New Earswick All Blacks A travelled to Meltham All Blacks in the fifth Div of the Pennine League and came away with a well deserved 14- 26 win. Playing on a heavy water log pitch conditions were poor.
All Blacks A opened the scoring when Prop Forward Jack Stearman powered his way over for a well deserved try after being drafted in to the A Team at the last minute. Stand off Carl Fernandaz added the conversion. Meltham bounced straight back when the All Blacks failed to gather the ball from the restart allowing the home side to level the score. Ian Henderson finished off some good All Blacks passing to score an unconverted try to give All Blacks A an 6 - 10 half time lead.
The Second half saw Tom Dale who had his best game for the All Blacks this season scored a superb unconverted try against the run of play. Melthern once more bounced straight back with an unconverted try and continued pressure the All Blacks defence which was on top form. Forwards Sam Waite and Ben Fairburn at last began to make an impact causing Meltharn on to the back foot allowing scrum half Dan Elliott field position to score an unconverted try giving the All Blacks a 14 - 20 lead. Prop Jack Stearman who was outstanding throughout broke out of tackle after tackle to score from 25 yards out Carl Fernandaz this time successful with the conversion to take the All Blacks A onto a 14 -26 victory. Not a game for the faint hearted and for the conditions both teams has to be given credit and respect for what was a true winter game of Rugby League. Elliott Bridges took the Man Of the Match award for his outstanding defence, Jack Stearman Ady Robinson, and Robbie Beavers all played well but the pleasing aspect for Coach Carl Pallister was the over all team performance to take into next week Quarter Final clash at South Bradford. |
