for the line and no one was going to stop his strong run.
In the second half Meltham’s defence was a lot tighter and it wasn’t long before Michael Tooley got his second try.
The strong running of Daniel king and Jacob Glover (player of the week) made Newsome load up the centre of the pitch in defence and this allowed top tackler Jack Evans to weave and step his way over for a try to put Meltham right back in the game at 22-18.
With Cory Mc Donagh and Ryan Hirst making Newsome work hard in defence the home team looked to tire which allowed the Man of the Match Oliver Szlachcic to find space out wide to give Meltham the lead for the first time. With very little time remaining Newsome regained the lead.
Meltham only had one chance left and with some strong forward runs, set up Oliver Szlachcic to become the hero for Meltham when he shot out of acting half on the last tackle to score in the corner. At 28-28 all the pressure was on Daniel King to convert Oliver’s try for victory which he did to round off a great team performance.
Tries were scored by Michael Tooley (2), Oliver Szlachcic (2) and Jack Evans
Conversion was scored by Daniel King (3). Jack Evans and Oliver Szlachcic
Meltham All Blacks Under 10’s – Away at Emley
Emley 14 – Meltham 30
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Meltham travelled to Emley to play a side they had comfortably beaten earlier in the season, but on home ground Emley were no pushover and despite never being in the lead they had Meltham’s normally reliable defence flat footed on numerous occasions and it wasn’t until halfway through the second half that Meltham were in the comfort zone.
However the All blacks ball handling skills and attacking play continues to improve week on week, and this was in particular evidence with Meltham’s third try of the game where the ball was worked from the half way line and the full width of the pitch, before being worked back to the centre where Luke Pogson (Player of the Week) crossed the line to score the second of his five trys of the day.
During this move the ball passed through at least five pairs of hands, and was easily the try of the season so far.
The forwards again showed great grit and determination breaking down the Emley defence to set up try scoring opportunities, in particular Jack Parkin was on fire, making some terrific storming runs through the centre of the Emley defence gaining important yardage, and for this hard work was rewarded with a fine try and the Man of the Match Award.
Tries were scored by Luke Pogson (5), Jack Parkin
Conversion was scored by Lewis Evans, Luke Pogson, and Greg Thompson
Meltham All Blacks Under 11’s – No Match
Meltham All Blacks Under 12’s – Away at West Bowling
West Bowling 10 - Meltham 16.
Meltham once again conceded home advantage due to a waterlogged pitch, but it doesn't seem to be causing them any problems as they put in a terrific display against second placed West Bowling, to leap frog them in the table.
Meltham didn't have things all there own way conceding 2 early trys due to some very good handling by Bowling. This proved to be a wake up call for the Meltham side stepping up there defence to cancel out any further West Bowling attacks. As the game progressed the power of the Meltham forwards began to take its toll. Patrick Diavewa and Sam Whitwam were proving a real handful, and just before the break Michael Holmes powered over from close range, George king converted.
In the second period the quick play's by Sam Rochford from marker allowed Meltham's attack to gain the upper hand. The second try was scored after a quick play was passed through several pairs of hands to the ever improving Jack Thompson to race in from 20m out to level the scores. With 10 minutes remaining Toby King took the Ball from second receiver and gave a superb dummy to slide in under the posts. George King converted to complete the scoring. Top Tackler was Sam Rochford and man of the match was Patrick Diavewa.
Meltham All Blacks Under 13’s – No Match