Coyote Match Report: Maruaders dispatch the Valley Griffins 36-7

Coach Stids took his place on the sideline for the first official warm up game motivating a strong looking Marauders team to continue their preparation for a long covid-hit season ahead (hopefully).

The boys have a familiar looking team all the usual faces lining up from Matty (c), New Greg, Asad K, returning captain Dougy (c) partnering Willie "I don't listen to calls off kick off" Binmeister, a strong loose trio of Rodders, Channy boy, AJ. The usual backs were fortunate to welcome some quality out wide as Tom P looked to continue his try scoring exploits, Jason assuming the role of 15 and Matty W dominating the right wing. Fortunately the team is now sprinkled with some up and coming talent gin the shape of our now favourite American Asad and young Chezzy. A ridiculously strong bench of Kaiwan, French Greg, Dayts McGee, Phippsy, Trafdog, DeweyLau, everyone's second favourite bogan Punchy, Swinger Chris, Alan "big boots to fill" Chen, John "step for days" Kolbe and the most NB man in any squad - club legend Willie Chen!

Departing Stalwart Dayton was given a rousing rendition of "God save our freedom and guns", the Carolina state anthem, just before kick off and the boys were ready to go.

The kick was received and we set about building phases and probing some gaps. Ball retention was great. Binnie, Whitty and Roddy leading the charge with pods of twos and threes doing exactly as Stiddles was asking. We quickly surged forward and after some great work from the forwards, the backs were into their stride. A few draw-and-passes later, the usual Irish spin, step and offload by backline captain Connor Slats, and young Tom was over in the corner. First possession, 37 phases later and first blood. Kick missed. 5-0

Ball received again, after a slight mix up, the Marauders got a lucky midfield scrum after one of the Valley boys knocked on., The perfect platform for the Commonwealth-Axis Forces to makes its move. AJ off the back into space, perfect draw and pass to Marc Stonerwitsch to offload to Lut Cameron through the gap. Unfortunately only stiff arms 3 people as tackling around the legs was attempted, offloaded through the tackle to Rumble, offloaded to Stoner, who let that moustache guide him home. Try time. 10-0. Easy kick missed.

The Marauders were purring. Firmly camped in the opposition half, we set about building more phases and executing delicate chip and chases and the cross field bomb. At this stage, the key question was whether we would win a line out or score a try first. As it turns out, it was the try. A few missed Marauders lineouts, led to a penalty at a breakdown. Quick tap taken and try under the poles. 17-0 at the half.

Stids rolled out the replacements. Kawan and Dayts stayed on after good shifts , Coach Punch (warm and ready after Friday nights exploits in the age group levels), Little John, Big Binnie, you name it, stars everywhere!

We started the second half in good shape, using our tried and tested move, give the ball to Lut for him to dish out the 12th and 13th stiff arms of the day and canter in under the poles. 24-0.

Next up was our first real test. Valley kept the ball well and kept rolling forward. Short of fitness but not fight, the line was breached. A debut try for some French wanker. Felt like charity for the Marauders. Heads were up, positivity was instilled we were 24-7 up and ready to go.

DOTD - Rumble - psyched his boys up offering a nomination for the hit off kick off and proceeded to to kick off into his own half. Cries of leave it ignored, Traff was ready. A couple phases later he made it count. Good work from Lutty again led to a canter home for Traf and another meat pie under the poles. 31-7.

The last passage of play was more forward dominance, ball in hand, ball in the air, you name it, the boys were together. Big carries from AJ, Punchy, Dougy, and Asad got us in the opposition half. Big tackles from Alan and Tom kept us there. Penalty. Quick tap and try under the poles for the last movement of the game.

Dayton had his parting gift, a chance at redemption, a chance to finish his Marauders career with a 1/27 success rate. Here he was, ball facing backwards in its usual kicking position, ball scuffed, linesman laugh, Valley clap, 'c'est la vie' Greg muttered.

For his overall attacking game and constant menace the MOTM was given to Tom P. Forward MOTM on debut was Asad K. Sensational scrumming and all round game.

Final Score 36-7

MOTM: Tom P / Asad K
DOTD: Rumble - for his horse shit kick off

Tries:
Tom
Marc Stone
Nick Cameron
Trafford Blenkinsopp
Lawrence Rumble x2

Conversions:
Rumble 3/5
Dayton 0/1

Farewell Young Dayton Riddle the 6th! You will be missed. Good luck in your pro football career. The Panthers could use you.